"Assigned" Reading

You know when you have a pile of books to read and an order you know you should read them in for whatever reason...reviewing for a publisher or maybe it is due back at the library? It's sometimes hard to get them done right? Then you get a book in (either from a publisher or the library or it's finally at the store) and it's all you can do to not chuck out the books you were reading--or need to read--to rip into the new book? Especially when the next book in a series comes out or when a new book by an author you love arrives.
Or when this shows up in your mailbox: (thanks to Heather at Candlewick, my new favorite person OF ALL). I am so excited to read this book! But, I have so many others I should be reading. So here's what I am going to do: I have three I am reading right now, quick reads all of them. When I finish all of these I will read Monsters of Men. It will be my reward!


What about you? Do you have any authors or series you have to read above everything else? Do you ever find that no matter how much you want a book when you actually have it in your hands, your urgency is lessened?