So I've played the vanilla game and I am ready for some mod glory. Any mods out there worth trying out?

Try the "Deus Vult Improvement Pack". It is probably the best CK1 mod out there. Just follow the directions here, but you'll need to register on the Paradox website to view the forums:

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-deus-vult-improvement-pack.325865/

And other required downloads for the mod:

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/crusader-kings-dv-2-1-beta-patch-new-beta-patch-released-on-15-october-2008.331766/#post-8983876

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/bopack-dv-events-addon-for-ck-dv.365271/

PS Don't install the bopack events pack, just install the bopack_dv_gfx files and you should be fine.

Is there a reason one shouldn't install the bopack events pack? Something wrong with it?

It's late to answer this question, but anyway...
The reason is because the events pack is already included in the Deus Vult Improvement Pack (DVIP) mod.