It's True... I Am Addicted

So, my TBR list - just like so many of yours - is ridiculously long.  So long in fact, that I really can't keep track anymore!
The more blogs I read and follow, the more books I want to dive into!

It is a total addiction!!!  I can't stop myself!  I am being totally serious, and not making light of anyone who has a substance addiction, or like the people you see on the show Hoarders.  I'm telling you, every time I order a book either from my library inter-loan system or from Amazon, I'm like, "oooh, just one more!"  Much like an alcoholic might want "just one more drink", or a hoarder might want "just one more pair of shoes" or an animal hoarder (a terrible vice) might want "just one more cat".

Just a little while ago, I heard of a book and thought, "oh, I really need to read that!"  So I went online to request it from my library.  Well, lo and behold.... I have been CUT OFF!!  I got a message that said "the amount of books you have requested from the system has exceeded the limit allowed". 

I was in a serious panic!!!  I was like, "What???  You can't do that!  I just want to order one more!!"  I really felt like "this is what an addict going through withdrawal must feel."  Being cut off.  Not being able to take a drink, or a shopper not being able to buy something.

Now, mind you.... the books I have in my home right this second is nothing short of ridiculous.  If I look around me right this second I can count 14 books that are all TBR.  And this is just in my living room.. in my little corner where I sit every night.  My nightstand right now has 8 books on it, my desk has 9 more.  Yet, I keep ordering more.  Not necessarily buying more, but like I said - requesting them from the library, or going on paperback swap. 

Really, do you think there is something wrong with me?  I have always been like this with books!  Ever since I can remember!  My grandmother used to take me to Woolworth's and I would ask her if I could get a book.  Of course, being Grandma, she always said yes.  So I would go look through the paltry little offerings of the five and dime, most of them Children's Illustrated Classics.  Most of them, stuff I did not want to read.  But, I'd pick one anyway.  Why?  To be able to say I got a new book!  Many of them went unread.  Today, I do eventually read all of the books I get.  Back then, I just loved the thought of owning a ton of books!  (I used to tell people that I wanted to be a bookkeeper when I grew up because I thought it meant "someone who keeps a lot of books".)

Now, I do own a ton of books.  And don't get me wrong... I don't love that fact any less now that I am all growed up.  But, now that I am all growed up, I'm thinking I might have a problem on my hands.....

Is there anyone else out there that "suffers" from this type of addiction as I do???   And the thing is... nobody else in my family reads!  So I can't even blame some of the books on them.  Like, "Oh, that stack there is all Logan's".  It's all me.  I don't know if I should be proud of myself, or hang my head and skulk away in shame....

What's a girl to do?  Atleast it's an affordable addiction.  Not like I'm going out and buying myself Manolo's or Jimmy Choos whenever I get the chance.  Many of my books come from the inter-library loan system (man, I love that feature!), so I don't even buy them.  And now I sound like I'm enabling myself by making excuses!!  But what does it say about me that even the library is like, "whoa... tone it down, sista... you've got a problem!  Who do you think you are... comin' in here, requesting all these books?  You should seek professional help!" 
And, actually now that I'm thinking about it, that might not be a bad idea!
I know!  I bet there's a book out there about book addiction!
I'm going right now to the library website to see... oh, wait.  That's right - I'm cut off.   Forget it. 



*** and just in case any of you were wondering (which I'm so sure that you were on the edge of your seats waiting for me to tell you...), right now - right this minute - I cannot get enough historical fiction!  I have 14 historicals requested, and the one I cannot wait to read is The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly!  I love turn-of-the-century New York City, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm sure I can add just one more to my TBR. :)

VERY Long Overdue Review: Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett

First off, I must apologize to Ms. Barrett for not posting this review sooner!  It is long overdue, but as we all know... life gets crazy sometimes... so hopefully, she will go easy on me....

***blushes****

Lorna Barrett is the author of the absolutely fantastic "Booktown Mystery" series!  The latest chapter in this series is Chapter & Hearse, and just like the previous novels, this one did not disappoint!

Tricia Miles is the owner of Haven't Got A Clue, Stoneham, New Hampshire's mystery bookstore.  Somehow, she always finds herself in the middle of a real life whodunnit!

This time, there's been a gas explosion at the local history bookstore, History Repeats Itself, in which owner Jim Roth has been killed.

When Tricia and her sister Angelica start probing into the accident, it becomes apparent that someone has secrets to keep....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of my favorite "cozy" series out right now!  Sticking to the definition of a cozy, there is no extreme violence, blood & gore (the murder, or crime takes place "aside", if you will).  There is no strong language, it takes place in a small town with fun, quirky characters, and has no explicit sex.

Chapter & Hearse is a fantastic addition to this series that takes place in Stoneham, New Hampshire... nicknamed "Booktown" because all of the stores and eateries there revolve around what else... books!  My favorite subject!

I love the characters of Tricia and her sister Angelica.  When I'm reading a book and I can close my eyes and get a picture of what the characters would look like, or what celebrity would play them, it really helps to cement the story in my mind.

For this series, I have Tricia being played by Jennifer Garner, and Angelica is played by my personal friend Angela who has a big personality and is very outgoing (if you're reading this, Ange... this is a compliment!)  There are a whole host of "supporting" characters that only add to the charm of this mystery.  And they all make repeat appearances from earlier installments of the "Booktown Mysteries".

If you are looking for a fun, light mystery with lots of entertaining characters, set in every book lover's dream town full of bookstores, you should really give Lorna Barrett's books a try.  Mystery fans will be tickled pink with the whodunnit factor, and let's not forget Tricia's incomparable resident kitty, Miss Marple!

You will want to start with the first book in the series, Murder Is Binding, followed by Bookmarked For Death, and Bookplate Special. 

***Chapter & Hearse was an ARC that was graciously provided by the author for review.  I was not required to give a positive review, just an honest one.  All opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation.