This year, PADERBORN2READ—The English Book Club celebrates the twelve days of Christmas with twelve curated reading recommendations for the festive season and cozy winter days.
The twelfth day of Christmas, with twelve drummers drumming—the final recommendations drum roll:
The Monk and Robot Duology by Becky Chambers
recommended by PADERBORN2READ member Claire
“Sometimes a person reaches a point in their life when it becomes absolutely essential to get the fuck out of the city.” (p. 5)
Sibling Dex, a tea monk, embarks onto a self-finding journey into the wilderness where they meet an unlikely companion. Robots left human civilization centuries ago, when they became sentient and self-aware. But the robot Splendid Speckled Mosscap, on behalf of all robots, has decided to check in on the humans.
“What do humans need?” (p. 59)
Dex, now in tow with a sentient, talkative, and slightly naïve robot, has to help answer this question while pursuing their own quest of self-fulfillment. They travel throughout the futuristic solarpunk world of Panga, visiting the wilderness and the villages and heading for the city.
Becky Chamber’s Monk and Robot is a thought-provoking yet humorous duology, that deals with topics of identity, self-fulfillment, and sustainability with a sci-fi feel to it. It’s the perfect cozy holiday read to sip your tea to and have the tea monk guide you through the story.
