A Benefit of Writing Reviews

I'll admit it. I am so new to reviewing books that I'm still learning the tricks of the trade. But I have to tell you there's a nice benefit. Often when I open my mailbox it feels like Christmas. Somedays, I've waited with anticipation for a book. Others, I had no idea the book was on the way.

Take today. Susan May Warren's new book Reclaiming Nick filled a mailer. Let me tell you, I ripped that envelope to pieces in two seconds flat. Later this month, I'll have an interview with Susan ... and from the first few pages of the book, I can tell I love the book.

Others in my to be read pile:

• Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer (I've heard of him, but never read his books)
• The Heir by Paul Robertson (I haven't heard of this author, but it looks interesting)
• The Freedom of the Soul by Tracey Bateman (started it and can't wait to get back to it. So far it's FABULOUS)
• The Reliance by M.L. Tyndall (Arg, a good pirate book...I'll let you know when I read it)
• Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz by Claudia Mair Burney (I can't wait to get into this one either)

Every once in awhile, I'll get one from left field like The Harbor Boys, a memoir by Hugo Hamilton. I'm sure it's good, but it's a little outside the fiction I usually read and review. But I'm interested enough to keep it on the TBR pile.

What's in your TBR (to be read) pile? Jonah, I expect you to have some great, classic recommendations for us.