The Republic of Memory: A Novel (The Song of the Safina)

Author: Mahmud El Sayed
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A Memory Called Empire meets Children of Time in this Arabfuturist debut set on a generation ship on the brink of revolution as its crew begin to ask why they should toil for a people, and an empire, none of them remember. The Safina is a city ship halfway through its four-hundred-year voyage from the ruins of Earth to a new colony world. Its crew maintain the ship, generation after generation, while protecting their ancestors in cryostasis so that one day they will be able to enjoy a fresh start under clear blue skies. But when blackouts start, unrest follows. The ship can only continue running smoothly with the cooperation of the crew. And the crew has had enough. As coordinated acts of resistance coincide with a much more complex conspiracy, a chain of events is set into motion that will change life on the Safina forever. Inspired by the real-world events of the Arab Spring, The Republic of Memory is a bold interrogation of empire and an energizing portrait of revolution.

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Ronnica Fatt

May 4
May is looking to be a great month for new releases. Here are some May 5th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!).

• Saturn Returning by Kim Narby 4.25/5 stars
  Put this on your TBR if you enjoy character-forward stories about messy lesbians who face real-life struggles.
• Homebound by Portia Elan 3.5/5 stars
  Put this on your TBR if you like a book that explores both the path and the future. The 1980s queer coming of age story was especially intriguing.
• And the ones I haven't gotten my hands on yet:
  • Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu
    Why it interests me: explores the aftermath of a ballistic missile warning on a community that was a false alarm.
  • The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean
    Why it interests me: diverse fantasy. In full transparency, I ordered this through Aardvark but will probably hold off until I'm excited for fantasy again.
  • One Leg on Earth by 'Pemi Aguda
    Why it interests me: it's said to exploring coming of age and motherhood, set in Nigeria.
  • Now Then by Morgan Radford
    Why it interests me: a multigenerational novel exploring a Cuban American family.
  • The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
    Why it interests me: everyone loves Fonda Lee's writing, and I think I will too.
  • Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed
    Why it interests me: it's comped to A Memory Called Empire. I love books like this, set on a generational ship.
  • Honey by Imani Thompson
    Why it interests me: a feminist rage novel. If we don't read about it, maybe we'll be forced to act on ours.
  • John of John by Douglas Stuart
    Why it interests me: it sounds like a quiet novel exploring queerness in a rural, traditional setting.

April Showers bring a May Bouquet of Books

• 11 books
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2 books

Personal Updates:

What I've been reading & playing:
With my surgery being done a week ago, I've been reading & gaming a lot more this week as I rest & recover.
I'm currently making my way through The Taming of Dukes series by Amalie Howard and I've just finished the second book in this inter-connected series. This was such a fun & cute historical Romance story and I'm obsessed with the friend group Amalie has written.
I'm also reading The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El-Sayed, which is an Arabfuturism Sci-fi book! I'm about 30% in and I can already tell this book is going to be filled with adventure that is going to break my heart.
I've started playing Coral Island! This game has been on my radar for a while now and it's perfect for steam deck as well.

Thank you for reading this today friends! Can't wait to catch up with you in the community or in discord and thank you for being around here as always.