NNO Book Club: A Psalm for the Wild-Built

This is the in-person event. There is also an online version of this event scheduled for 6:30 pm this same date.

As a book club, we read a LOT of dystopian and speculative fiction and the vast majority are…well, kinda grim. Why does every book have the future being such a downer? I’ve had this author on my list for a long time, but many of her works are more “space stories” than we usually read. But this one sounds perfect – robots and deep thoughts come together in a book I’ve seen described as “cozy" or a “comfort read” more than once.

***Book summary from Goodreads***
Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.

Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story 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 will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

***This month's restaurant selection***
We try to switch up not only locations but also price points for our restaurant selections. In case you overspent or overindulged during the holidays, let’s do Jason’s Deli this month. Lots of tasty options – healthy or more delicious than healthy – whatever your preference!

***Not sure about book club or never been to one before? ***
Read the book (or some of the book). Come to the Meetup. Eat yummy food and chat with folks about what you thought about the book. REPEAT!

***Not sure where to get the book? ***
All books we select have a decent number of copies (at least 3-4 across all formats) at both the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Library. And, of course, you can always buy a copy.

***Didn’t finish/hated this book?***
Come to the Meetup anyway! If you didn't finish - just be aware, there will be spoilers. If you hated it, come and rant! In my experience, the books that generate the best conversations and the books we really love are rarely the same books.