Make new friends, but keep the old

I've always been a read-one-book-at-a-time kind of girl. I like to devote my full attention to one story so I can really be involved with it. However, I'm starting a new tradition. (It's not really a tradition, but I think that makes it sound fancier). I'm going to start pairing a classic with a newer book - this way when the classic gets a little slow or dry I can hop over to the novel or non-fiction book that's a little bit lighter. I think it'll keep me motivated to finish the classics and get more books read.

First up: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and The Violets of March by Sarah Jio.

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Jio)

I'm excited about reading both these books, but I'm just as excited for one of the authors, Sarah Jio. (No offense Tolstoy). Sarah is a blogger, writer, and mom-extraordinaire who I first got to know through Glamor's Vitamin G blog. I would comment on her blog, and after awhile I friend requested her on facebook, including my Glamour account handle so she didn't think I was some random creepy person. She accepted my request and told me of course she knew who I was! She's been sweet enough to comment on this little blog a few times, and once even linked back to me from Vitamin G! (Since I kind of a think of her as a celebrity I was ecstatic and definitely may have shrieked to my husband "it's like I'm famous!")

Sarah wrote The Violets of March and it comes out today! I (obviously) think Sarah's awesome, but I love that even if I didn't know her I would want to pick it up anyway - it sounds really good! (Want to see the book trailer?)

So I thought I'd give Sarah a little shout out, and let you know about a book you just might want to pick up today. Plus, now that I've told you I'm going to read these books you'll expect reviews and will hold me accountable, right?

Have you read anything good lately? Do you read more than one book at a time? Has it worked for you or was it too confusing?