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The Busy Parents’ Book Club – “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers

Posted about 2 weeks ago by Jennifer Deuell
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I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back that we’ve made it to the third book of the Busy Parents’ Book Club. I know how easy it is to pick something up and never finish it…especially when you have little ones running around. So congratulations to all of you who have made it this far! 

As a reminder, the goal of this book club is success! We select short books and have flexible timelines (we are busy after all). And there’s no judgement if you don’t finish a book (or two, or any). We get it! Our hope is that you enjoy the journey, not necessarily the destination. 

Speaking of journeys, this month’s book, A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, is just that. A monk and a robot go on a quest to answer the question “what do people need?” To change things up a bit, I’d like to start with my colleague Briesa’s assessment of the work. 

Briesa Koch:

“I just finished A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. Though it took me a while to get through it because, lets be honest, everyone is so busy these days! But despite that, I really loved everything about it. This book is a gentle, thought-provoking blend of sci-fi and quiet reflection. It’s set in a world where humans and robots coexist peacefully, and follows Sibling Dex, a tea monk who’s searching for meaning in their life. What stood out to me most was the soothing, almost meditative tone of the book. Chambers does a fantastic job of creating a world that feels vibrant and alive, yet not overwhelming. The pace is slow, but that’s part of its charm. It feels like a thoughtful stroll through a landscape, allowing you to appreciate the small details. The heart of the story lies in the relationship between Dex and Mosscap, a robot on a quest to understand humanity. Their interactions are heartwarming and surprisingly insightful, exploring deep questions about purpose, connection, and identity. I found myself relating to Dex’s sense of aimlessness and was moved by their journey toward self-discovery. This isn’t an action-packed book, but it doesn’t need to be. Its strength lies in its ability to quietly inspire and leave you with a sense of peace. If you’re looking for a sci-fi novel that’s introspective and hopeful, A Psalm for the Wild-Built is an absolute gem!”

Jenn Deuell:

“I had a somewhat different take on this book. Although this work had some beautifully glowing reviews (on multiple platforms), I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it’s the state of our country right now, or the fact that I have an infant who is depriving me of sleep, but I was unable to slip into the optimistic and meditative state I think the author hoped readers would achieve. I found my mind wandering to the 100 things I had to get done that day, or doom scrolling my phone while listening to the audiobook. I will admit, the robot was humorous and made me chuckle throughout, but I found the monk whiney and annoying. I needed some type of action and more conflict than just in one’s own mind. To be frank, it bored me. See why I led with Briesa’s review? I think a lot of my negativity just comes with the timing of this read. I will likely pick it up again in a few years and see if it sits differently. I definitely don’t want to discourage potential readers. I just think it’s one of those stories that you need to be in the right mood to enjoy. If you’re feeling reflective, definitely give it a try.”

Ben Himmelfarb

“This busy parent thought he’d be clever and listen to the Summary of A Psalm for the Wild-Built available for free on Hoopla Digital. Well, it wasn’t quite as pleasant as reading the book. Summaries might be good for classics or non-fiction, but it seemed to me like an AI-generated recording that lacked all of the nuance and humanity that make writing and reading such powerful activities. Hearing that ‘Dex was very pleased with tea service’ is not the same as listening to an author’s descriptions of character’s internal states or behavior. The ‘summary genre’ ends up violating one of the most basic rules of good writing which is to ‘show don’t tell.’ I will not be utilizing summaries again. Instead of listening to someone (or an AI-generated voice) talk about a book, I think I will just try to be less ‘busy’ and find time for the actual audiobook.”

Next Month’s Read:

 All Systems Red by Martha Wells

 

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Jennifer Deuell

Jenn Deuell is the Library/Community Services Manager of Outreach & Engagement at Richmond Public Library. She is a native of Fredericksburg, VA but has lived in Richmond for long enough that she now considers it home. She (of course) loves reading and has found joy in audiobooks since becoming the parent of two young children. Her other hobbies include traveling and spending time with family, including her rescued pit bull.

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