Books and Clubs and Libraries, Oh My!

Just got a new stack of books from Paperback Swap. Let's see, I got Artemisia, Galileo's Daughter, Under the Black Flag, and ...something else I can't recall right now. Haven't cracked a page on any of them yet. They're all just stacked on my desk. Waiting... patiently, as good books do.
I did finally go get a library card, so I've been reading a couple of books from the library lately. I finished Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. Not one of my favorites of his. Also am about to finish Gods of Aberdeen by Micah Nathan. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. There's a little bit of intrigue, some alchemy and some good characters, I think.
I was invited by a friend to join a book club that she's a part of. I looked at the list and with the exception of maybe one or two, they're the kind of books that are deep, often dark, soul-searching things with lots of pain and agony along the way--the kind that Oprah loves. We'll see. That's not really my thing. I think there are plenty of good deep, insightful books that don't drag you into the depths of agony to make their point. Know any? Leave a comment!