So, I raced through Season One and Season Two of Downton Abbey, enjoying the Edwardian family saga immensely. The television series about The Earl and Countess of Grantham, their family and the lives of their servants in the fictional English Manor House of Downton Abbey became my new favorite show. But alas, Season Three is not yet available, and what to do to fill in the time until it arrives?

Below Stairs-The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey by Margaret Powell is a fun read.  A true story of Margaret’s life as a kitchen maid and then later as a cook in upper class households in England in the early 1920’s. The story is humorous as well as a vivid view of life as a servant during that time period.

Want an inside look at Highclere Castle, the place where the fictional, Downton Abbey is filmed?  Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle is the true story of the fifth Countess of Carnarvon, whose life Downton Abbey’s fictional Lady Cora Crawley was based upon.

Still want a little more insight into the characters, costumes, sets and actors of the show?  The World of Downton Abbey is a companion book to the television series which is filled with pictures and stories about the popular British show.

Did you fall in love with the wonderful score while watching the series? Clermont County Public Library has you covered with Downton Abbey (Original music from the television series) John Lunn’s original music performed by the Chamber Orchestra of London will bring the music of the series to your CD player.

A couple of DVDs Downton Abbey fans might enjoy are:  Secrets of the Manor House, a look of how real life was in British Manors in the early 20th Century.  Upstairs, Downstairs is also a classic choice.

Season three of Downton Abbey is not expected to air on PBS until early 2013, but once it becomes available on DVD, probably after the show airs here in the United States, we will all be able to queue up on the hold list.