Library Loot (July 14th)

I thought it would be fun (and a nice change of pace) to share some of the recent books that I've checked out from the library.  I've been mostly posting book reviews lately and wanted to change it up a bit - maybe breathe a little bit of fresh life into the blog, you know?  I've been putting holds on at the library nonstop since curbside opened up.  I may or may not have WAY TOO many books currently checked out right now but it feels so good!  Here are just a few of the books that I've got waiting to be read:

• The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung - This book features a protagonist with multiple personalities and is labeled as a thriller.  That's really all I needed to know....how could I possibly resist that premise?!?  I couldn't so this one instantly went on to the holds list.
• The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor - The cover is one of the things that first caught my eye with this book I'm not going to lie.  I also can't resist a new detective series so this one instantly was on my radar.  But what sealed the deal is when this author was compared to Tana French - SIGN ME UP!  That's all they really needed to say.
• No Going Back by Sheena Kamal - This is the 3rd book in the Nora Watts series.  I've been impatiently waiting for this book every since finishing the 2nd one (especially with the way it ended).  This has fast become a favorite series of mine so I won't be waiting long to pick this one up.  I NEED to know what is going to happen next!
• I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie - This book has been on my radar since last year when it released.  The setting features a summer camp which fits with the summer vibes we have going.  I am loving the idea of reading a thriller set in the heat of summer so let's hope this book fits the bill.

I've got SO many other books checked out including the following:

• You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce
• The Good House by Tananarive Due
• Take Me Apart by Sara Sligar
• The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao
• My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood

and some more but I'm sure you get the point by now.  I obviously have no shelf control.  How many of you are shaking your head at me?  Or is that just me?  I have SUCH great reading ahead of me!  There is every chance that I won't get through the majority of these but the fun is in trying.  June was just a so-so month for me reading/numbers wise.  Let's hope that July turns out to be absolutely amazing!

What book or books have you checked out from the library lately?

I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"When Laurie Moran's husband was brutally murdered, only three-year-old Timmy saw the face of his father's killer. Five years later his piercing blue eyes still haunt Timmy's dreams. Laurie is haunted by more: the killer's threat to her son as he fled the scene: Tell your mother she's next, then it's your turn . .

Now Laurie is dealing with murder again, this time as the producer of a true-crime, cold-case television show. The series will launch with the twenty-year-old unsolved murder of Betsy Powell. Betsy, a socialite, was found suffocated in her bed after a gala celebrating the graduation of her daughter and three friends. The sensational murder was news nationwide. Reopening the case in its lavish setting and with the cooperation of the surviving guests that night, Laurie is sure to have a hit on her hands. But when the estranged friends begin filming, it becomes clear each is hiding secrets . . . small and large.

And a pair of blue eyes is watching events unfold, too . . ."

My Thoughts:

It has been entirely too long since I read a book by Mary Higgins Clark!  Honestly I didn't even realize that she had a series of books out until I saw someone (no clue who now) who was talking about the most recent book maybe.  I was instantly intrigued and had to grab a copy of this book from the library.  I'm so glad that I did because this book was everything that I love about this author and the books she writes!  One of the things that I've always enjoyed about her books is how easily they suck me and how suspenseful they are!  The short chapters from multiple viewpoints always keep me reading way longer than I ever intend to.  I breezed through the pages of this book completely caught up within the mystery.  I spent the entire time I was reading it trying to figure out the killer only to be wrong and surprised by the ending.  I also really enjoyed that in this book there was the secondary mystery of who killed Laurie's husband.  That storyline added a few creepy moments for me while reading because I was so worried over how everything was going to turn out!  When I finished I was left so excited to have started this series and ready to continue on!  What an enjoyable mystery this was!

Overall I really enjoyed my time with this book, and am super excited to pick up the second book in the near future.  This was the mystery that I was looking for without really realizing it - it was a great change pace from some of the darker thrillers that I've been reading lately.  There's just something about Ms. Clark's books that I enjoy so much.  I'm really excited to be diving back into her backlist again!  I would recommend this book to fans of mysteries and suspense.  This is an easy recommend on my part!

Bottom Line:  An enjoyable mystery that kept me guessing until the very last pages!

Disclosure:  I checked out this book from my local library.  Thoughts are my own!   

The Sunday Post #40 (All The Holds)

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Happy Sunday!  It's a gloomy, cold winter morning here but I've got coffee and the 5th Harry Potter movie on which makes everything better.  It was a busy past week as we all returned to our normal routines.  Now having a three day weekend makes it all seem just a little bit better after returning to our normal full schedule.  I'm working tomorrow but only for as many hours as I feel like.  I'm really pushing to get the overtime hours in when and where I can.  I kind of slid off the exercising bandwagon last week.  I ran once (last Sunday) and then that was it.  It goes to show me that I will really need to focus on running/working out on the nights where the kids don't have practices even if those are the nights I usually work late.  I'm going to try and hit my three workouts this week by really buckling down and getting them in when I can.  Hold me accountable!

In reading news, I managed to finish two more books this week which means the Bout of Books read-a-thon was a success.  I didn't participate too much social media wise but I did read, read, read!  I could get behind reading two books every week if I could keep this up.  I went to the library yesterday and brought home five new library books thanks to all of my holds coming in at once.  This added to an already towering stack of books that I already had checked out.  I'm swimming in all of the books right now which makes it so hard to choose what to read next!  It's not a bad thing so I'm not complaining - I just haven't yet decided which one to start reading first as my new print read.  Last week though I finished the following books:

A Map of the Dark by Karen Ellis begins a new mystery series and I really loved it!  This was my 3rd book for #COYERWinterSwitch and it was such a great read.  I'm super excited that it is the first in what is planned to be a series as I really can't wait to read more!  I'll be writing up my thoughts on this one hopefully for this week since it just released this month.

Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell is the 8th book in this series which is an absolute favorite of mine.  I pulled this book off of my own shelves and it was a great choice as always.  This wasn't my favorite book in the series (I would probably only rate it 4 stars instead of 5) but it was still a really great read.  This series really has become a treat for me to read though!  I will also work on writing up my thoughts on this one soon.

I'm now currently reading the following:

A Whisper of Bones is my current Kindle read and one that I'm about 30% into so far.  As usual I'm starting smack dab in the middle of a series (apparently this is book #25) but that hasn't bothered me in the slightest.  I'm actually really intrigued already and excited to continue reading it later this afternoon.  No print read yet as I'm just not sure which library book to read next but I'm sure I will figure it out soon.

New Additions:

I'm most excited for It All Falls Down by Sheena Kamal as this is the sequel to a book that I loved last year.  I just cannot wait to begin reading it although it doesn't release until July so I'll try to wait awhile before I begin.  That review copy is courtesy of Edelweiss and the rest are from NetGalley.  See why I need the #COYER reading challenges so much?!? 

Plans for today include a basketball game for the youngest and not much else.  The usual everyday Sunday things including laundry and reading.  I'm hoping to do a little meal prep for the week as I'm also trying to eat healthier.  I need to work on writing up reviews so that I'm not just writing posts on Sundays for the rest of the week.  It would be really nice to get ahead and maybe even have the entire month prepped ahead of time.  A girl can certainly dream!  I would also like to fit a run in if I have the chance later on.  I'm off to go clean the kitchen up so.....

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Library Loot (December Edition)

I've been to two different libraries in two days - this is the result of those two visits.  I'm calling it my December library loot but let's be honest here:  there is a good chance I'll visit the library a couple of more times before the month ends.  I made out with some really great books though that I cannot wait to read!  If I'm being honest I didn't manage to read any of the library books from my last post before they had to go back unread.  Sigh!  I'm 100% sure that I'll check them back out at some point though so no worries.  Here are the books that I couldn't not bring home with me:

• The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti - This book has been on my radar since it first released.  I couldn't put it down though once I saw a comparison to Rebecca on the back cover.  Yes please!  It sounds great and I basically want to read it right now.
• Bannerless by Carrie Vaughn - It has been way too long since I last read anything by Vaughn.  Add to that a dystopian setting and a mystery...I just cannot resist.  Plus this book has a gorgeous and unique cover - it is calling my name right now!
• The Dark Room by Minette Walters - I found this book while browsing the new book shelves.  I hadn't heard of it but it sounds creepy and thrilling - that's basically all I needed to know before I brought it home with me.
• The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood - I've got all three of this author's books on my TBR list.  I tried one of her other books and just didn't quite get into it (although I do plan on going back to it at some point).  I really like the sound of this one so I'm planning on reading it instead.
• Dark River Rising by Roger Johns - Yes another find courtesy of the new book shelves.  It has such a gorgeous cover and then I realized it was set in Louisiana and had to bring it home with me to check out.  This may be my next print read!
• Beloved Poison by E.S. Thomson - I was browsing and found the 2nd book in this series which was sent in an asylum (if I'm remembering correctly now).  That is basically catnip to me but then I realized it was part of a series and went searching for the first book which is this one.  It sounds really great so I'm eager to try it!
• Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter - This is the only book that I actually went to the library specifically for.  It will be my first read off of my TBR list challenge.  I've got really high hopes and a lot of readers that I trust have sung this book's praises so I'm pretty excited to read it!

That's a lot of great books all in one pile.  I've also got a few books on hold that I'm patiently (or not so patiently waiting for).  I'm planning on ending my reading year with some really great books and this pile will help that happen.  Has anyone read any of these?  Are they any that I should read before all of the rest?  And just out of curiosity: does anyone else go their library non-stop like I do?

Happy Reading!

Library Loot (Fall Edition)

Does this meme even exist any more??  I used to share about the books I had checked out from the library all of the time but kinda got away from it.  Which is a shame as I always enjoyed these posts and especially seeing what other readers had picked up from their own libraries.  I've decided to share again as I have a particularly good stack of books currently checked out from the library that I'm hoping to read before they are due back.

• Death Masks by Jim Butcher - I'm really hoping to catch up with this series a bit which means not waiting so long in between books.  I can never get enough of Harry Dresden and am really looking forward to cracking this one open.  I still need to write my thoughts up on Summer Knight though - this is book five in the Dresden series.
• Liar Liar by M.J. Arlidge - Another series that I would really, really like to catch up especially because these books have ALL been so good so far.  This is book four in the series and the premise of the book has me wanting to read it RIGHT now!
• The Lie by C.L. Taylor - I've had this author on my radar for some time now and basically have added all of her books to my TBR list.  I am really hoping to finally give her a try with this book.  The summary sounds up my alley so I can't wait!
• Dead To Me by Cath Staincliffe - I really don't know much about this one other than it begins a mystery series.  I was browsing through the shelves and liked the title.  That led to me reading the book jacket and bringing it home with me.  I love when I find books that I haven't even heard about while at the library!
• Time of Death by Lucy Kerr - I requested this one from the library as I was recently approved for the second book on NetGalley.  I like to read series in order when I can although I'm not a huge stickler on it.  It sounds really good though and I'm hoping to get to it soon!
• The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh - I first heard about this book on Litsy thanks to the Book of the Month club.  Then I believe Liberty talked about it during one of the All of the Books podcasts and I just couldn't resist requesting it for myself.  It sounds really great and like my type of book!
• Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy - I really enjoy the What Should I Read Next podcast and this was on the 2017 Summer Reading guide.  I requested it from the library based off of that fact alone.  I don't know much about it but it sounds good - and now I really, really want to read it!

So many good books here!  I just need to find the time to read them all (basically impossible).  The best part though is that I can always get them again from the library if I don't get the chance to finish them this time around.  Have you read any of these?  Is there any one book in particular that I should read over all of the rest?  Do share!

The Sunday Post #33 (Library Fun)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Morning and Happy Sunday!  It has been another one of those weeks that almost passed by in a blur.  Busy busy and all that!  I've been working lots of overtime hours squeezed in wherever and whenever I can fit them in.  The kids are right in the middle of sports seasons so we usually have something going almost every night of the week.  And then I wonder why it feels like I never get any reading done.  LOL! 

I was able to finish one book this past week and it was a good one.  I also went to the library and brought way too many books home to go along with the R.I.P. reading I'm planning on doing.  This week looks to be just as hectic as last week so I'm savoring a quiet day at home today.  It's always good for the soul to spend time with my family and just relax!  But back to the books.  Last week I finished reading the following:

A Season to Lie by Emily Littlejohn - This is the 2nd book in Littlejohn's Gemma Monroe mystery series.  Last year I read and adored the first book which was Inherit The Bones.  I've been impatiently waiting to read this one and am happy to report that it was just as good as the 1st book!  I won't be sharing my full thoughts on this one until closer to the release date.

I'm now currently reading the following books:

I is For Innocent by Sue Grafton is my current print book.  It has been WAY too long since I last read a book in this series.  I'm already loving it and I've been squeezing in reading time with it every chance that I get.  On kindle, I'm getting ready to begin Beneath the Skin by Caroline England.  I was browsing through my NetGalley review copies trying to figure out which ones I needed to read soon when this one caught my eye.  I love that cover!  I haven't actually begun reading this one but will be very soon.

Here is the library stack that I brought home to add to my R.I.P. reading possibilities pile:

So many great sounding books here!  I'm thinking that my next print read will end up being one of these.  I'm off to work on writing up a few books reviews.  I also need to work on my never-ending laundry piles.  Other than that, the plan is to veg on the couch and watch football all afternoon.  A nap is sounding really good right about now.  Definitely some quiet reading time to round out the day!  How was your week?  What have you been reading lately?  Do share!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Library Loot (Or Reasons I Love My Library #6)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

As you can see from the below pictures I went a bit library loot crazy this past week with two trips to two different libraries.  What can I say other than it was a very hectic week at work and I needed the stress relief?  It worked even if I brought home way more books than I can possibly read in one month.  A girl can hope!  Anyways, here are ALL of the books that I brought home during my two trips:

This would have been enough right here but instead the next day I brought all of these home too:

Craving some urban fantasy/paranormal lately....can you tell??  Ha!  I don't think that any of the books that I brought home are NOT part of a series.  Oh my goodness, what was I thinking?  I haven't the slightest but looking at all of these has me very excited to read them all so there is that.  Even if I can't possibly read them all before they are due, a part of me wants to try so I will.  The question remains of which one I should read first.  Lots of choices and I should certainly get my fill of the paranormal.  Until my mood changes and I want a good mystery at least :)

Any suggestions?  Or books that I just cannot miss here?  Do tell!

Library Loot (Or Reasons I Love My Library #5)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

 I'm pretty sure that last time I shared a library loot post I said that I was going to do these more often.  And then a few months passed on by.  LOL!  This time of the year though I depend on my library after seeing and hearing about so many great sounding books thanks to all of the year end posts.  Plus, I went and joined a crap-load of challenges so I'm feeling all inspired to read ALL of the books for them as well.  This means that I have a ton of books that I want to get my hands on so off to the library I went.  I brought entirely too many books back home with me (this is the result of two separate trips though in my defense).  Now we will just see how many of these I actually get read.  Here are my latest library finds:

I'm super excited to read all of these (as I always am when I bring home a bunch of books)!  The Last Policeman is thanks to so many of my trusted blog friends reading/loving this trilogy.  Snowblind is a book that I have been wanting to read since last year!  And I've checked out Midnight Rescue so many times that it is getting a bit ridiculous that I haven't read it already.  I could keep rambling about all of these but really I just wish I could read them all right now :)

So tell me, which of these should I read first?  Or which ones have you read if any?  An inquiring mind wants to know!

Library Loot (Or Reasons I Love My Library #4)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

It has been entirely too long since I shared a library loot post with all of you.  I've kind of strayed away and instead just been posting pictures (aka my Reasons I Love My Library posts).  I have been missing writing these posts though so I think I'm going to get back to doing them.  I have had a really good couple of weeks at the library.  Here are the books that I have picked up recently:

There is so much bookish goodness here!  Where to begin?

• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is my current read.  One that I've been meaning to read every since I read (and adored) Affinity by Waters.  It is a big book but I'm in the mood for chunkier reads with the colder weather approaching.  I'm super stoked about this one!
• The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes is the first in yet another mystery series that I have been wanting to try for some time.  I'm on a mystery series kick this year so I'm looking forward to finally giving this series a try.  Even the title has me intrigued ;)
• The Water's Lovely by Ruth Rendall is for Carl's R.I.P. Challenge.  Actually, most of these books are now that I think about it.  I've been meaning to read this one for way too long.  I've checked it out from the library multiple times.  I'm really hoping to finally get to it this time around!
• A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole is thanks to the paranormal romance kick that I have been on.  And because I loved Dark Skye so much so I figured I should go back to the beginning of the series.  Not my favorite cover though...I definitely might have passed by the book if I didn't know better.
• Hysteria by Megan Miranda is one that I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it.  I then promptly forgot about it but in my quest to read more YA this year (I may have become sidetracked on this goal....I'm starting back up again) I decided to grab it from my library.  It will fit in perfectly with the R.I.P. challenge which makes me even more excited. 
• Made For You by Melissa Marr because it sounds oh so good!  YA romantic suspense!?!?  Yes, please!  I've been seeing some very positive reviews for it so I will probably be reading this one very soon.  Happy days!

 I've got plenty of books to keep me busy!  I've already managed to read my four books for the R.I.P. challenge but I am hoping to fit in a few more before the end of the month.  What books have you grabbed from the library lately?  And which one of these would you read first if the choice was up to you??  Do share!

Reasons Why I Love My Library #3

Because what's not to love when you bring this many amazing sounding books home with you???? I think I just formed my September reading pile without even meaning to!

Tell me, what books have you brought home from the library recently?

Reasons I love My Library #2

Because sometimes nothing sounds good beside binge reading a new favorite urban fantasy series....thanks to my library I can catch up on this series and read to my heart's content! 

Reasons I Love My Library #1

Picking up books like these....my reading plans for the month of June just flew out the window.

Library Loot - April Edition

As if I didn't have enough books that I wanted to read this month, I went holds crazy at the library about a week ago.  Of course they all came in at once as holds usually tend to do.  These are all going to be unofficially added to my April reading plans because why not?  I'm super excited about all of these for various reasons.  Here is what I picked up:

• Mark of the Witch by Maggie Shayne - I'm in the mood for some paranormal romance and this has been on my TBR list since it first came out.  I am more than ready to finally give it a try!
• Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn - I picked this one up thanks to another blogger who had this great post about if you like this type of book, try this with recommendations.  This was one of her recommendations for unreliable narrators and I couldn't resist.  Sadly, I have no clue whose blog this post was on or I would share with you.
• The Walking Dead, Volume 4: The Heart's Desire by Robert Kirkman - The last volume left off on a bit of a cliff hanger so I instantly requested this one from the library!
• The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood - Oh my goodness, I added this one to my TBR list when I saw Stephen King tweet about it.  Then I read the premise and it became a must read!  I cannot wait to read this one as it sounds super creepy!
• Omens by Kelley Armstrong-  Remember when I said I want to read some chunkier books soon.  Well, this will definitely fit and I have also had this one on my TBR list since before it came out. 

 Don't these all look great?  Which one would you read first if you had to choose?  This weekend I'm currently reading Under a Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes.  Good so far but I've just begun.  I'm also really starting to get into Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells.  Finally!  Sometimes my reading suffers a bit when I read on my ipad.  Just too many other distractions :)  I'm off to get my house clean and laundry started.

I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

Library Loot (Thriller Edition)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Seems like I'm in the mood for thrillers lately as that is the majority of my library books that I checked out this week.  I don't see this changing any time soon since the Edgar award nominees were recently announced so I will be putting some of those on hold.  Don't you just love book awards lists and finding new books to be interested in?  Such fun!  Anyways, I found some really good looking books at the library this week so I just had to share.  Here is what I brought home with me:

 

So many good looking reads here!  I grabbed Reconstructing Amelia thanks to Kailana's review of it.  Blood Harvest is because I am craving more S.J. Bolton and thought that this would help.  And Grey Mask is for my goal to read more vintage mysteries.  Considering I still have some library loot from my last post to work through, I've got my work cut out for me.  But that is a good thing in my book!

Now tell me, which of these books should I read first?  Last time I asked I was recommended a really great read so I've got to ask again :)  And what books have you grabbed from the library recently?

Library Loot - 1st Trip of 2014

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

First library loot post of the new year!  Woohoo!  I got a bit away from doing these types of posts last year which makes me sad because I use my library SO MUCH!  I depend on my library system for all of those times when I come across books in a series and need to start at the beginning.  Or when I just need to browse and relax without the guilt of buying more books.  LOL!  The other day I had the opportunity to go to the library by myself (a very rare treat), and I came out with an armful of books.  But this post also includes just a few of the books that I have been putting on hold lately as well.  Here are all the great library finds that I took home with me:

 

 

 

Look at all of those gorgeous covers!  Of course I would like to read them all but realistically I'm just hoping to read them all.  Kidding!  But seriously, I'm not even sure where to start here.  So that is where you guys come in.  Have you read any of these?  Is there any one book that I should read before all of the others?  I have no idea how to choose which of these to read first so I will take any help that I can get!  Also, I'm just adding these all to my hopeful reads for January because why not?

What books have you brought home from the library lately?

Library Loot: Drowning in Books

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Claire and asks us to share about the lovely library finds that we bring home!

I honestly cannot remember the last time that I shared my library loot with you guys!  I haven't been going to the library as much as of late (just not enough time) and I have plenty of my own books waiting to be read.  I was starting to go through library withdrawals though (I'm only kind of kidding) so I made a point of finding the time this week to visit my local library.  I walked out with entirely TOO many books but also with a smile on my face.  Now I'm happy, happy and I have lots of good books just waiting for me to read!  Good stuff!  I'm starting to really consider the fact that the end of the year will be here sooner rather than later so I tried to grab books that felt like must reads for me.  2013 has already been a really good reading year quality wise but I can always try for even better!  Here are the books that I ended up taking home with me:

 

 

I can't even begin to decide which of these I would like to read first!  I think that I need to find a read-a-thon or two to join so that I can actually make a dent in this library pile.  The focus here seems to be urban fantasy but I also managed to slide in a historical romance and some romantic suspense.  Each of these books are just one more reason why I LOVE my library!  Love!  Have you guys read any of these?  Which one should I start with first??