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Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro
Now 47% Off
Regardless of whether or not you’ve already seen the new Taika Waititi-directed film adaptation of Klara and the Sun, the book is a must-read. Like the movie, it follows the relationship between Klara, a solar-powered “Artificial Friend,” and Josie, a young sick teen who picks the robot pal out at the store. As the story goes, dark truths behind Josie’s illness, the alternative universe the family lives in, and the girl’s mother’s intentions start to surface. I’ve cried each time I’ve re-read it.
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro
Now 46% Off
I first read Never Let Me Go in 2020, per the suggestion of my sister who never fails with book recommendations. Almost instantly, I read it again. (And then I started a countdown to the release of Klara and the Sun.) Similar to the 2021 work, Ishiguro’s 2005 book takes place in a world that almost looks like one we know. It follows boarding-school children as they navigate friendship dynamics, bullies, and crushes. But over time, the reader learns that there’s something a bit more sinister going on. If you want your heart ripped out in the best way possible, or to read something that will make you think of nothing else for weeks, this one’s for you.
Annie Bot, Sierra Greer
Now On Sale
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer is another essential read for anyone drawn to stories about artificial intelligence navigating the complexities of human relationships. The novel centers on Annie, a robot designed to serve and please her owner, as she quietly develops her own sense of self and begins to question the boundaries of her existence. It is a sharp, unsettling, and ultimately moving exploration of autonomy, control, and what it truly means to be free.
