Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson
Type: NovelPublisher: TordotcomRelease date: June 28 Den of Geek says: A human linguist working among aliens is an interesting enough story on its own, and this one looks like it’s taking the Douglas Adams approach with humor and fun. Publisher’s summary: Lydia works as translator for the Logi cultural attaché to Earth. They work well together, even if the act of translating his thoughts into English makes her somewhat wobbly on her feet. She’s not the agency’s best translator, but what else is she going to do? She has no qualifications, and no discernible talent in any other field. But Lydia soon discovers that help can appear from the most unexpected source… Buy Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson.
The City Inside by Samit Basu
Type: NovelPublisher: TordotcomRelease date: June 7 Den of Geek says: Social media and streaming come under the microscope in this labyrinthine near-future game of metaphorical chess. Publisher’s summary: “They’d known the end times were coming but hadn’t known they’d be multiple choice.” Rudra is a recluse estranged from his wealthy and powerful family, now living in an impoverished immigrant neighborhood. When his father’s death pulls him back into his family’s orbit, an impulsive job offer from Joey becomes his only escape from the life he never wanted. But as Joey and Rudra become enmeshed in multiple conspiracies, their lives start to spin out of control―complicated by dysfunctional relationships, corporate loyalty, and the never-ending pressures of surveillance capitalism. When a bigger picture begins to unfold, they must each decide how to do the right thing in a world where simply maintaining the status quo feels like an accomplishment. Ultimately, resistance will not―cannot―take the same shape for these two very different people. Buy The City Inside by Samit Basu.
Invisible Things by Mat Johnson
Type: NovelPublisher: One WorldRelease date: June 28 Den of Geek says: It’s another tongue-in-cheek entry on this list, this one taking aim at the divide between the rich and poor. Buy Invisible Things by Mat Johnson.