A cozy sci-fi novella that tackles themes of capitalism, identity and community against the backdrop of authentic pulled noodles and garlic.

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 4 hours and 12 minutes
🎤: Em Grosland
Honestly, this audiobook was perfection. The narrator does an absolutely excellent job of the different voices needed and had great tempo. The narration was clear and concise. I did have to listen to this a little bit faster than my typical audiobook speed, but it was still done very well and clear. I really think this is going to be a new favor audiobook narrator for me.

Themes:
🤖: Capitalism
🤖: Building Community after war
🤖: Dependance on social media
🤖: Fighting for individuality and acceptance

Representation:
🥢: Cultural and authentic pulled 🍜
🥢: Queer coded characters (robots)
🥢: Immigrant coded characters (robots)
🥢: PTSD rep

Tropes:
💗: Found family
💗: Food porn 🤤
💗: Robots 🤖

🥵: Spice: 🚫
🧟‍♂️: Gore: 🚫
Potential Triggers: Homophobia, discrimination against immigrants, online bullying/attacks **check authors website/social media

Short Synopsis:
In a near-future San Francisco setting a group of forgotten robots pick up the pieces left after war in order to turn an abandoned building into an authentic pulled noodle restaurant. Despite numerous attempts to sabotage their new business against people who are "anti-robot" the restaurant thrives with the diverse and inclusive community that they have built around them.

General Thoughts:
This audiobook was absolutely adorable. I enjoyed this so much. I really feel like the synopsis does not give an accurate representation of just how much is packed into this short novel. This tackles so many important and relevant themes to today's society in a way that is super cute, zany and fun.

The characters and food were the stars of this show. The descriptions of the food were tantalizing. It definitely made me want a nice steaming bowl of noodles. So if you are someone who gets hungry when they read, beware this book will absolutely get you!!

The themes represented throughout the novel are extremely apparent to anybody paying attention to the novel. Watching the robots who are just trying to get by the best way they know how come up against all of these unfair and unwarranted attacks was definitely disheartening, but the grace with which these robots handled the adversity was so commendable. The rising of the community to surround them in love and support was absolutely inspiring. It sometimes does help to know that the voices that are the loudest are usually not the most numerous.

Overall, I really enjoyed the novel and I definitely will read anything else that comes out by this author.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a free audiobook through the Macmillan Audio and NetGalley . All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75 ⭐

In my initial thoughts about this book I described it as soft and charming. I cannot for the life of me tell you why the word soft, except to ask you to read this story and try and find a better word. The characters are crafted with such gentleness, intention, and care that you cant help but see how much love the author had for each.
The world felt lived in and showed real grit for such a cozy story. While it could have come off as at odds with such a cozy story Newitz does a masterful job of showing the rainbow after the storm.

The only thing stopping this book from getting 5 stars for me was the conclusion of the situation surrounding the review bombing. The majority of the tension we feel through the second half of the story centers around the potential fall out of their shop loosing their reputation, so to have it so neatly wrapped up and tied with a bow without any extra conflict felt unrealistic and a little disappointing when everything else in the story was so well executed. Its honestly a minor squabble and its a cozy story not a hard sci-fi epic so I suppose it makes sense.

This was an lovely, light novel that made for an easy listen, would recommend to anyone who already loves cozy fantasy and was thinking of dipping their toes into sci-fi.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan for the review copy of this audiobook.

It's the near future, and America is the same but different: the misinformed fear of the times is “robophobia” and, after the war, California is instead part of the UN. Our group of robot restaurant workers awake from an unknown shut down to find their human employers missing, but their desire to reopen the shop is strong: will our eclectic cast of bots succeed in the noodle business, or will vile American review bombers tank their restaurant on social media?

This was well written, with inventive world building that is so close to real life it’s completely believable. The robots are likeable characters, and even though they’re bots, we see ourselves in them as their struggles mirror those common to present day humans. This can be called cozy sci-fi, full of themes and social issues that resonate for our times. The discussions are sensitive and genuine, though the comparison to present social problems can be a bit overt, but overall there is a balance between these heavier concepts and the happier day-to-day successes of the group. The audiobook narrator does well giving each robot a somewhat unique voice.

Overall, while I might’ve liked more time spent on developing the themes and characters, this was a quick, satisfying read (listen), perfect for those looking for a short cozy robot story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Narrator: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think the narrator Em
Grosland did a wonderful job at bringing these robots to life. Each character has unique voice and was easily recognizable.

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a pretty cute story about robots deciding to take control of their futures and try to bring a bit of happiness to those around them, robots and humans alike.
This story does touch on many social issues but in the guise of conflict between robots right vs human ability to see them as more than machines. I found most the topics felt resolved fairly quickly but this is a cozy novella so there's not much time for a in depth discussion. I did enjoy my time with this story

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

When a group of sentient robots living in post war San Francisco wake up and discover that they sort of own a restaurant, they decide -- despite knowing that robots can't own a business -- that they will do everything in their power to make this work. And so, with each other to lean on, this group of friends is able to work their way around a system designed to work against them in order to open up a noodle shop. But when a reviewer begins to review bomb them, they'll have to do their best to work through the hate and make their dreams come true.

This was a cozy, sci-fi novella of robots opening up a noodle shop and I thought it was actually really sweet. I really enjoyed the friendship between them, and the fact that they are completely there for each other. These robots don't feel like robots at times, like you have one with PTSD from the war, you have one who has a lot of self-doubt, but it's these flaws that give them just enough humanity to make them absolutely lovable. I will admit, I was very hungry while reading this because of all the descriptions of the noodles and the food. But the plot it is cozy, so naturally the main things that they're doing are setting up their little shop and running it, and facing the problems of owning and running a small takeout restaurant. Then there's the review bomber who absolutely sucks (I've seen things like this happen so many times, where one person's opinion is blown out of proportion and it leaves an opening for people to completely review bomb just to feel like they're a part of something) so seeing the robots deal with those issues actually hurt my heart, especially because this was not just a dream that they had, but something that was all theirs for the first time ever in their existence that they can finally claim as their own. And then you have this butthole review bombing them. So as much as this was cozy and sweet and soothing, this also hurt my heart seeing the way people treated and talked to the robots.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

Automatic Noodle is a touching, thoughtful, and cozy near-future novella with a delightful plot and compelling characters.

I had a blast with this one. The world-building was wonderful, and the plot was entertaining. The characters were sweet and quirky, and I enjoyed the found family aspect. Some of the character development felt abrupt, but I still enjoyed the wonderful characters. The story, near-future San Francisco setting, and incorporation of food and technology were delightfully creative and well-written. The food descriptions were delicious, and I longed for more. The pacing was lovely, and I did not want the story to stop. Annalee Newitz’s prose was beautiful and propulsive. I highly recommend this adorable story!

Em Grosland narrated this story wonderfully. Their voice fit the story and characters well, and I loved the energy and emotion they brought to the novella.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

As soon as I started listening to this on a random drive I knew I had to pause and back up because this story was hitting way harder than I expected it to and it needed my true focus. I loooooved this book, it immediately made me feel the way I did when I read Becky Chambers's Psalm for the Wild-Built. It's the perfect read for this political climate and how AI affects our lives and our ethics. This is the perfect blend of cozy sci-fi and dystopia that is both feel good and the source for some moderate self reflection. The audio was also an excellent listen as the narrator's voice fit the tone perfectly and took the story up a notch.

I listened to the audiobook version and it was fantastic, the narrator was perfect.
It was short, sweet, but powerful. The characters are full of hope and love despite living in a world hostile to their kind and having to endure segregation.
Having such passionate descriptions of food as the conductive thread of the story was brilliant, and the tastes felt as vivid as the characters.
It is beautiful writing.
Thank you McMillan audio for this ARC!

I honestly didn’t expect this book to make me emotional. It’s pretty dark at times, but it also made me snort with laughter. Would I call it cozy? Not exactly, but it’s definitely low-stakes. I do think it has the potential to be expanded into a full-length novel. The narrator is superb, and each character has a distinct voice that made them easy to tell apart.

i would not really describe this book as cozy. most of it is in fact about xenophobia, and the after effects of war. it does fit well into an "escapist novel" where enough of the societal structures we recognize are implemented in a way that could be inoffensive or even appealing. the problem is of course, that these structures and their significant failings often go unexamined. this book, seems quite aware of the damages that systematic bigotry, war, and violence can do, but cannot seem to identify when it appears in their own writing, unless it's preaching about it.

it is almost always a poor experience when an author, especially a white author utilizes the real world oppression of people of color for some sort of inhuman creature, and this book was no exception. despite the robots of this book clearly being an immigrant allegory, as well as a general allegory for people of color living under a racist society, this book has almost no interest in their stories at all.

there are characters of color of course, this book is set in san francisco, but everyone of them meets the robots with the same brand of banal acceptance and acknowledgement. nowhere, do we stop and discuss (or even offhandedly mention) their own experiences with immigration or racism in america, then as california, an independent country. nowhere do we talk about their feelings on robots, be they be positive or negative. nowhere do we dwell on their place in this new but familiar country. but you can bet that all the angry white people get their time in the sun.

this becomes a noticeable problem when they introduce the character robles. for background, after going to war with america, california becomes a free independent country in the 2060s. HEEI's (a type of sentient robot) are granted independence, but limited freedoms. because of their limited freedoms, many bots are still stuck in the fate of glorified enslavement contracts, or at risk of being smuggled over the border, and truly enslaved. without money, robots who work at establishments that were shut down, or robots who cannot pay their contracts are at risk of enslavement, trafficking, murder, and etc. so, the robots here, when the owners of their food shop ran away, decide to open a noodle shop to pay off all their expenses, so they can all stay together and whole.

robles, is the only prominent human character. he is strongly implied to be an undocumented mexican immigrant who previously worked at the restaurant. when we first meet him, he's sick, homeless, and ends up working for FREE, for the robots in exchange for a place to stay (in the kitchens) and food to eat (whatever is being prepared). never once do we acknowledge or address robles predicament and i'm not sure how aware the book is that this is an incredibly racist plotline. it really is just cheap undocumented immigrant labor, but for cozy sci-fi loving white liberals. at the end of the novel, all the robots are compensated, the contracts and the lease are paid off, and they've even made a profit. robles, is still sleeping on a cot in the restaurant because the robots are still not paying him a wage, at all. this is of course, never addressed.

the rest of the plot was honestly rather forgettable. i think the robots themselves and their respective dynamics were done fairly well, but that just reveals more problems for me. why is there more care and empathy for the robots, than the human's who real lives this book has pilfered from?

if this book was actually about robots, and not a thinly veiled stand in for immigrants, i may have actually enjoyed this more. when you begin to compare the plight non human creatures to humans (namely minorities... why) it almost always ends up dehumanizing, and often perpetuating the very racial oppression it sets out to address. not to mention, the insular "cozy" (though i've mentioned how i don't feel that's totally accurate) nature of the novel constructs a narrative that is opposed to challenge and has a penchant for escapism. but like other cozy novels, the coziness is coming from bigoted systematic structures that the books implement with no further thought. when write and read these "cozy" escapist stories, i think we ought to start asking ourselves, who here gets to escape? who gets to feel that comfort and coziness? not people of color, i'll tell you that much.

Far too often, I tend to pick up stories where technology is the big evil, so this cozy take on robots was so refreshing. "Automatic Noodle" delivered exactly what's expected from a cozy sci-fi novella while still conducting poignant discussions. The cast of characters were all so unique and had their own personalities and quirks. Such a cute audiobook experience.

Automatic noodle

Cozy found family story about robots fitting into a world that has only begun to accept them and opening a noodle shop.

I have to admit that I almost DNF this book that doesn’t really have a lot to do with the book itself. I have trouble with novellas and how quick things happen in it. The set up took about 50% for me and then once it hit the halfway point I grew more in tune with the book and the story and really was able to focus more on it. The first part was just a lot of world building it felt that I had trouble grasping and picturing in my head.

The allegory is a bit too on the nose for me, replace robot with a minority group. I think it was important to listen to and see and read but also was a bit too obvious and took away from the sci fi of it.

The narrator is PERFECT. I absolutely loved how they were able to capture such great voices for every single character, each absolutely distinct from the other and matching personality/robot/etc. I think it was just amazing and did immerse me into the story. I’m unsure if it would have been easier to grasp the worldbuilding at the start by physically reading the physical novella but the narrator is truly what kept me going for long enough to finally be drawn in.

Thank you so much for the early copy of the ALC and I hope many others pick it up to enjoy such a well narrated version of this cozy sci fi!

CW: war (in the past), xenophobia

I really enjoyed this little book! A cosy story about robots that open a noodle shop, it has all the cosy vibes I love: found family, food, going up against the odds and beating them!

While this is a cosy story, it also discusses some pretty heavy topics. It’s taking place in 2065 (iirc), just a bit post war, where California has gained its independence from America. It’s interesting to see the parallels to what we’re currently seeing in the US in terms of attitudes towards “others”, and how that was a catalyst to California fighting for its independence. There are discussions of losing friends and loved ones, as well as PTSD, and the idea of people who are “illegal”.

I really loved how the small gang of robots (and one human) were able to use creativity to beat the xenophobes (robophobes, in the book) who were trying to shut down their little noodle shop. Overall, this is a story of love winning against hate and that haters are really brave when they’re sitting behind a screen, but it’s the people who actually show up that really matter.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the title: Automatic Noodle. What is an automatic noodle? It sounds so whimsical and fun, and we all need more whimsy in our lives. I love me some good whimsy.

I also thought that this cover was so fun, I loved the interesting art, art style and the coloring! Give me whimsical covers too!

This story follows a group of robots who open up their own noodle shop. And it just so happens to be located in the San Francisco area, since I am also from that area, I thought that was cool! You don't find many stories that take place in California, especially not the Bay Area.

I did find it a bit slow at times, but it is a chill story, so I should've expected that.

I think this is perfect for fans of Psalms for the Wild-Built. It has a very similar tone, vibe and general message. It's fun, vivid, but it also makes you think. This was also really short, only a four hour long audiobook!

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz is a yummy delight.
4.5 Stars

Post-war San Francisco, a robot and an AI-run noodle shop, and a mystery as rich and delicious as the broth simmering and hand-pulled noodles in the back. This book is a delight, with a dash of dystopia and a heaping spoonful of heart...found family vibes for days.

This quirky novella has all the flavor of a late-night noodle binge and the emotional depth of finding family in the most unexpected places. In a city recovering from collapse, where culture clings to the edges and memory is a luxury, this group of robots is simply trying to do what they love: serve the masses delicious food, dodge trouble, and perhaps forge their path into the future.

As always, they hooked me with the promise of found family. I'm a sucker for it.

Themes:
🍜 Post-Apocalyptic Food Culture
🤖 Robot & AI Besties
🏙️ Rebuilding After War
💾 Memory as Commodity
🧠 Sentient AI Learning to Feel
🫶 Found Family
👩‍🍳 Culinary Noir

Narration: Excellent narration by Em Grosland, absolutely loved it.

Would I recommend this book?
A resounding YES. Especially if you love a little futurism with your comfort food, let this novella take you on a quick journey. It’s short, stylish, and surprisingly moving. You’ll be grinning one moment and questioning your ethics the next. And yes, you will crave noodles the whole time. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Thank you to Tor.com, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy and review this ALC.

So many people are trying to do cozy sci-fi right now and I keep reading the books so i can find perfect ones like this. I loved this story so much -- the bots have been left behind and they have to justify their existence, so they decide to have a noodle shop. They need a human and find someone to be a figurehead. I found myself caring more for these bots than so many human characters -- this story is so funny and smart and well done. I'm going to be recommending this to everyone because I love it so much.

I really thought I was picking up a cozy, quirky dystopian story about robots running a noodle shop—something kind of weird and fun, like Dungeon Crawler Carl but in a sci-fi, non-LitRPG way. What I got instead was a novella that felt more like a political manifesto than a character-driven story.

The worldbuilding is creative and the concept had so much potential—robots with personalities, found family vibes, cooking and identity—but the social commentary was so heavy-handed, it often drowned out the actual plot. I prefer stories where the themes are woven in naturally, not where they are the story.

Cool idea, but it just didn’t hit the way I hoped.

⭐️⭐️ (2/5)

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an Advanced Listener's Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novella checks three of my cozy boxes — food/cooking, healing and found family — but with robots! In future San Francisco robots employed at a restaurant discover that their operator has been MIA for months. What can they do to prevent their team from having to leave to other (less desirable) gigs? I was a bit worried since I did not love Newitz’s The Terraformers, but this felt very different to me. While integrating rich worldbuilding and incorporating current societal issues through the guise of sentient and (eh, mostly) autonomous robots, at the forefront Newitz weaves a cozy story with noodles and finding joy and peace. My main quibble was just that the book’s close felt very abrupt and I wanted something a little bit more that felt like closure. Minor quibble was that my favorite thing about food SFF is when the author really can make you smell, taste, and hunger for the food (I just only got that a little here). Regardless of that, I really enjoyed this book/audiobook and I think this one will have mass appeal.

This cozy sci-fi novella is exactly that - cozy!
The characters have such life and the audiobook narrator does a great job of distinguishing each characters voice and personality
In a post apocolyptic world a scrappy group of bots (and one human accomplish) start their own restaurant - it’s feel good and emotional in a fantastic way.

This one was so good. I needed something that left me feeling a little hopeful and this definitely hit the spot. The audio narration was wonderfully done. It’s an easy cozy read and I’m definitely going to reread this one sometime. I’m going to be checking out more of this author’s work.