Two recent books of speculative fiction examine the past and the near future using technologies that purport to help humanity. They raise questions of the nature of happiness and person-hood through compelling characterization and subtle world-building.

Mem: A Novel explores a Montreal of the mid 1920s, fully integrating a scientific discovery that allows the wealthy to extract memories that they find too disturbing to relive. The memories are physical beings, humanoid in appearance, but stuck in a time loop, without a way to attain their own thoughts and feelings. They have a short lifespan within an underground vault. All except for Elsie, a Mem who has lived for 18 years in the world, able to take care of herself and in most respects a separate entity from the mind of her origin. Called back to the vault and in danger of being reprinted, she begins a friendship with her doctor in order to find out why she is different and how she can prove that she is a person.

Tell the Machine Goodnight, set in the Bay area in about 15-20 years or so, imagines a multinational corporation that has developed technology that can read DNA and recommend actions to make the holder of that DNA happy. Told through multiple perspectives centered around an Apricity technician named Pearl, the book examines what semi-guaranteed happiness plans for those who can pay would do to the everyday fabric of life. Williams has a sharp eye for place and an empathetic but dry-witted voice that makes this an immediately absorbing novel.