Read a contemporary sci-fi novel that asks big questions about life and its meaning
We Are the Ants — Shaun David Hutchinson
What to Read This Week
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
What It’s About
In the 1-year anniversary spectacular, sci-fi and fantasy were the most highly requested genres. I have a ton of sci-fi on my TBR for more recent titles, but until I’ve had the chance to read those, I’m recommending this one, which I absolutely fell in love with, that was originally published in 2016.
Henry is abducted by aliens. Quite a lot, actually. It’s something he’s never gotten used to, but he’s learned to tolerate it. Until one day, the aliens give him an ultimatum: the world will end in 144 days, unless he pushes a big, red button.
“I try to tell them there is no mystery. I am not special, not unique, not even a little important. They never listen. As they perform their experiments, which make little sense to my primitive intellect, my mind wanders. It wonders. Why me?”
I know what you’re thinking—this sounds ridiculous. And on the surface, the above paragraph seems silly. But this book is introspective, thoughtful, and highly imaginative in the way it examines humanity through the scope of one, small, seemingly insignificant teenage boy and his immense responsibility he is given. After all, he’s trying to lead a normal life. He’s still grieving after his boyfriend died by suicide the previous year, his grandma’s Alzheimer’s is getting worse, and his family barely has enough funds to keep food on the table.
So this chance at the world ending? He might just take it.
“As human beings, we're born believing that we are the apex of creation, that we are invincible, that no problem exists that we cannot solve. But we inevitably die with all our beliefs broken.”
Why You Should Read It
For a book that starts out about alien abductions, it turns thoughtful and inquisitive very quickly. And it does so in a way that doesn’t feel pretentious or presumptuous. It takes an average teenager and presents them with the big, enormous questions we all find ourselves asking at some point or another: What am I doing here? Do I matter? I find that, for me anyway, when I’m feeling most lost or anxious, reading about characters feeling the same way can help me feel less alone.
Another book I recommended last year, Spontaneous, had a similar sort of surface silliness with bigger questions underneath, though We Are the Ants is a bit more serious. Another older YA space book I have on my TBR currently are The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum, and one I wholeheartedly recommend for something more sinister but still dealing with big questions of morality is Bent Heavens by Daniel Kraus.
Next Up
Sometimes when I’m not really sure what I want to read next, I like to pick a book out of my TBR jar. It’s a tiny jar with a bunch of slips of paper of titles I own but haven’t read yet. It was a super fun project several years ago, and now it sits on my shelf waiting for me to leave it to fate. I drew Theory of Shadows out this morning, and to be honest, I had no idea I even had this book. Once I found it on my shelf, I vaguely remembered being sent this book by the publisher, and after reading the back, it sounds like it’s going to be great! It’s a story about a real chess champion in the 1940s who was found dead under mysterious circumstances. I don’t know much more than that, but with chess’s recent headlines, this could be a timely and fascinating read.
What are you all reading this week? I’d love to chat with you about books, so let me know what you’re reading or if you’re looking for a specific recommendation!
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read a novel where teenagers spontaneously combust in math class
Read a novel about a reality TV family keeping secrets behind the cameras
I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!
Sponsor an issue of Reading Under the Radar! Add your own banner image or use text only, and link to your publication, product, or service. Fill out this form to inquire about sponsoring a newsletter and featuring your book or publication!
I had my book club read Bent Heavens last year and the morality theme / topic was such a huge part of the discussion. I did not expect that kind of heaviness from that book but boy did it get dark and boy did it get heavy!!
I loved We Are the Ants! I read it ages ago and still find myself thinking about it.