It Happened Again

I got a gift card for Barnes & Noble for Christmas and I have been holding onto it. After work yesterday, I decided I needed a trip to the bookstore--just to browse and buy one book, I promised myself. I should have known better. Just like my last little book spree, I went in for one and came out with so many more. At least on this trip I was able to stick to the clearance shelves for all but two, and I got both of those for at least 50% off the list price. Still, I blew through my $40 gift card and spent $5 out of my pocket. It could have been worse. And now I have six more hardcovers to find room for on my crammed bookshelves and add to my To Be Read pile. Thankfully, I'm feeling motivated to read more now that I'm part of the TBR Challenge. I've got a lot of reading to do this year.

So here's what I got:

1. The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene -- This is the one I went in for. I've been trying for months to live by several of these principles, so I figured a little of his guidance might be helpful.


2. A Hand To Guide Me by Denzel Washington -- I saw him on Oprah talking about the inspirational stories he'd collected for this book and I've wanted to read it ever since.


3. Hotel of the Saints by Ursula Hegi -- I've never read anything by this author, but the description and, yes, the book jacket, intrigued me. It's a collection of short stories and I'm looking forward to finding out what Hegi's writing is like.


4. The Ha-Ha by Dave King -- I've heard about this book, and I know some people who read it for a book club, so I figured I'd give it a try.


5. Citizen Girl by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus -- I loved The Nanny Diaries so I'm hoping the follow-up by these two women is just as good.


6. Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson -- A friend recommended this book to me several months ago. I've passed it by several times, but finally decided to get it since it was on ly $5.98 for the hardcover.

If you've read any of these, I'd be happy to hear what you thought. I'm looking forward to digging into them eventually, but I know it's going to be a while, since I have a long list of books waiting on me as it is.