Dry by Neal Shusterman Summary
Overview of Dry
When California's taps run dry, teenagers fight for survival in this eerily prophetic father-son thriller that publishers rushed to release as real water crises unfolded worldwide. What happens when your shower becomes more valuable than gold?
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When the Taps Run Dry: A Nightmare Becomes Reality
Imagine waking up one morning to find your faucets completely dry. Not just yours-everyone's. No warning, no timeline for restoration, just... nothing. This nightmarish scenario forms the heart of "Dry," where Southern California's water supply suddenly vanishes in what becomes known as the "Tap-Out." The crisis begins during teenager Alyssa Morrow's routine shopping trip to Costco, where she discovers empty water shelves and demonstrates remarkable adaptability by grabbing bags of ice instead. This early triumph is short-lived when a businessman attempts to commandeer their ice supply, foreshadowing how quickly social contracts dissolve when resources become scarce. The suburban landscape transforms with unsettling speed. Sprinklers fall silent, swimming pools become precious reservoirs, and friendly neighbors suddenly regard each other with suspicion. Meanwhile, Kelton McCracken's family-long dismissed as paranoid "preppers"-suddenly seem prophetic with their 35-gallon water tank, extensive food stores, and sophisticated filtration systems. By the crisis's third day, as military vehicles requisition water from public facilities and household taps run completely dry, the veneer of civilization wears dangerously thin. When desperate neighbor Roger Malecki confronts the McCrackens about water for his infant, the violent confrontation demonstrates how quickly survival instincts override social bonds.
Society Unravels: Three Days to Animal
The Desperate Journey: When Survival Trumps Morality
Fire and Water: Nature's Brutal Extremes
The Aftermath: Living with What We've Done
The New Normal: When Crisis Reshapes Reality
When the Well Runs Dry: The Fragility of Civilization
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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