Kelly Ripa Emerges with War Book

Kelly Ripa is up for an epic fight with ABC ... at least that's what we're reading into what she's reading.

Kelly and hubby Mark Consuelos left their Upper East Side townhouse Thursday, as she clutched a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's book, 'David and Goliath.' The book -- which btw is outstanding -- is a primer on how underdogs took on the powerful and emerged victorious.

Kelly was a no-show for the second day on 'Live,' and she and Mark are going on vacation ... reportedly to Turks and Caicos.

The earliest she'll be back on the show is Tuesday, but don't count on it. She does not want to be near Michael Strahan.