Tough Choices

A tough day at work today - a former coworker died young. So let's just skip that and talk about books, K?

I'm going on vacation next week - sun, sand, Playboy Mansion-sized pools... just me and the guy and a few fish. Paradise. (Why else do you think I put up with bathing suit shopping?) Oh, and books. Lots of books.

So, now I'm down to the Big Question: What books to take? Oh, the deliciousness of it - every book lover out there is just humming with anticipation along with me. I've done everything else, made all of my plans, but I'm saving the best decision for last. What books will I take with me for a week of pure sinful beach reading?

Here's what I've got so far:




I'd heard that Silhouette was doing a paranormal line called Nocturne, but I had no idea it had started yet. This was the only title my local Chapters had in stock (my local Chapters is utterly clueless about category romance - they obviously have not one employee who knows anything about it. The stuff is stocked 2-3 weeks into the month it's supposed to be released.)

So I bought it, though I don't normally read paranormal. I need to keep current with trends. I need to see what's getting published out there so I can either a) gloat that I'm a better writer in my own mind or b) despair of my talent. Every romance writer needs to know what H/S is buying.

Okay, I just liked the cover. Rockin' covers on the Nocturnes!

Next:




I bought this one because the flap says it won the 2005 Golden Heart. Again, research. I need to know what kind of books are winning the GH, right? I vaguely remember that I should enter the GH every once in a while, but then I remember that it's outrageously expensive and all you get is a number. Then I go buy books with the money I saved.

OK, I also bought it because it's cute. OK, she's cute. His hair is WAY too modern.

Next selection:




This has been on my TBR for a month or two. I bought it because Megan recommended it at one point. I've been dying to read it, but I'm waiting for just the right moment. Vacation is just the right moment, don't you think?

I think I'm going to top off my selection with one heavier book - maybe a non-fiction. I must go to my shelf and ponder for a while. (My poor guy is a little confused that my favourite pastime is staring at my bookshelf, lovingly rearranging. Oh, well. I just tell him there are a lot of worse pastimes in the world.)

Any suggestions - I'd love to hear 'em. I still have room in the book bag. Oh, and if there's internet at the resort, I'll try to write.