Monk and Robot: A Psalm for the Wild-Built and a Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

I was going to only feature a hardback of A Psalm for the Wild Built, but instead went with this new paperback release of the duology. Anecdotally, people who read A Psalm for the Wild Built re-read it again immediately, and rush to get the second book. Why not go ahead and buy both for cheaper than one? I would have. 

Sibling Dex (not brother or sister, but the gender neutral sibling) suffers from a problem many of may have experienced: feeling uninterested in your work, after passionately studying to be the best in their field. They are a tea monk, who travels around the continent offering comfort through specially made tea blends. They don't feel that it is enough. One day, they decide to take a little break and explore an abandoned monastery. On the way, they meet a robot. Robots in this universe gained sentience and chose to abandon human society. There had not been a meeting with a robot in forever. Through Splendid Speckled Mosscap's friendship, Dex discovers ways to work through their unease. In the sequel, their adventures continue.

These novellas are about the tension of feeling like one needs a "purpose" to have a worthy life. It's also about recovering from overpopulation and depending on oil and technology. These are two of my favorite books of all time. The sequel also has one of my favorite images, which is Mosscap declaring "Congratulations on the the sex!" to its friend.