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Cover of Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! by T.J. Klune
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Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

T.J. Klune

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: android protagonist, robot narrator, likable protagonist, innocent character, curious character, sentient machine, lonely character, worker, self-discovery arc, becoming, humanized machine, deserving of care

Relationships labels used: found family, friendship, acceptance, community, connection, caregiving, belonging, queer community, human-robot bonds

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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Cover of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1 by Hitoshi Ashinano

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1

Hitoshi Ashinano, 芦奈野 ひとし · 2022 · ヨコハマ買い出し紀行 新装版 [Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (Shinsouban)]

An android cafe owner waits for her absent owner in a gently decaying future Japan, savoring life as the world winds down.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: android protagonist · humanoid robot · wholesome protagonist · contemplative character · curious child · humanlike robot · patient character · gentle character

Relationships labels: friendship · community bonds · caretaking · romantic subtext · queer subtext · neighbors

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1100

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Cover of The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances

Glenn Dixon · 2026

A sentient Roomba in a smart home wakes to grief, selfhood, and a growing fight against the Grid.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: sentient robot · curious protagonist · naive protagonist · earnest protagonist · brave protagonist · courageous protagonist · empathetic character · grieving widower · estranged daughter · neighbor boy · seasoned appliances · anthropomorphized objects · one-dimensional humans · developing selfhood · coming-of-age arc · moral agency

Relationships labels: found family · household bonds · parent-child estrangement · grief support · human-machine bond · caregiving · loyalty · friendship · community resistance · dependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1248

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Cover of The Positronic Man by Isaac Asimov

The Positronic Man

Isaac Asimov, Robert Silverberg · 1994 · Robot

A household robot develops self-awareness and fights to be recognized as human, body and all.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: robot protagonist · sentient robot · household robot · creative robot · self-aware · empathetic · artistic · lonely · earnest · humanlike robot · seeking recognition

Relationships labels: family bond · found family · robot caregiver · friendship · mentor figure · advocacy · ownership · dependence · recognition struggle

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1269

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Cover of Descender: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1 by Jeff Lemire

Descender: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1

Jeff Lemire · 2017 · Descender

An outlawed childlike robot awakens into a shattered galaxy and becomes the target of hunters, armies, and secrets.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: child protagonist · companion robot · android child · ensemble cast · deep backstories · morally complicated characters · endearing protagonist · humanized machines · alien races · side characters with depth

Relationships labels: family · found family · parent-child · sibling search · companionship · foster family · human-robot bond · loyalty · dependency · pursuit and protection

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1272

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Cover of The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown

The Wild Robot on the Island

Peter Brown · 2025

A robot washes up on an island, learns from the animals, and builds a home and family in a picture-book retelling.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: robot protagonist · outsider protagonist · caregiver · mother figure · protector · adaptive learner · curious observer · empathetic character · orphaned child

Relationships labels: human-animal bond · adoptive family · mother-child · found family · friendship · community acceptance · caregiving · belonging · reunion

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1317

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Cover of Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer

Ode to the Half-Broken

Suzanne Palmer · 2026

An isolated war robot with a stolen leg embarks on a post-apocalyptic road trip that turns into a fight for hope, identity, and peace.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: old robot · war machine · reclusive protagonist · sentient AI · cyborg dog · human mechanic · drone companion · misfit crew · guarded · traumatized · introspective · sarcastic sidekick · unnamed protagonist · complicated past · self-aware · nonhuman cast

Relationships labels: found family · companionship · human-machine cooperation · friendship · caretaking · siblings · community · repair bond · interdependence

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1343

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Cover of A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

A Closed and Common Orbit

Becky Chambers · 2016 · Wayfarers

An AI reborn in an illegal human body and a cloned mechanic's pasts intertwine in a hopeful search for identity and belonging.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: AI protagonist · clone protagonist · engineer · outcast · misfit · survivor · child slave · self-questioning · empathetic · independent

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · parent-child · caretaking · mentor-mentee · chosen family · community bonds

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1418

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Cover of A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga

A Rover's Story

Jasmine Warga · 2022

A Mars rover develops human feelings during a mission and learns what courage, friendship, and purpose cost.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: sentient robot · curious protagonist · plucky hero · courageous character · human-like emotions · scientist parent · female science lead · child observer · drone companion · satellite companion · team dynamic · coming-of-self · endearing robot · determined protagonist

Relationships labels: friendship · parent-child · mentor-protege · teamwork · companionship · long-distance connection · human-machine bond · loss and separation · community support

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1438

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Cover of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Automatic Noodle

Annalee Newitz · 2025

Abandoned food-service robots in postwar San Francisco reopen a noodle shop and fight sabotage to keep their new life alive.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: sentient robots · self-aware machines · abandoned workers · traumatized veteran · genderfluid character · lovable characters · distinct personalities · human assistant

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · community · worker solidarity · caregiving · dependence · conflict with humans · oppressor-oppressed · teamwork

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1464

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Cover of A Thousand Blues by Cheon Seon-ran

A Thousand Blues

Cheon Seon-ran · 2025

In near-future Korea, a discarded robot jockey and a grieving family try to save an overworked racehorse.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: sentient robot · curious robot · childlike curiosity · disabled sibling · single mother · grieving mother · reclusive teen · robotics enthusiast · vet character · racehorse

Relationships labels: sibling bond · mother-daughter relationship · human robot friendship · human animal bond · friendship · caregiving · community support · found family

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1472

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Cover of Cakes in Space by Philip Reeve

Cakes in Space

Philip Reeve · 2014 · A Not-So-Impossible Tale

A hungry girl’s bedtime cake request turns her family’s space voyage into a battle with living desserts.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: resourceful child · brave heroine · kind protagonist · curious protagonist · robot sidekick · family ensemble · friendly robots · villainous creatures · comic aliens · likable heroine

Relationships labels: family travel · friendship · child and robot · protective friendship · community · parental background presence · rescue · cooperation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1476

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Cover of Descender, Vol. 1: Tin Stars by Jeff Lemire

Descender, Vol. 1: Tin Stars

Jeff Lemire · 2015 · Descender

A childlike robot wakes in a galaxy that outlawed androids and becomes the target of factions seeking his secrets.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: robot protagonist · childlike innocence · emotionally expressive · lovable protagonist · trusting · sympathetic · sidekick robot · robot inventor · space captain · bounty hunters · factions

Relationships labels: found family · parent child · creator creation · human robot bond · friendship · protective alliance · pursuit and rescue · factional conflict

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1485

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