book problem: solved!

Your suggestions were all appreciated, and based on those choices it looks like Anathem will be the next thing I read out of that particular set. However, uilos reminded me that I've a Susan Palwick book sitting unread on the shelf. So I was going to fix that particular problem.

But then I got home and there was a mysterious book-shaped package on my doorstep. "What the heck is that?" I asked (out loud, I think). "I haven't ordered anything."

Turns out sometimes things show up even when you don't order them.

Desired reading material: acquired.