Automatic Noodle

Bookseller recommendation

“This epic tale follows four tossed aside robots (along with their human sidekick) who decide to open a noodle shop in a near-future post-war San Francisco. Utterly bursting with life, flavor, and soul, this is a love letter to food and community that will stay with you for a long time to come. The comfort this book gave me is truly unparalleled.”

— Melissa • BookPeople

Bookseller recommendation

“This is such a cute and cozy sci-fi story and the narrator did some really fun voices for the characters. It was an easy listen for multitasking and the characters are oh-so-lovable. ”

— Kitty • Beyond the Covers

Bookseller recommendation

“Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz is a smart little book that examines prejudice, capitalism, and war, but still manages to be delightful. A group of deactivated robots has to find a way to make a restaurant work in order to not get separated from their found family, and they manage to build a larger community along the way. This is a short, joyous read, and I definitely recommend. ”

— Anne • Katy Budget Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz is a beautifully crafted tale that blends technology and humanity in unexpected ways. The standout feature of this novel is the distinct personalities and backstories of the characters. Each one feels like a unique individual, rich with its own history and emotional depth, despite being a food service bot. The setting of the noodle shop is a perfect backdrop for the themes of found family, warmth, and belonging. It’s not just about food; it’s about what food represents—comfort, tradition, and the ties that bind us together. The narrative is emotionally resonant, offering a tender look at how unlikely bonds can form in the most unexpected places and how community is built, and why we all need it, especially now. ”

— Jessie • Autumn Leaves

Bookseller recommendation

“Never did I think I would be describing a book as "cozy" while also describing it as "a sharp examination of racism, xenophobia and slavery" but somehow Automatic Noodle manages to achieve both of these disparate themes beautifully. It's the story of leftover robots starting their own noodle restaurant in a dystopian post-war San Francisco. Facing anti-robot sentiment and dangers to their newfound freedom, this book was not at all what I expected, but exactly what I needed.”

— Lisa • Bailey Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Queer robots opening a cosy noodle restaurant for humans? What more could you ask for?!”

— Alaw • Schrödinger's Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This is an absolute must-listen audiobook. The narrator, Em Grosland, adds such beauty and life to the powerful and emotional story. The imagery, sensations and flavours throughout the novella juxtapose the characteristic and charming robots that are more attuned to humans than you think. It will absolutely leave you questioning humanity (or lack thereof). An amazing near future, cozy sci-fi by Annalee Newitz. ”

— Bella • Dymocks Karrinyup

Bookseller recommendation

“Simply the best book I've read this year. ”

— Steven • Linden Tree Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Short yet as complex and beautiful as life, this is a hopeful novella of bots, noodles, and found family, perfect for anyone who has been ‘othered’ in life. A new cozy SFF novella with lots to say about society.”

— Valeria Salas Ibarra • Front Street Books

Bookseller recommendation

“The cozy small business success story of Legends & Lattes meets the progressive sci-fi of Becky Chambers, with a flavor entirely its own, in this fresh, heartwarming tale about a motley crew of robots launching a restaurant amid PTSD, prejudice, and review bombing in a future post-war San Francisco. I ATE this book UP and already miss the team at Automatic Noodle and all the friendship, pride, and love found at the bottom of a bowl of their famous biang biang noodles! ”

— Megan • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Come for the cozy novella about robots opening a noodle shop, stay for the allegory on post-war reconstructionism and the struggles of refugees and immigrants. If Hiyao Miyazaki did a post-apocalyptic sci-fi story (again) following the Republic of California's war with The United States of America, plus bigotry, plus social media smear campaigns, plus PTSD, plus queer exploration of self through the lens of 'bots, plus noodles.”

— Elisabeth • Gibson's Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“Ok here’s some fun food fiction that is equal parts cozy, current, and thought provoking. Set in a future time after a second civil war in the United States, in the independent Republic of California, a group of sentient bots take over their ghost kitchen to create their own business selling hand-pulled noodles. As they struggle with discrimination against robots, and a coordinated review bombing, they find a bit of joy in creating a third space in a land that lost its humanity a long time ago (on multiple levels). 4.5 stars ⭐️”

— Betsy • Newtonville Books