Happy Hopepunk Holidays

Celebrate the holiday season with Hopepunk fiction! Hopepunk, as defined by author Alexandra Rowland, is a science fiction subcategory defined as “the opposite of grimdark.” It focuses on characters fighting for societal change, radical kindness, and the good of humanity.


Compiled by:
Maggie H
August Kitko and the Mechas from Space

Alex White
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF White

August Kitko is expecting to play piano at the last party on Earth before humanity is wiped out by the Vanguards. What he doesn’t expect is to be taken by a Traitor Vanguard who hopes to save humanity. Strap in for an action-packed, hopeful space opera.


Binti

Nnedi Okorafor
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Okorafo

In this Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novella, Binti is the first of her people to be accepted at the prestigious Oomza University. On her journey, however, the ship is attacked by the Meduse. Will Binti survive the journey?


The Goblin Emperor

Katherine Addison
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Addsion

When his father and brothers die in an airship crash, half-goblin Maia suddenly ascends to the throne as King of the Elflands. Maia must quickly learn how to rule—but also has to investigate the suspicious death of his family—in this compelling steampunk fantasy.


Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Gaiman

The world is ending on Saturday, much to the displeasure of angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley, and to top it off, someone has misplaced the antichrist. Cowritten by fantasy legends, this face-paced, witty, and darkly humorous story will have readers thoroughly entertained.


The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood
Adult Fiction - Atwood

This multiple award-winning, disturbing story is told by Offred, about the Republic of Gilead (formerly the United States), where women were strictly controlled and only given certain jobs. Offred was a handmaid, whose only purpose was to bear children, and she offers the reader a pertinent tale of resistance.


Light From Uncommon Stars

Ryka Aoki
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Aoki

Shizuka Satomi needs one more violin student—and soul to trade—before she is free from her deal with a demon. She finds it in abused runaway Katrina Nguyen. Her attention is divided these days, though, distracted by a crush on the owner of a local donut shop (who is also an intergalactic refugee). Nominated for a Hugo Award, this is a bittersweet and hopeful novel about love, choice, and found family.


The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Becky Chambers
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Chamber

Hugo award winner Becky Chambers introduces Rosemary Harper, who flees her old life by joining the crew of the spaceship "Wayfarer." Character development is the main focus of this heartwarming and engaging story of a chosen family.


Love After the End: an Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction

Joshua Whitehead
- Editor
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Love

A compelling collection of science fiction stories, these Two-Spirit and queer Indigenous authors write about strength, hope, and love.


The Memory Librarian: and Other Stories of Dirty Computer

Janelle Monáe
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Monae

This is the world of Dirty Computer, where thoughts are controlled and erased by a select few. Then, Jane 57821 decides to rebel. This collection of five thought-provoking and compelling stories were written in conjunction with Monáe’s Dirty Computer concept album and short film.


Saga, Vol. 1

Brian K. Vaughan
Graphic Novels - GN Saga v.1

In this Hugo Award-winning graphic novel, two soldiers on opposite sides of an intergalactic war fall in love and decide to start a family. This moving saga is narrated by their newborn daughter.


The Sol Majestic

Ferrett Steinmetz
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Steinme

While traveling the galaxy with his philosopher parents, Kenna wins a meal at the exclusive Sol Majestic restaurant. What Kenna wasn’t expecting was to find passion, creativity, and love in this coming-of-age tale.


This Is How You Lose The Time War

Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Elmohta

Red works for the world of logic and technology, while Blue is part of an organic mass consciousness. This Nebula and Hugo Award-winning novella starts with the two agents leaving notes for each other in time, and develops into a moving and engaging love story.


Walkaway

Cory Doctorow
Science Fiction & Fantasy - SF Doctoro

Welcome to a world where anything can be 3D printed, needs can be cheaply met, and the rich are only getting richer. In this world, the disaffected just walk away…yet the rich elite do not want these Walkaways to exist. What follows is a gritty, yet ultimately hopeful, techno-thriller.