Not every story needs to be about saving the world or preventing the worst fate imaginable. Those stories are surely fun and exciting, but occasionally I need a story that doesn't look that different from my own life and the achievements are so simple I could knock them out in a few days. These kinds of stories can remind you that simple things are also worth celebrating.
"THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER * A TIME BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A WASHINGTON POST BEST FEEL GOOD BOOK OF YEAR For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, a charming, internationally bestselling Japanese novel about how the perfect book recommendation can change a readers' life. What are you looking for? So asks Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian. For Sayuri Komachi is able to sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provide just the book recommendation to help them find it. A restless retail assistant looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recently retired salaryman searches for newfound purpose. In Komachi's unique book recommendations they will find just what they need to achieve their dreams. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is about the magic of libraries and the discovery of connection. This inspirational tale shows how, by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunity and reaching out, we too can fulfill our lifelong dreams. " -from catalog description
This was a "gimme." The first story in this book is all about how when you focus on your life and make one positive change, it can build momentum to making more positive changes that reshape how you see your life. That positive momentum requires far less energy than you would imagine.
"Winner of the Hugo Award! In A Psalm for the Wild-Built , bestselling Becky Chambers's delightful new Monk and Robot series, gives us hope for the future. It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk 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're going to need to ask it a lot. Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?" from catalog description
Becky Chambers excels in crafting characters and worlds that you can't help but get invested in and Brother Dex is a great example and first introduction to her works. A Psalm for the Wild-Built asks some fantastic questions about he nature of consciousness and how one can choose to spend their brief time living anywhere.
Both of these works do an important job of helping their readers romanticize their own lives. A reminder that we can all lead interesting and fulfilling lives should we be open to it. There is an easy comfort in these books that are especially soothing when one is overwhelmed.
