If you’re a bookworm like myself, you like always have a stack of books waiting to be read in your spare time. Here are a few that I can’t wait to crack open and get into the adventures already!

1. Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell.  Ever since watching the BBC miniseries of North and South and Wives and Daughters, both by Ms. Gaskell, I’m hooked on her stories.  Mary Barton promises to be the most exciting of the three, as the plot boasts both a murder mystery and jail time for the leading lady.  My copy is an old paperback of my Dad’s.  He remembers the story fondly and as being pleasantly exciting, as he had to read it for school.

2. The Four Graces by D.E. Stevenson.  In 2014 I read the first of Stevenson’s books, and I think I’m in love.  She’s a comedic, yet poignant author, with relatable heroines and provincial life tales that share quaint similarities to the works of L.M Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables).

3 & 4.  The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester and Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst.  No year can go by without me getting my YA/juvie fantasy fix, and I have a great friend who sent me these books for the holidays, and finally, finally, I will have time to read them!

5. The Crochet Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden.  Everything I’ve every wanted to know about crocheting.  I have discovered, that no, I am not a knitter, but a crocheter, and with a long Minnesota winter settling in, I hope to crochet a few scarves and/or blankets while I get my K-drama fix.  Reading, watching, crocheting all at once.  I think I’m addicted to multitasking.

6. In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides.  I’m a shameless fan of great historical yarns, and this promises to be one, being about “the grand and terrible polar voyage of the USS Jeannette.”  I also want to get to In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, but that won’t be until much later in the year, and I kinda want to see the movie first.

7. Poems: Rossetti by Christina Rossetti.  This is a book I bought in college.  I’ve read most of the poems, but not all, and this year would like to read it cover to cover.  Christina Rossetti is one of my favorite poets, as she combines faith and imagination in wonderful ways.

8. Winterspell by Claire Legrand. The latest book I happened to come across during my weekly wander through my local B&N. This is what sounds like a fantastic retelling of The Nutcracker, and a good after-Christmas tale to get me through the doldrums of winter.  Plus, I’m familiar enough with ballet to enjoy the references, but not such a big fan that I will shudder at every change.  I’m hoping this one’s a keeper.

9. Trolls for Dust: Season One by moi.  Shameless plugging, I know, but what writer’s blog would be complete without it?  They don’t tell you when you become a writer that you better like your own stories, because you’ll have to read and reread and reread them, especially if you’re writing a series and want to make it all cohesive and stuff.  TfD Season Two is still on its way, and I’m so glad to have writing time again.

Cheers to 2015, and as always, Happy Reading!  –Pixie