Looking for something to read outside of Murderbot? Check out these recommendations from your hosts, our listeners, and Martha Wells.
"The first book in the Varkozigan saga. It's sci-fi. It's a little dated in regards to... gender roles but then also sort of not. I do want to say be sure to look up trigger warnings before you read it. I did really enjoy it and I do plan to continue the rest of the series." - Raven
"It's brilliant and it's beautiful. A little heavy because the world that is looking at is fundamentally broken, and how do you combat and stop those things?" - Jess
"Short, weird, and it'll fill you with a little bit of wonder for the world for awhile" - Mark
"I really enjoyed Dungeon Crawler Carl. Problem is that the first book is the weakest and they get stronger and stronger with each one. The first one might seem like it's making fun of certain things, but it's actually a horror about capitalism and people trying to not only survive but also break the system. The corporation parts really reminded me of Murderbot." - Sil
"With the world sliding more and more into line with the corporation rim, it’s really fantastic to read a short little book that is so full of hope. Big recommend from me." - Ben
"Gay, sad, and meaningful. If it feels like the world is ending - read this book and sit with your feelings" - Mark
"It’s a sci-fi novel from 1952. Sort of the prototype for a lot of the themes in Murderbot as well as other dystopian sci-fi books or movies that have come out since. I don’t know that it’s this big influential cornerstone, but I think that the authors looked at specifically the advertising industry and saw how problematic it could become if left unchecked. I’m reminded of this book often when reading Murderbot books. " - Ben
"It is billed as a YA book but I think adults will like it too. It's about the misadventures of a group of smart teenagers and the AI, who kind of reminds me of ART, that tries to protect them. There's a sequel, which I plan to read soon." - Lee
"Court intrigue in a terrifying and beautiful space empire - definitely recommend to anyone who thinks language is interesting" - Mark
Jess and Raven reccommendation plus listener Anthea
"...is one of the best books I’ve read that discusses the topic of personhood, it has bioengineered animals, sentient trains, and a corporation owned planet. It was one of the first times I really thought about it humanity is not our metric, how much thought and communication is needed to be considered a person." - Kerry Jade
"Space opera with an environmentalist message, it explores otherness, and trauma - absolutely made me cry but it is so worth the read. The audiobook performance by Peter Kenny is also brilliant." - Mark
"An Autistic comedian outlines his experience in a clear digestible way. I love his performance in the audiobook." - Mark
"Cozy Sci-Fi, Queer protagonist, and inhuman intelligences with personality." - Mark
"They're very cute; very, very nice to read; very cozy." - Raven