Reddit mentions of Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual (How To Climb Series)

Consider supplementing your classes with some books. Bob Gaines new AMGA Manual, the classic Luebben climbing book, and Luebben's anchor book are all excellent. John Long has a new Trad Climbers Bible, haven't read it though. I find him wordy and often not as clear as others.

Note that Luebben suggests to spend a day every year climbing with an expert guide to make sure you're solid.

If you want a specific recommendation: BEFORE YOUR CLASS: Pick up the three books above and read them. Take notes on what you don't understand. Look to online forums and videos for answers. Buy some gear and practice placing the gear outside. Have a piece of rope you keep on your couch. Practice knots while watching TV. FOR YOUR CLASS: Once you've done this, then take a class with an expert. Bring all the questions you've come up with. Take notes and get your guides contact info so you can stay in touch after. AFTER YOUR CLASS, continue reviewing the books (which will make more sense), start climbing easy single pitch stuff outside, email new questions to your guide. Take an anchors course if it's available, particularly before getting into multi-pitch.

Have fun & good luck!

EDIT: Check out r/tradclimbing and their excellent FAQ.

If you are truly curious and you want to expand your knowledge such that you can more safely operate within a wider variety of top access scenarios, consider investing in some of these books:

• Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills
  
• Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual
  
• Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive Guide Book
  
  Sure, you may certainly get by in life perfectly fine with substantially less knowledge, but if you are posting here with a question as thoroughly written out as the one you have here, you are likely interested in having a larger "toolkit" to feel more confident when approaching these types of situations. These books (among others) will, without a doubt, greatly enhance your anchor building and risk management "toolkit".
  
  Consider, for instance, that if you are carrying a static "setup rope" for top rope anchors, there are numerous ways to leverage it to establish both a high master point (away from the edge) and an instructor tether to allow yourself to control your movement around, near, and over the edge without exposing yourself to the risk of falling while you establish a low master point over the edge for a top rope anchor. Sometimes this may be overkill and sometimes it may be precisely what you need to feel confident in this type of situation. Having this knowledge on tap allows you to make more informed decisions.
  
  Two examples of these types of systems are
  
  
• the backside system
  
• and perhaps more awesomely the three in one.
  
  If you want to learn more about those systems, the SPI manual has a reasonable primer on each of them. Personally, I like the Donahue/Luebben Mastering Basic Skills book a little bit more if I had to pick one of the two, but you cannot go wrong with either one.
  
  Best of luck.

This book, the single pitch manual contains a lot of technical information as well as a great many soft topics. It stands pretty well on its own but combined with a somewhat proper mentor it will really help you learn climbing systems inside and out.

Look at The Complete Guide to Rope Techniques 2nd edition by Nigel Shepherd. 360 pages, 4.4 x 1 x 6.8 inches

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Rope-Techniques-Comprehensive/dp/0762746785/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449968363&sr=1-1&keywords=nigel+shepherd

The AMGA Single Pitch Manual is a bit larger
http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Climbing-Single-Pitch-Manual/dp/0762790040/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449968433&sr=1-16&keywords=rock+climbing

Rescue techniques are a different story. Assuming you mean self-rescue and not part of a professional high angle rescue team, look at Dave Fasulo's book:
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Rescue-How-Climb-David-Fasulo/dp/0762755334/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449968800&sr=1-1&keywords=self+rescue

https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Climbing-Single-Pitch-Manual/dp/0762790040/

You want non-obvious tricks? If you are looking for some more advanced interesting things you can do with a GriGri, this wonderful book is on sale right now. For instance, you can easily rig up a 3:1 haul system if belaying from above, or ascend from below to assist a panicked climber who won’t lower off a ledge on TR.

This book is the AMGA single pitch instructors manual. I’m not a guide, but I’ve found it really useful in filling in some of the gaps in my climbing knowledge.

I think taking the winter to prepare yourself is a great idea if you don't know of anyone who can take you, or don't want to spend the money on instruction (right now that is). For $30 and some shipping you can have almost all the book knowledge you need.

Read Climbing Anchors by John Long. This is a great way to start understanding climbing anchor theory and some of the broader details of materials and protection.

Read the AMGA's Single Pitch Instructor Manual. It has more info than you need to know, but the knots and anchor systems are extremely valuable.