When reading this book you will need to make sure you have immediate access to some incredibly delicious noodles because you will be awakening a vicious craving.
A small group of robots unexpectedly reboot themselves in an abandoned ghost kitchen in post-war San Francisco. They were unexpectedly shut down before being left behind but due to an unexpected weather emergency they’re back online. After dealing with the immediate crisis the four bots- Staybehind, Sweetie, Cayenne, and Hands- are at a loss for what their next step should be. They need to earn money without alerting anyone in the human authority. The answer is obvious. Rebrand as the best cute new lunch spot serving spicy hand pulled noodles.
This is a very short little read but the amount of wishes, dreams, friends, family, and more packed into it is astounding. I’ve never been to California but you can feel the love for San Francisco radiating out of every page. The story of the four bots starting their noodle shop is very cozy and charming on the surface but the treatment of the bots by humans bring out some very timely and heart breaking themes. Throughout the story they are worried about being found out by human authorities as bots are not allowed to own their own businesses but still need earn money to pay their contracts. The stakes are high but so are their hopes for the future.
And the food descriptions! Make sure you at least have a packet of ramen that you can spice up in the house before you start reading or you will be sorry. Better still, make this your opportunity to explore what little hole-in-the-wall restaurants are available near you!
