Happy Tuesday, shipmates! It’s Alex, and I’ve got a dystopian extravaganza for you. Not for any particular reason…it just worked out this way. We’re solidly in December now, which still feels very bizarre for me — how are we already barreling toward the end of the year? Weird. Eerie. I don’t like it. Stay safe out there, space pirates, and I’ll see you on Friday!
Let’s make the world a better place, together. Here’s somewhere to start: NDN Collective and Jane’s Due Process.
Bookish Goods
Reject Dystopia Hoodie by DownForMyTownCo
Rejecting my own theme, here’s a very cool hoodie that comes in several colors. And honestly, I just love the design on it, which you can also get as a print, pillow, or reusable bag. $33
New Releases
The Union by Leah Vernon
A thousand years from now, a Black elite class rules over a world torn by violence and division. The lower echelons of society must work in the fields or scrape by in the cities. Avi Jore is born into these Elites and destined to rule, but the more she sees of how the lower class workers are treated, the more disillusioned she becomes. Then she meets Saige Wild, a mixed race, enslaved girl who wishes only to escape this life — though she still saved Avi from being assassinated. Together, Saige and Avi may spark a revolution.
Augland by Erin Carrougher
In a future where the wealthy can use “Suits” to live out their lives in perfect, artificial bodies, Augland 54 is the most extravagant theme park in the Pacific Northwest, where Suits are used to live out the dreams of those who can afford it. The workers within it are not so fortunate…but as long as they’re quiet and compliant, they get food and shelter and escape from the post-war world that exists outside. But when one of the workers named Ashton finds out the start of the secrets being kept by Augland, she decides to fight back — and try to gain her freedom.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Well, since the new releases today are both dystopias, how about we just make this whole thing a Dystopipalooza!
Qualityland by Marc-Uwe Kling
In this near-future capitalist dystopia, Qualityland is the best country on Earth, and it’s governed by a universal ranking system that dictates the social place of every member of society. The algorithms of Qualityland are without peer and infallible. Peter Jobless is a scrapper who keeps being sent slightly imperfect but otherwise functioning machines that he can’t bring himself to destroy. And then he one day receives a shipment from the equally infallible TheShop that he knows he does not want. All he wants to do is return this useless item, but if he does so, he will prove the entire system has been wrong.
Dealing in Dreams by Lilliam Rivera
Nalah is the 16-year-old leader of the most dangerous all-girl crew in Mega City, but she doesn’t revel in the violent throwdowns. All she wants to do is escape the streets and gain residency in the Mega Towers. In order to do so, she must prove her absolute loyalty to the “benevolent” founder of her deeply classist city — which will involve doing the unspeakable and sacrificing the family she’s created.
See you, space pirates. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.