As I was perusing my Goodreads to compile my list for this post I realized that there are WAY too many books that I want (need) to read! Therefore, let’s break this down by sections..I am going to let you all in on the new books I want to read, the sequels I want to read, the “older” titles I want to read, the less known titles to be read, and the books I’d like to re-read in 2013, and I am going to keep it to just five titles a section. FIVE. Wow. Okay, let’s go:
New titles of 2013
Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (June 18) – A NEW NOVEL BY NEIL GAIMAN!! Also? HIS LAST BOOK TOUR! AHHH!!
Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson (March 12) – A retelling of Bluebeard! Yes, please!
Loki’s Wolves by K. Armstrong and M. Marr (May 7) – Umm…a series by Melissa Marr and Kelly Armstrong about Vikings and Norse Mythology…I don’t think I need to say any more.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (April 9) – A new Middle Grade retelling of Rumpelstiltskin! His best friend is Red Riding Hood and there is a QUEST! Sign me up!
Antigoddes by Kendare Blake (September 10) – A new novel by the amazing author of Anna Dressed in Blood about Gods and Goddesses at war. Sounds good to me!
Must read sequels of 2013
Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier (July 9) – Come on guys, you know she is my all time favorite. Plus I would like some more of Flint, please!
Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers (April 2) – Oh man the slow burn romance of Grave Mercy was phenomenal and I love me some companion novels, anxiously awaiting this one!
The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy (April 30) – You all knew I ADORED The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, so it is no question that I will be picking up the sequel as soon as it’s released!
Dracomachia by Rachel Hartman (July 9) – I ADORED Seraphina and can hardly wait for the sequel!
Story’s End by Marissa Burt (April 2) – I really enjoyed Storybound and I am excited for the fun that is sure to follow!
Older titles that must be read in 2013
Don’t judge me on these, guys, I KNOW they MUST be read. That is why I am adding them to the YOU MUST READ THESE BOOKS PILE!!
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman – I feel like this one needs no explanation..
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – Gaiman and Pratchet..YES PLEASE!
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin – I hear if you watch the show you can skip over book 1, what do you guys think?
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – I started this one on the train to BEA and my only excuse for not finishing it already is that I am afraid because book 3 is no where near being published yet!
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta – An award winner to boot!
Less known titles to be read
The Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn (1980) – This one came up on my radar as an “If you like Juliet Marillier, you will love…” title so I decided that I NEEDED to read it ASAP and I am so lucky because the lovely Amy sent it my way for Christmas!
Wild Swans by Peg Kerr (2001) – Ahh yes, part of the Faerie Tale retellings, not sure it will surpass my love for Marillier’s retelling but we will give it a go!
Maledicte by Lane Robins (2007) – “For Maledicte is actually a woman named Miranda–a beautiful thief raised in the city’s vicious slums. And she will do anything–even promise her soul to Black-Winged Ani, the most merciless of Antyre’s exiled gods–to reclaim Janus, the lover whose passion still haunts her dreams (From GR).” How could I not read this one?
Mythago Wood by Robtert Holdstock (2003) – “or the Wood is a realm where myths gain flesh and blood, tapping primal fears and desires subdued through the millennia. A realm where love and beauty haunt your dreams — and may drive you insane (From GR).”
Dragons of Noor by Janet Lee Carey (2008) – I LOVED her other books and I LOVE dragons so this is a must read for sure!
Re-reads for 2013
Sunshine by Robin McKinley – Yummy vampires. Yes, please!
The Wicked series by Gregory Maguire – To be reviewed for Project: Fairytale in February!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – In preparation of Days of Blood and Starlight (yep, I cheated and added two titles to my 2013TBR list!)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin – In preparation of The Evolution of Mara Dyer (cheating again, I know)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – In preparation for the movie! WOO!
What about you guys? What titles do you feel like you must devour in 2013?
Books Take You Places 
The Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin is wonderful reading! From reading your blog and talking to you I would highly suggest not skipping Game of Thrones. You love world and character development and book 1 gives you all of that. Yes, it follows the season very well, but there is so much more in the book. Read it.
Dark Triumph!!!! I can’t wait 🙂 I really need to read Mara Dyer AT ALL. I still haven’t read it yet 😦
Ooh, Sunshine is on my list of books to read, but I’ve never read it before. Also I want to read every single book on your list. Except for The Name of the Wind which is basically one of the BEST EVER. EVER EVER. But I did it in audio over like five months while I was reading along in print. but you know that I’m weird like that and read books super slowly. Also I’m gonna read The Mists of Avalon this year starting probably/maybe/hopefully next week. Have you read that one? It’s SO LONG.
This list is ridiculous. I want to print it out and hang it on my wall as the best list I’ve seen so far. Truth.
Ahh I love when you comment on my blog because you are the best commenter EVER! I read The Mists of Avalon a veryyyyy long time ago and I LOVED it. If you like Arthurian legend I have some good retellings for you!! I adore King Arthur 🙂 maybe ill read along with you! I have so many books to read in January for project fairy tale though so I have to wait until feb!
I just read Shadowfell the other day and it was my first Marillier ever. Now I am chomping at the bit to read the Sevenwaters books and Raven Flight when it comes out. I didn’t love Grave Mercy as much as a lot of people but I’m still excited to read the second book. And I’m pumped for Drachomachia. I can’t believe you haven’t read His Dark Materials! That’s all I will say on that. I just put several of your listed books to read on hold. Never read any Janet Lee Carey books and I put Maledicte on hold as well. You always have such great recommendations, Alyssa!
EEP! Shadowfell was actually my least favorite book by JM!! You MUST read Sevenwaters VERY SOON! One of the things I want to do this year is show love to books that have fallen to the side because I focus too much on “new releases.” Every “older” title I read this year I absolutely ADORED so I am pretty excited to get started!!