A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (2021)

Set in a post-industrial utopia where humans and robots parted ways peacefully centuries ago, this novella asks a simple but powerful question: What do people need? A tea monk searching for purpose meets a curious robot who’s equally confused about humanity. Together, they wander a world that’s lush, slow, and kind — the opposite of most sci-fi. Chambers replaces danger with dialogue and spectacle with stillness, crafting something that feels like meditation disguised as storytelling. It’s cozy, hopeful, and quietly profound.

Rating: 5/5