Happy Friday, shipmates! It’s Alex with your very last April new releases (we get the May ones starting next week), and more Filipine SFF. I’m super excited because tomorrow, I get to go to the refurbished Casa Bonita (yes, really, the one that was in the South Park episode), and I am ready for a blast from the past…but with actual edible food. Though, I suppose if I go mysteriously missing next week, you’ll know what happened to me…Stay safe out there, space pirates, and I’ll see you on Tuesday!
Looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift? Go beyond the tried and true flowers and chocolate and give the gift of reading with Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists are standing by to help your mom find her next favorite read, delivered right to her inbox or doorstep. And with gifts starting at just $18, there’s something for any budget! Head to mytbr.co/gift to send the gift of reading to the book nerd in your life!
Let’s make the world a better place, together. Here are two places to start: Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which provides medical and humanitarian relief to children in the Middle East regardless of nationality, religion, or political affiliation; and Ernesto’s Sanctuary, a cat sanctuary and animal rescue in Syria that is near and dear to my heart.
Bookish Goods
Inspirational Journey of Creativity Book Sculpture by CreativeRascal
I don’t even know what to say about this “book sculpture” other than that it’s cool as absolute heck. I love that it’s 3D, I love that it uses the original illustrations, and I love that it’s so colorful. SO COOL. $124
Note: at the time of writing this newsletter, the book sculpture is available, but in case it’s not, there are other book sculptures available by the same seller.
New Releases
In Universes by Emet North
Raffi is a physicist searching for dark matter, who understands only how little they know about their own research. They become fixated both on parallel universe theory and Britt, a queer sculptor who fascinates them. They wish they could mean as much to Britt as Britt means to them…and they know somewhere, there is a universe where this is the truth; if only they could find it.
Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Wonderland is a dark forest where monstrous Saints lurk — and where the witches and lovers Caro Rabbit and Iccadora Alice Sickle were exiled five years ago for a crime they didn’t commit. Four years ago, they turned on each other for a chance at freedom; Caro made it out and Iccadora didn’t. Now, Caro is a Saint-harvester for the Red Queen, and Icca is a hunter who will stop at nothing to exact vengeance on Caro, the queen, and the throne itself.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
I found so much excellent Filipine SFF on Tuesday that I wanted to name a couple more books — short story collections this time.
Virtual Centre and Other Science Fiction Stories by Raissa Claire R. Falgui
This collection contains stories of the future and science, married with stories of Filipine supernatural lore and legend.
Wonderlust: Stories by Nikki Alfar
This short story collection features 14 tales that range genres — and geographical locations.
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.