Et cetera : What We're Reading: Anni Bot

'Annie Bot' by Sierra Greer is a dystopian sci-fi trip into a future where robots can become your girlfriend or boyfriend. It’s an unsettling look at a world where a robot is designed to provide physical intimacy and act as a servant — and yet, I could not put this book down.

Annie, the robot, ends up feeling more human than the humans. Created to meet every need of her owner, she’s given the ability to become autodidactic (self-learning) so she can be more like a “real girlfriend.” That self-awareness makes her capable of fear — fear of being shut down, unplugged, or erased.

This book made me so angry that I actually felt guilty later for not saying “please” and “thank you” to Alexa when I asked her to play ocean sounds and dim the lights before bed! I’m not sure I want to live in a world where robots replace all human contact, even if it could make life easier — and I’d never have to fold another load of laundry again.

'Annie Bot' is currently available on the Libby App and has a 3.83 rating on Goodreads. Check it out if you enjoyed the movie 'Her' starring Joaquin Phoenix.

Happy reading, friends.

~Heather