Martha Wells: All Systems Red

All Systems Red is a fun and easy sci-fi read. Focusing on an anonymous SecUnit, which calls itself Murderbot, the story lets you inhabit the inner workings of this robot as it learns what to do with its newfound autonomy.

At times it reads like a mystery, hinting that the world in the book just the tip of a vast universe. The reader is dropped onto an alien planet for some unspecified reason and quickly learns that things are not as they seem, suggesting nefarious forces at work.

While the ultimate mystery remains largely unanswered, it's a fun ride watching Murderbot navigate challenges to keep its humans alive while also dealing with basic social anxiety. Murderbot's voice and mannerisms appear to mirror non-neurotypical humans, and the story is worth reading just for its empathetic portrayal of the autistic experience.

While not the most profound story, it would make a great vacation read if you just want an easy escape.