This week I heard from someone that Peter DeBetta's Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for Developers is really excellent, packed with useful stuff but easy to read. I went to Amazon to check out reviews and while I was there, I noticed that the second edition of ADO.NET and System.Xml v. 2.0 by Alex Homer/Dave Sussman/Mark Fussell just came out. According to Mark's blog the book is a total rewrite and twice as thick so I decided to get it, even though I have the first edition.
Then I did what I usually do - I went to Bookpool.com and ordered both books there for much less. Bookpool's prices on technical books are almost always better and since they are in MA, I get my orders in about two days as opposed to 7-8 business days Amazon takes to deliver to Vermont. I long ago gave up checking prices on Barnes&Noble, their technical books seem to have hardly any discounts. And I don't feel guilty about Amazon, I still buy plenty of non-technical books and DVDs from them.