Greetings, Bookworms!
You know how I’m always rattling on and on about books and how you should read them? Sometimes I actually take other people’s advice. Really. I listen when you give me suggestions, I promise. Case in point. A few weeks ago I put together an Idiosyncratic Lit List dedicated to robot stories. When I posed the question at the end of the post as to what I’m missing in the genre, I heard a loud chorus of “Sad Robot Stories
Available through small press CCLaP Publishing, Sad Robot Stories by Mason Johnson is a novella that will warm the cockles of even the most robotic heart. Our hero is a robot… Named Robot. Because why not? He was always uncommonly fond of humans for a mechanical being. He even came to befriend and love a human family.
Sadly, that was before the world was destroyed and humanity snuffed out. All that remain are robots, which is perfectly fine with most of the android population, but our poor Robot is heartbroken. Seeing the glimmers of what makes humanity good through Robot’s eyes is a fantastic journey.
It’s not all wistful looks at humankind, though. Sad Robot Stories is darkly comedic and filled with poignant satire. You’ll be hard pressed not to laugh, cry, and fall head over heels in love with Robot. You bookworms have never steered me wrong, and Sad Robot Stories was no exception!
I’d like to thank Monika from A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall in particular for her, uh, gentle? persuasion in getting me to read this book. You know, if you consider emailing someone a direct link to a free downloadable copy of the book gentle persuasion (you dirty, dirty book pusher, you.) That said… You can download this book FOR FREE from the CCLaP site. If you love it (and I know you will) you can make a donation commensurate with your enjoyment. OR you can just buy the thing outright. That totally works too. Go get your robot on, Bookworms!
Talk to me, Bookworms. What other gems am I missing out on? Sound off on recommendations, I’m all ears!
Camilla
Oh, this sounds so wonderful! On to the linky.. (and I love how you join in the fun of being a book pusher 😉
Ad for recommendations, that is a difficult task, but this year I have read 2 particular books that must be mentioned and that I think you would enjoy:
“The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman – now I’ll readily admit to being a huge Gaiman fangirl, but even with that in mind, this is one of the most touching and magical and haunting stories I have ever read. It reminds you of that equally wondrous and scary time that childhood was and does so in the most lyrical way.
“The Day of the Triffids” by John Wyndham – one of the absolute best dystopian novels I’ve ever read! And that is saying a lot!
I know that you really liked “Alas, Babylon”, and “Triffids” is the same type of dystopia – classic, haunting and something that sticks in your mind for a very long time. I held off reading it for a long time because of evil plants, but really, it’s about so much more and so amazing. For a bit in depth, I reviewed it on my blog here: http://thegirlwholovedtoread.com/heart-rendering-dystopia/
Camilla // The Girl Who Loved To Read
Words For Worms
Oooh sounds like a great one! I’ve never even heard of it. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
Rhian
Oh my goodness, where to start? It was hard enough choosing a top ten for the first half of the year, let alone top books ever.
From the books I’ve read this year I would recommend The Girl with All the Gifts by M R Carey, Wool by Hugh Howey, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Whisky Charlie Foxtrot by Annabel Smith.
From last year I would recommend Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, World War Z by Max Brooks and The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones.
From before that I need to peruse my library, though a couple that spring immediately to mind are Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, The Messenger by Markus Zusak, Elemental by Amanda Curtin and This is Not a Game by Walter Jon Williams.
Words For Worms
I have Year of Wonders on hold at the library right now!
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf
CCLaP FTW!!! Yes!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Robot is the best. And I’m happy to be your book pusher…though if you’d waited much longer I was about to be more like the book mafia! 😉
Words For Worms
LOL, I like to picture you as the book mafia with “C” as your enforcer. Kill ’em with cuteness.
Samantha
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! I really liked this little novella, and it was tear-jerking, the whole thing. Loved it.
I just finished Landline (loved), and am currently reading Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay. I’d definitely recommend that one, it’s a collection of short essays. 🙂
Words For Worms
Yes, I really do need to check out Bad Feminist, I’ve heard so many great things!
Katie @ Doing Dewey
Ooh, thanks for the download link! This sounds like a very cute story and I’ve been hearing good things about it for a while, so I’ll hopefully get a chance to read it 🙂
Words For Worms
Definitely! It’s a short one, I hope you can squeeze it in.
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
Already downloaded it because you and Monika.
Words For Worms
Muahaaha!
Sarah Says Read
Oooooo WANT! I’m going to buy it for my Kindle, it sounds so good!
Words For Worms
You’ll like it, it’s very Sarah!
Allison @ The Book Wheel
I read this one at the recommendation of Rebecca at Love At First Book and am so glad that I did. It’s such a short little gem of a read that I think everyone should take a day to read!
Words For Worms
Definitely worth it!