A Psalm for the Wild-Built (A Monk and Robot Book 1) by Becky Chambers

151 pages/4 hours and 8 minutes

Sci-Fi/Cozy/Realism

4.8/5

Formats available: Book, Libby eAudiobook, Libby eBook

“It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.

But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.

They're going to need to ask it a lot.”

I cannot remember where I came across this book as a recommendation for myself and I did not anticipate going into this novella that it would be, in a way, soul shaking or something that I would desire to read again and enjoy like my favorite meal or carry with me like a comfort item. The beautiful thing about this book, for me, is that this story has something for everyone. Yes, this is the most cliché thing I could say but it is the most correct and concise way to present you this book. Becky Chambers did something masterful writing this book and accomplished something that I feel that very few authors have; she wrote to an audience and also to every individual in it. Being a novella one would assume that the world building would be mediocre and leave you unfilled yet with this mini epic I found myself knowing this world and the characters in it without needing to be drowned in details; I became a part of this place instantly and felt peaceful in it, as if I had always known it. I have recommended this book repeatedly to different people that share different lifestyles than myself and we each have found things in this book to share with one another and we all have an appreciation for the discussion that it has created. I highly recommend this book as one of my favorite reads this year. If you are a sci-fi fantasy lover and love a little slice of life done right, this is the book you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up next.

You can find A Psalm for the Wild-Built in our physical library as a Hardback, on Libby as an eBook and an eAudiobook, and Hoopla as an eAudiobook for checkout. For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday. 

Bethann