Becky Chambers, celebrated author of the Monk & Robot series, dives deep into the meaning of care and existence through her unique lens of sci-fi. She discusses the 'awakening' of robots and their quest for sustainability, challenging human reliance on technology. The conversation contrasts Dex's restless search for meaning with Moscat's tranquil acceptance. Chambers also explores themes of neurodiversity, companionship, and the philosophical implications of consciousness, painting a thought-provoking picture of the future where care takes precedence over productivity.

Join Becky Chambers and Annalee Newitz as they discuss resisting dystopia, embracing coziness in fiction, respecting AI workers, and the power of small actions in building a better world. Dive into their immersive worlds filled with non-human persons, peace, and hope, exploring new futures through storytelling and collective efforts.

Readers, this show is all about helping you discover your next read—which means we talk each week not only about the books our guests love and Anne's recommendations, but about the authors behind the books. Anne's recommendations and our guests' tastes vary widely, but sometimes we see authors who show up again and again on the show. And in today's episode, we're bringing you conversations with three of these writers who mean something a little extra special to our WSIRN community.Join Anne in conversation with Peter Heller, Tayari Jones, and Becky Chambers, as we explore their writing and reading lives, the books they've loved, and what they recommend we should all read next.To see the full list of books discussed today, check out our website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/308. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices