A Closed and Common Orbit - What does it mean to be a Human or an AI?

Teaching My Cat To Read: The “very serious” Book Review Podcast

In this episode of Teaching My Cat to Read, we’re diving into the heartwarming and deeply thought provoking sci-fi novel A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers.

We have a chat about the book’s big themes: identity, belonging, the meaning of family, and what it means to build a life—whether you’re human, an AI, or something in between. With its dual storyline, we’ll follow Lovelace, an AI struggling to adapt to her new humanoid body, and Pepper, a mechanic with a moving backstory. Both tales intertwine to create a story bursting with hope, heart, and a touch of sci-fi magic.

If you’re a fan of books that make you think, laugh, and maybe shed a tear, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. Perfect for fans of thoughtful speculative fiction and anyone looking to add more Becky Chambers brilliance to their shelves. Tune in now for a cosy chat about this award-nominated masterpiece!

Spoilers
There are spoilers for the first book in the Wayfarers series, Long Way To A Small Angry Planet from very early in the episode - if you haven’t read it yet, here’s your sign from the universe!

Content Warnings

NA

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