So I’ve decided to do a monthly recommendation on books and video games. Perhaps I can share the love I have for a current piece, or the eagerness I have for a piece about to come out!

Books

Old, but still a classic in my eyes: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

This is one of the series that I could not put down. I read it twice in a row! The description on Amazon sums it up pretty well: “After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There’s little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus.”

Rick Riordan will always be one of my favorite authors because of this series. I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of adventure, fantasy, and even have curiosity for mythology!

This one sounds really good: The Adventurers Guild

 

This was added to Amazon not even a week ago. The description makes it sound really good, so it is now on my to read list!

“Few ever asked to join the Adventurers Guild. . . . Their members often died young. In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone’s only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he’ll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild. But just as it seems the boys’ dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild. Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers�hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies�Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf�must prove their worth once and for all. This start of a thrilling new series is sure to be a hit with readers who like their fantasies clever and action-packed, with tons of humor and heart.”

 

Video Games

A game that got me hooked instantly: Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley just got a release on Nintendo Switch and I’ve been falling in love with the game all over again. The game originated on Steam (PC gaming) until it got a release on Xbox One and PS4 (and now Switch!).

From the official wiki: “Stardew Valley is an open-ended country-life RPG! You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!”

It’s a fantastic RPG farming game! There’s so much to do and it has replay value for days. I highly recommend this!

 

The next big Mario game: Mario Odyssey

There is a lot of hype around this game, and I believe it is well deserved. I grew up playing Mario 64 and falling in love with Mario Sunshine. I love the openness to those games. Even without a hub world, Mario Odyssey’s sandbox maps look so fun!

“Use amazing new abilities—like the power to capture and control objects, animals, and enemies—to collect Power Moons so you can power up the Odyssey airship and save Princess Peach from Bowser’s wedding plans!

Thanks to heroic, hat-shaped Cappy, Mario’s got new moves that’ll make you rethink his traditional run-and-jump gameplay—like cap jump, cap throw, and capture. Use captured cohorts such as enemies, objects, and animals to progress through the game and uncover loads of hidden collectibles. And if you feel like playing with a friend, just pass them a Joy-Con™ controller! Player 1 controls Mario while Player 2 controls Cappy. This sandbox-style 3D Mario adventure—the first since 1996’s beloved Super Mario 64™ and 2002’s Nintendo GameCube™ classic Super Mario Sunshine™—is packed with secrets and surprises, plus exciting new kingdoms to explore.” – Nintendo Overview

The game comes out at the end of this month and I am stoked! I’m so excited to play it, I just had to recommend it!