Monthly Recommendations- February: Not Another Love Story

Hello, Fellow Book Worms,

  As many of you know I love to join book discussions or groups that love books. I just recently watched a video with YouTuber, Trina from Between Chapters, and found a wonderful group on Goodreads named, Monthly Recommendations. This book club is moderated by Trina and her friend Kayla from YouTube's Kayla Rayne. And each month we are treated to a topic that is up for discussion. 

  This month's topic is: Not Another Love Story, a book, books, or series that we recommend that do not have love stories in them. And here are my four picks:

The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill- this middle-grade book will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, with its whimsical narrative and magical characters. It follows two young protagonists who set out to protect an ancient magic from falling into the wrong hands. Filled with excellent world building and often hysterical characters, this book is a fast and joyful read that left me smiling ear to ear. 

 
 Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson- This first book in the young adult, dystopian trilogy does feature a romantic attachment, but not an actual romance. It follows sixteen year old Silver Blackthorn, a girl chosen to serve her kingdom by becoming an "Offering" to King Victor. This goes well at first, but she soon realizes that her fellow Offerings are being tortured and killed by the insane king. She sets out to escape with as many of her fellow captives as possible. It is a great escapist novel that has plenty of action, fantasy, and science fiction to satisfy any reader's literary cravings.

  Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag-  Cold Cold Heart follows the recovery of Dana Nolan, sole survivor of the serial killer, Doc Holiday. We follow Dana through her constant struggle with PTSD and brain damage she carries after her ordeal. When Dana goes back to her home town to sort her life out, she must battle yet another killer who has set his sights on her. The author uses a lot of her own history with brain injury to tell a suspenseful story. Hoag's narrative of a woman suffering great fear of not only re-integrating into humanity, but dealing with the new, damaged woman she has become is often heartbreaking. I enjoyed this book and its message to the public about PTSD.

  The Shining by Stephen King- If you want the opposite of romance, this is your book! When Jack Torrance and his family move into a creepy old hotel to be caretakers during the savage Winter months of Colorado they encounter a terrifying force. Jack is the worst husband any woman could have. Not only does he have a violent past with alcoholism, he is systematically being possessed by the Overlook Hotel's sinister entities. His wife, Wendy, and their son, Danny, must fight for their lives against Jack, who is hell-bent on killing them. This classic horror novel is an excellent read for anyone who loves supernatural tales.

  

Because there is always time to read,
Xepherus3

Reading Challenge: http://xepherusreads.blogspot.com/2016/02/updated-xepherus-reads-20152016-reading.html

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All written content (c) Copyright 2016 by Thomas Bahr II

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