Romans

Five Books Featuring Robots - Kirsty Applebaum With her new story about artificial intelligence launching this month, TrooFriend author Kirsty Applebaum has picked out her own top 5 books about robots. ​ I, Robot Isaac Asimov If could only choose one book for this list, it would be I, Robot. It’s a collection of connected short stories written mid-twentieth century, featuring the robots manufactured by Asimov’s fictional organisation, U.S. Robotics and Mechanical Men, Inc.  I, Robot explores the ethics and practicalities of artificially intelligent machines, and each story is brilliantly plotted within the strict framework of Asimov’s three laws of robotics. My desert island robot book. Buy Online Runaway Robot Frank Cottrell Boyce I loved this 2019 children’s novel. It tells the story of Alfie, who has a robotic arm due to a terrible accident, and a huge, chivalrous robot called Eric, who is missing a leg. Runaway Robot is both moving and funny, and hints of Arthurian legend are woven into the narrative. Plus there’s a really interesting bit in the back about how Eric is based on a real life ‘automaton’ from the 1920s. Buy Online The Wild Robot Peter Brown The Wild Robot tells the charming, uplifting tale of a shipwrecked robot called Roz, who uses her artificial intelligence to learn from the wild animals that surround her. The Wild Robot is the first middle grade novel from picture book author/illustrator Peter Brown and he has scattered beautiful illustrations throughout its pages. I love the wonderful fairy-tale feel of this book. Buy Online Tin Padraig Kenny Science fiction meets fantasy in this fast-moving adventure story about Christopher and his artificial friends - ‘mechanicals’ who have undergone a process called ‘propulsion’ to bring them alive. Tin is a touching story of humanity and friendship set in an alternative 1930s England. Buy Online Frankenstein Mary Shelly I had to include Frankenstein here. Mary Shelley’s nineteenth century novel has been cited as the first ever work of science fiction - and Victor Frankenstein’s shocking creation, while not a robot, is certainly an artificial intelligence of sorts. Frankenstein explores what it means to be human and examines the ethics and unforeseen consequences of creating a self-aware being. Would the rest of this list even exist without it? Buy Online Many thanks to Kirsty for compiling this guest booklist for us. We couldn't leave it there without adding Kirsty's own new book TrooFriend, which features a series of robots called the 'TrooFriend', which busy parents are encouraged to buy in order to keep their child company. TrooFriend Kirsty Applebaum Imagine having the perfect friend, one who never steals, lies or bullies. Now you can, with the TrooFriend 560, the latest in artificial intelligence! What can go wrong with a robot buddy? Especially one that's developing human characteristics and feelings, and who has just run away with her human? Read our full review on the blog.