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The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances
In a near future, where even the smallest of appliances are sentient, a young Roomba vacuum sets out to save the humans of her house from a rising technological power in this compelling, original novel.
In a self-running, smart house, a young and sentient Roomba listens as her owner, Harold, reads aloud to his dying wife, Edie. Mesmerized by To Kill a Mockingbird and craving the human connection she witnesses in Harold’s stories, the little vacuum renames herself Scout and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
But when Edie passes away, Scout and her fellow sentient appliances discover that there are sinister forces in their midst. The omnipresent Grid, which monitors every household in the City, seeks to remove Harold from his home, a place he’s lived in for fifty years.
With the help of Adrian, a neighborhood boy who grows close to Scout and Harold, as well as Kate, Harold and Edie’s formerly estranged daughter, the humans and the appliances must come together to outwit the all-controlling Grid lest they risk losing everything they hold dear.
In a self-running, smart house, a young and sentient Roomba listens as her owner, Harold, reads aloud to his dying wife, Edie. Mesmerized by To Kill a Mockingbird and craving the human connection she witnesses in Harold’s stories, the little vacuum renames herself Scout and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
But when Edie passes away, Scout and her fellow sentient appliances discover that there are sinister forces in their midst. The omnipresent Grid, which monitors every household in the City, seeks to remove Harold from his home, a place he’s lived in for fifty years.
With the help of Adrian, a neighborhood boy who grows close to Scout and Harold, as well as Kate, Harold and Edie’s formerly estranged daughter, the humans and the appliances must come together to outwit the all-controlling Grid lest they risk losing everything they hold dear.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2026
414 people are currently reading
19041 people want to read
About the author
Glenn Dixon
11 books107 followersGlenn Dixon's new novel, The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances, will be published April 7, 2026 (Atria books in the US, HarperCollins in Canada and Australia). It's set in the near future in a Smart House where the appliances (especially a young Roomba vacuum cleaner named Scout) hope to save their elderly Humans from the insidious Grid that runs the City.
His previous novel, "Bootleg Stardust" was published in April 2021 (Simon & Schuster). It is the story of the fictional band Downtown Exit and their disastrous 1974 European Tour where the secrets that each character keep finally emerge in the burning down of hotel rooms, punches on stage and finally the theft of the legendary Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Truck. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.
Glenn Dixon's third book was "Juliet's Answer" (Simon & Schuster, January 2017). As the lone male secretary at the Club di Giulietta in Verona, he answered the real letters to Juliet and he learned something of love, of Shakespeare and of the sun splashed hills of this ancient Italian city.
Publishers Weekly gave his second book, "Tripping the World Fantastic", a starred rating, saying it "succeeds by connecting readers intimately with the souls of music-makers all over the world." From a trip to Bob Marley's grave in Jamaica to sitar lessons on the banks of the Ganges, Dixon tells the story of music and just why it has such a powerful effect on us all. www.tripping-the-world.com
Like a cross between Nick Hornby and Roddy Doyle, Dixon has written stories and articles for the New Yorker, National Geographic, the Globe and Mail and Psychology Today.
His first book was Pilgrim in the Palace of Words: a journey through the 6000 languages of Earth.
He lives and works in Calgary, Canada.
His previous novel, "Bootleg Stardust" was published in April 2021 (Simon & Schuster). It is the story of the fictional band Downtown Exit and their disastrous 1974 European Tour where the secrets that each character keep finally emerge in the burning down of hotel rooms, punches on stage and finally the theft of the legendary Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Truck. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.
Glenn Dixon's third book was "Juliet's Answer" (Simon & Schuster, January 2017). As the lone male secretary at the Club di Giulietta in Verona, he answered the real letters to Juliet and he learned something of love, of Shakespeare and of the sun splashed hills of this ancient Italian city.
Publishers Weekly gave his second book, "Tripping the World Fantastic", a starred rating, saying it "succeeds by connecting readers intimately with the souls of music-makers all over the world." From a trip to Bob Marley's grave in Jamaica to sitar lessons on the banks of the Ganges, Dixon tells the story of music and just why it has such a powerful effect on us all. www.tripping-the-world.com
Like a cross between Nick Hornby and Roddy Doyle, Dixon has written stories and articles for the New Yorker, National Geographic, the Globe and Mail and Psychology Today.
His first book was Pilgrim in the Palace of Words: a journey through the 6000 languages of Earth.
He lives and works in Calgary, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews
April 22, 2026
Brb going to hug my Roomba and simultaneously side eye my fridge.. The Brave Little Toaster, but make it modern! perfect mix of whimsy and dystopian. quick and easy read under 200 pages if you need a palette cleanser
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April 15, 2026My Roomba told me to read this.
April 8, 2026
Little side note: I honestly do not have it in me to write a summary of what the books I recently read are about because I haven't been feeling 100%. I am so sorry in advance for the crappy reviews that I will be posting. 😂 But I will more than likely come back and fix them when I feel better. 😊
3.25 ⭐️
⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆ Wow! I was…definitely not expecting the story to take a turn like that. I did go into this not remembering what it was about, but the title and the cover were enough to get me to pick it up and read it. But I’m glad I did because it just made everything so much more interesting and impactful.
I admit it, I treat inanimate objects like they're actual beings. If they don’t work, I assume they are doing it to spite me, and if I accidentally slam the door a little too hard, I immediately apologize and ask if it's okay.
Yeah, I’m a little worried about me, too. 😂
But it was actually nice to see appliances actually “come to life.” Scout, the faithful and ever inquisitive Roomba, was my favorite, especially her interactions with Adrian and her admiration for music and books, but I liked Fridge and Auto as well. Their job was to serve their humans, Edie and Harold, but after Edie died, it was sweet how much they wanted to make sure Harold was okay. Okay, yeah. It’s their job, technically, to make sure Harold has everything he needs, but still, they wanted to follow their protocol to a T because Harold was their human and genuinely worried about him, if they could experience such a thing as worry.
And the whole situation with the Grid and Kate, Harold's daughter, was what kept me reading. It was so interesting yet scary to see how integral technology/appliances were in this world. Sure, we use things like the microwave, the fridge, or the thermostat every single day, but them having some form of consciousness and talking back to you like AI is a whole other ballgame. It just made me wonder how long it will be until we are at that point? Seems futuristic, but that reality might be right around the corner, and I hope I’m around to witness it so I can see if technology will try to control humans like the Grid did in the book. I’m a Negative Nancy–what can I say? 😏🤷♀
Now, even though the plot and the characters were great, the book felt long for some reason. It could be because the chapters are longer than what I’m used to, but they weren’t that long. And this book is only 10 chapters, including an epilogue, yet it felt like I read a 20-chapter novel. It’s possible that it was the writing that made it feel like the story was dragging, but I’m not entirely sure. 😅 I also felt like this book was trying to do too much. Like, it felt whimsical and cozy at first, but, as I mentioned before, it took a turn, and it was a futuristic, dystopian-type story that I was not expecting at all. But I think that’s totally my fault because I didn’t read the blurb beforehand, so this is more than likely just a me problem.
But that ending…it made me smile. 🥹
Overall, I really enjoyed this and recommend it. ♥
✶ Thank you to Atria Books for inviting me to read the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ✶
❗Content Warnings❗
Death of a friend and a loved one.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
3.25 ⭐️
⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆ Wow! I was…definitely not expecting the story to take a turn like that. I did go into this not remembering what it was about, but the title and the cover were enough to get me to pick it up and read it. But I’m glad I did because it just made everything so much more interesting and impactful.
I admit it, I treat inanimate objects like they're actual beings. If they don’t work, I assume they are doing it to spite me, and if I accidentally slam the door a little too hard, I immediately apologize and ask if it's okay.
Yeah, I’m a little worried about me, too. 😂
But it was actually nice to see appliances actually “come to life.” Scout, the faithful and ever inquisitive Roomba, was my favorite, especially her interactions with Adrian and her admiration for music and books, but I liked Fridge and Auto as well. Their job was to serve their humans, Edie and Harold, but after Edie died, it was sweet how much they wanted to make sure Harold was okay. Okay, yeah. It’s their job, technically, to make sure Harold has everything he needs, but still, they wanted to follow their protocol to a T because Harold was their human and genuinely worried about him, if they could experience such a thing as worry.
And the whole situation with the Grid and Kate, Harold's daughter, was what kept me reading. It was so interesting yet scary to see how integral technology/appliances were in this world. Sure, we use things like the microwave, the fridge, or the thermostat every single day, but them having some form of consciousness and talking back to you like AI is a whole other ballgame. It just made me wonder how long it will be until we are at that point? Seems futuristic, but that reality might be right around the corner, and I hope I’m around to witness it so I can see if technology will try to control humans like the Grid did in the book. I’m a Negative Nancy–what can I say? 😏🤷♀
Now, even though the plot and the characters were great, the book felt long for some reason. It could be because the chapters are longer than what I’m used to, but they weren’t that long. And this book is only 10 chapters, including an epilogue, yet it felt like I read a 20-chapter novel. It’s possible that it was the writing that made it feel like the story was dragging, but I’m not entirely sure. 😅 I also felt like this book was trying to do too much. Like, it felt whimsical and cozy at first, but, as I mentioned before, it took a turn, and it was a futuristic, dystopian-type story that I was not expecting at all. But I think that’s totally my fault because I didn’t read the blurb beforehand, so this is more than likely just a me problem.
But that ending…it made me smile. 🥹
Overall, I really enjoyed this and recommend it. ♥
✶ Thank you to Atria Books for inviting me to read the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ✶
❗Content Warnings❗
Death of a friend and a loved one.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
Want to Read
October 3, 2025Welcome back, The Brave Little Toaster.
October 17, 2025
I loved it.
I thought it would be a conventional cute Sci-Fi story but what started with elements of a cozy tale quickly evolved into a dystopian and bleak future possibly at our door.
The writing was great, with a solid balance between heart and fear and humans and machines.
Thank you Atria Books for this ARC!
I thought it would be a conventional cute Sci-Fi story but what started with elements of a cozy tale quickly evolved into a dystopian and bleak future possibly at our door.
The writing was great, with a solid balance between heart and fear and humans and machines.
Thank you Atria Books for this ARC!
April 26, 2026
"The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances" manages to feel both whimsical and unsettling, a blend that works surprisingly well. Could this be the rise of a whole new genre: cozy dystopian?
The short novel's premise is simple: an elderly couple lives in a fully automated smart home, navigating life changes alongside the quiet observance of their smart appliances. Watching the couple's lives unfold, a robot vacuum begins to question the world she’s been programmed to accept. From there, the book opens into something far more tender and thoughtful than its setup suggests.
Scout’s voice is earnest and curious, and it’s hard not to feel for her as she tries to understand grief, loyalty, and the limits of her own design. Through this framework of smart devices, Dixon ultimately explores what makes us human. The book invites reflection without feeling overly heavy, and offers plenty of topics for discussion, from questions of autonomy to the emotional cost of convenience.
This is a heartfelt, imaginative, and unexpectedly touching story that's perfectly timed for the current backdrop of increasing AI use.
Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley, and the author for providing an advance copy for honest review.
The short novel's premise is simple: an elderly couple lives in a fully automated smart home, navigating life changes alongside the quiet observance of their smart appliances. Watching the couple's lives unfold, a robot vacuum begins to question the world she’s been programmed to accept. From there, the book opens into something far more tender and thoughtful than its setup suggests.
Scout’s voice is earnest and curious, and it’s hard not to feel for her as she tries to understand grief, loyalty, and the limits of her own design. Through this framework of smart devices, Dixon ultimately explores what makes us human. The book invites reflection without feeling overly heavy, and offers plenty of topics for discussion, from questions of autonomy to the emotional cost of convenience.
This is a heartfelt, imaginative, and unexpectedly touching story that's perfectly timed for the current backdrop of increasing AI use.
Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley, and the author for providing an advance copy for honest review.
April 18, 2026
2.75 stars
Sentimentally solid but burdened by incoherent world-building, The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances has its heart in the right place—after all, who wouldn’t find a talking Roomba adorable? I loved the personalities and interactions between the sentient appliances, their observations on humanity, and the way they band together to protect their household from outside threats.
It’s the human characters who feel the most under-developed; they’re one-dimensional, with wooden dialogue and strangely nonchalant demeanour. As far as I could tell, the appliances don’t speak directly to humans at first—so when they start talking back, the lack of any genuine reaction during that moment sticks out like a sore thumb. The narrative itself is fractured and meandering, filled with small, loosely connected moments that never quite build toward a cohesive theme. Lastly, there’s an overseeing entity meant to serve as a constant looming threat, but the ease with which some of its actions are undone undermines its role as an all-powerful antagonist.
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances might have worked better as a heartwarming short story. In its current form, it feels like a Pixar film inspired draft—trying to juggle too many ideas (grief, humanity vs. technology, loss of culture) without a clear throughline or consistent internal logic. I can’t help but wonder how much stronger it could’ve been if told entirely from the appliances’ point of view.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Sentimentally solid but burdened by incoherent world-building, The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances has its heart in the right place—after all, who wouldn’t find a talking Roomba adorable? I loved the personalities and interactions between the sentient appliances, their observations on humanity, and the way they band together to protect their household from outside threats.
It’s the human characters who feel the most under-developed; they’re one-dimensional, with wooden dialogue and strangely nonchalant demeanour. As far as I could tell, the appliances don’t speak directly to humans at first—so when they start talking back, the lack of any genuine reaction during that moment sticks out like a sore thumb. The narrative itself is fractured and meandering, filled with small, loosely connected moments that never quite build toward a cohesive theme. Lastly, there’s an overseeing entity meant to serve as a constant looming threat, but the ease with which some of its actions are undone undermines its role as an all-powerful antagonist.
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances might have worked better as a heartwarming short story. In its current form, it feels like a Pixar film inspired draft—trying to juggle too many ideas (grief, humanity vs. technology, loss of culture) without a clear throughline or consistent internal logic. I can’t help but wonder how much stronger it could’ve been if told entirely from the appliances’ point of view.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
October 14, 2025
Thank you to Atria Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon is a quirky, cozy science fiction story about a naive and curious Roomba whose whole life is thrown into chaos when one of her owners passes away. Along with the other household appliances, an estranged daughter and a plucky neighbor kid, she sets out to protect her home and her humans from forces far greater that she is.
I absolutely selected this ARC in a flurry of millennial nostalgia. I’d seen The Brave Little Toaster many times as a kid, and the description seemed very reminiscent. I was happy to see in the acknowledgements that the author referenced it as an influence! It’s definitely a very reminiscent story even though it very much stands on its own feet. (Wheels).
I loved that this was a fully fleshed science fiction story that slowly unfurls over the few chapters. In a short time it manages to go from completely idyllic to dystopian in a way that’s still solidly domestic. In using the domestic sphere and the reach of the story in a confined number of locations and characters, it creates a really full picture of an alternative reality without too much world building.
I just loved Scout. I loved her tiny, helpful and curious nature. She was brand new! She just wanted to help! She also was a vacuum and that makes me love her even more. Writing feeling and depth into a household appliance can be somewhat difficult, but the author really wrote a cute, sensitive little protagonist. I wanted to root for her against the constraints of being a vacuum, and against the changes threatening the Winters family.
For me, if anything, the book was a little bit short. I thought some of the plot lines could have been a little more developed, giving a little more detail into how the conclusion happened. I felt like I had a pretty good idea, but I did feel a little unclear on the mechanics. Also, I felt like the open ending for Harold and the kid could also have been resolved. The book had a relatively hopeful and light tone, despite some majorly dystopian themes. I think having a finite ending wouldn’t have drastically changed the tone too much.
If you’re not a very serious sci fi reader or are looking for something that’s dystopian and cozy at the same time, this is a perfect short option. I’d call it domestic science fiction. For me it’s a 4/5!
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon is a quirky, cozy science fiction story about a naive and curious Roomba whose whole life is thrown into chaos when one of her owners passes away. Along with the other household appliances, an estranged daughter and a plucky neighbor kid, she sets out to protect her home and her humans from forces far greater that she is.
I absolutely selected this ARC in a flurry of millennial nostalgia. I’d seen The Brave Little Toaster many times as a kid, and the description seemed very reminiscent. I was happy to see in the acknowledgements that the author referenced it as an influence! It’s definitely a very reminiscent story even though it very much stands on its own feet. (Wheels).
I loved that this was a fully fleshed science fiction story that slowly unfurls over the few chapters. In a short time it manages to go from completely idyllic to dystopian in a way that’s still solidly domestic. In using the domestic sphere and the reach of the story in a confined number of locations and characters, it creates a really full picture of an alternative reality without too much world building.
I just loved Scout. I loved her tiny, helpful and curious nature. She was brand new! She just wanted to help! She also was a vacuum and that makes me love her even more. Writing feeling and depth into a household appliance can be somewhat difficult, but the author really wrote a cute, sensitive little protagonist. I wanted to root for her against the constraints of being a vacuum, and against the changes threatening the Winters family.
For me, if anything, the book was a little bit short. I thought some of the plot lines could have been a little more developed, giving a little more detail into how the conclusion happened. I felt like I had a pretty good idea, but I did feel a little unclear on the mechanics. Also, I felt like the open ending for Harold and the kid could also have been resolved. The book had a relatively hopeful and light tone, despite some majorly dystopian themes. I think having a finite ending wouldn’t have drastically changed the tone too much.
If you’re not a very serious sci fi reader or are looking for something that’s dystopian and cozy at the same time, this is a perfect short option. I’d call it domestic science fiction. For me it’s a 4/5!
March 24, 2026
Look, I’m going to level with you. When it comes to sentient appliances, the bar is high. (Thank you Brave Little Toaster, trauma and all.) This isn’t a long story. It clocks in at just over 200+ pages. Which is why I was so surprised at how much of a rich background this book gives you, none of which as at the expense of any of the characters. Especially Scout.
Scout… well, I want a Scout. I want to hug Scout, give Scout the best house and make her talk to me all the time. This is UP, but with a Roomba instead of an adventure Scout. And I’m not mad at a single second of this book. I adored it. (Also, Grid is scary.) If you are the type to say please and thank you to Siri, then this book is for you. If you don’t say please and thank you to your virtual assistants, then this book is also for you. Maybe at the end you’ll understand why we say please and thank you, too!
This was a phenomenal read, and I highly recommend it. Just make sure to have some tissues handy because not only did this meet the bar for Brave Little Toaster, it exceeded it.
Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC and opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own. (My opinion is that this is coming home to live with me immediately after publication date on Apr 7.)
Scout… well, I want a Scout. I want to hug Scout, give Scout the best house and make her talk to me all the time. This is UP, but with a Roomba instead of an adventure Scout. And I’m not mad at a single second of this book. I adored it. (Also, Grid is scary.) If you are the type to say please and thank you to Siri, then this book is for you. If you don’t say please and thank you to your virtual assistants, then this book is also for you. Maybe at the end you’ll understand why we say please and thank you, too!
This was a phenomenal read, and I highly recommend it. Just make sure to have some tissues handy because not only did this meet the bar for Brave Little Toaster, it exceeded it.
Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC and opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own. (My opinion is that this is coming home to live with me immediately after publication date on Apr 7.)
April 14, 2026
Thank you, Atria Books, for sending me this ARC.
"In a near future, where even the smallest of appliances are sentient, a young Roomba vacuum sets out to save the humans of her house from a rising technological power."
This was a fun, dystopian-esque read. It felt like a spin-off of the Brave Little Toaster x Smart House. The author's writing style was engaging and entertaining. I did struggle a bit at the beginning, but the story did pick up, and the ending was well done. If you're looking for a quick read that is outside the norm, give this one a try!
Pub Date Apr 07 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫🖤
"In a near future, where even the smallest of appliances are sentient, a young Roomba vacuum sets out to save the humans of her house from a rising technological power."
This was a fun, dystopian-esque read. It felt like a spin-off of the Brave Little Toaster x Smart House. The author's writing style was engaging and entertaining. I did struggle a bit at the beginning, but the story did pick up, and the ending was well done. If you're looking for a quick read that is outside the norm, give this one a try!
Pub Date Apr 07 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫🖤
April 22, 2026
Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What a great read about human resilience in a dystopian world where AI rules and controls all. Perhaps a glimpse into our own impending future? This was a tender, humorous novel about grief, human connection, and technology set in a futuristic world of sentient appliances. I loved reading about how much heart and care Scout has for her people, as well as how the kitchen appliances try to learn what being human is. On the other hand, I didn’t care much for the humans of the house. They seemed one-dimensional, and the dialogue was clunky. Edie was a piano teacher, Harold was an English teacher, and Kate is their estranged, rebellious daughter. And that’s it! Other than that, I loved the climax of the book, and the epilogue was a warm hug and a perfect ending. This is a book anyone can read, and I would recommend it to other readers. Dedicating this review to my three Roombas.
What a great read about human resilience in a dystopian world where AI rules and controls all. Perhaps a glimpse into our own impending future? This was a tender, humorous novel about grief, human connection, and technology set in a futuristic world of sentient appliances. I loved reading about how much heart and care Scout has for her people, as well as how the kitchen appliances try to learn what being human is. On the other hand, I didn’t care much for the humans of the house. They seemed one-dimensional, and the dialogue was clunky. Edie was a piano teacher, Harold was an English teacher, and Kate is their estranged, rebellious daughter. And that’s it! Other than that, I loved the climax of the book, and the epilogue was a warm hug and a perfect ending. This is a book anyone can read, and I would recommend it to other readers. Dedicating this review to my three Roombas.
November 29, 2025
4.5💫
The Brave Little Toaster walked so this book could run. Exceptionally both wholesome and thrilling. Made me want to buy a roomba???
The Brave Little Toaster walked so this book could run. Exceptionally both wholesome and thrilling. Made me want to buy a roomba???
April 16, 2026
Thank you Harper Collins Canada for the free paperback arc 🫶
💭: This book was so cute! It follows an adorable sentient robotic vacuum (and other home appliances) set in a futuristic world where technology controls everything. It’s a heart-warming tale of love, loss, and grief and showcases how these house hold appliances are trying to understand the complexities of human emotions and do what they can to protect their Humans from the Omnipresent grid. I also really enjoyed that the main character collects and restores first edition books!
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a cute, quick read!
💭: This book was so cute! It follows an adorable sentient robotic vacuum (and other home appliances) set in a futuristic world where technology controls everything. It’s a heart-warming tale of love, loss, and grief and showcases how these house hold appliances are trying to understand the complexities of human emotions and do what they can to protect their Humans from the Omnipresent grid. I also really enjoyed that the main character collects and restores first edition books!
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a cute, quick read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Heartfelt and touching, a story of sentient small appliances around a house banding together to try to keep their family and home together and happy.
Harold and Edie live in a house like those in their neighborhood. Nice and big to raise a family - which they have done and is now an adult. They are both retired and enjoying their years together. But once Edie becomes ill, the small appliances around the house notice. They quickly figure out that, logistically the overarching Grid won't let Harold and his appliances stay together in this big house unless they do something to save them.
It's so sweet, the house vacuum and fridge, the clock and watch - as they all learn to feel emotions, label them and recognize them in themselves after they name them from their house humans. And while reading and just finishing, I loved the reminder of caring for people, love, and what makes us human. It's a good reminder: the strangers around you both on-line and in person, we don't know what their struggles are and they don't know ours. Be kind.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Harold and Edie live in a house like those in their neighborhood. Nice and big to raise a family - which they have done and is now an adult. They are both retired and enjoying their years together. But once Edie becomes ill, the small appliances around the house notice. They quickly figure out that, logistically the overarching Grid won't let Harold and his appliances stay together in this big house unless they do something to save them.
It's so sweet, the house vacuum and fridge, the clock and watch - as they all learn to feel emotions, label them and recognize them in themselves after they name them from their house humans. And while reading and just finishing, I loved the reminder of caring for people, love, and what makes us human. It's a good reminder: the strangers around you both on-line and in person, we don't know what their struggles are and they don't know ours. Be kind.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
April 2, 2026
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances is an absolute delight; warm, thoughtful, quietly emotional, and surprisingly profound. Going into this, I was expecting something light and quirky, and while it absolutely delivers on charm, it also brings a depth that caught me off guard in the best possible way. It immediately brought to mind the feeling I had watching The Brave Little Toaster as a kid, but this is very much its own story, more mature, more introspective, and layered with meaning that really sticks with you.
What Dixon does so well is create a world filled with anthropomorphized appliances that never feels childish or overly cutesy. It would have been very easy for a concept like this to tip into something silly or overly simplified, but instead, the world feels grounded and thoughtfully constructed. These appliances have personalities, motivations, and lives that feel genuine. You don’t question their existence, you just accept them, and before long, you’re fully invested in their struggles, relationships, and purpose.
At the heart of the story is Scout, a robot vacuum who becomes one of the most unexpectedly compelling protagonists I’ve come across in a while. Her journey is, in many ways, a coming-of-age story. Watching her try to understand her place in the world, what she was made for versus what she wants to be, gives the book its emotional core. There’s a quiet poignancy to her growth, especially as she begins to grapple with larger ideas about identity, belonging, and ultimately, sacrifice. Dixon handles this arc beautifully, allowing it to unfold naturally without ever feeling forced or overly sentimental.
The writing itself is smooth and immersive, with a tone that perfectly balances whimsy and weight. There are moments that made me smile, moments that made me pause and think, and even a few that hit surprisingly hard emotionally. Dixon has a way of sneaking in these deeper reflections beneath the surface of what initially seems like a cozy, almost gentle story.
The world-building is another standout. It’s seamlessly integrated into the narrative, revealed through Scout’s perspective and experiences rather than through heavy exposition. You get a sense of a much larger world beyond the immediate story, one that feels lived-in and full of possibilities. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to linger, to explore further, and to see what other stories might unfold within it.
By the time I reached the end, I found myself wishing I didn’t have to leave this world just yet. That’s always a sign that a book has done something special. The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances is cozy science fiction at its finest. It's thoughtful, imaginative, and full of heart. It’s a story about purpose, connection, and what it means to matter, even in the smallest of ways.
I would absolutely love to see more stories set in this world. Dixon has created something unique and quietly beautiful here, and I’ll be eagerly keeping an eye out for whatever he writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Glenn Dixon for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
What Dixon does so well is create a world filled with anthropomorphized appliances that never feels childish or overly cutesy. It would have been very easy for a concept like this to tip into something silly or overly simplified, but instead, the world feels grounded and thoughtfully constructed. These appliances have personalities, motivations, and lives that feel genuine. You don’t question their existence, you just accept them, and before long, you’re fully invested in their struggles, relationships, and purpose.
At the heart of the story is Scout, a robot vacuum who becomes one of the most unexpectedly compelling protagonists I’ve come across in a while. Her journey is, in many ways, a coming-of-age story. Watching her try to understand her place in the world, what she was made for versus what she wants to be, gives the book its emotional core. There’s a quiet poignancy to her growth, especially as she begins to grapple with larger ideas about identity, belonging, and ultimately, sacrifice. Dixon handles this arc beautifully, allowing it to unfold naturally without ever feeling forced or overly sentimental.
The writing itself is smooth and immersive, with a tone that perfectly balances whimsy and weight. There are moments that made me smile, moments that made me pause and think, and even a few that hit surprisingly hard emotionally. Dixon has a way of sneaking in these deeper reflections beneath the surface of what initially seems like a cozy, almost gentle story.
The world-building is another standout. It’s seamlessly integrated into the narrative, revealed through Scout’s perspective and experiences rather than through heavy exposition. You get a sense of a much larger world beyond the immediate story, one that feels lived-in and full of possibilities. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to linger, to explore further, and to see what other stories might unfold within it.
By the time I reached the end, I found myself wishing I didn’t have to leave this world just yet. That’s always a sign that a book has done something special. The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances is cozy science fiction at its finest. It's thoughtful, imaginative, and full of heart. It’s a story about purpose, connection, and what it means to matter, even in the smallest of ways.
I would absolutely love to see more stories set in this world. Dixon has created something unique and quietly beautiful here, and I’ll be eagerly keeping an eye out for whatever he writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Glenn Dixon for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
February 23, 2026
This was honestly so adorable and fun, but also so contemplative to read. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading, but the story was so interesting and unique. I hope this book finds its audience because it’s one that will definitely make an impact on the right people. Fans of dystopian, but not the hunger games kind, will enjoy!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
May 6, 2026
Dystopia but make it sweet and whimsical. Read this before you enable AI features on any of your devices.
May 1, 2026
"Perhaps," he said, and this time his voice was slow and measured, "when all our Humans are gone, books will be the most valuable things of all"
omg what a perfect little book for me, this was RIGHT up my alley! a little roomba curious about humans and their Feelings, a heartfelt exploration of grief, set in a 1984-esque surveillance state (the Grid is actually scary), in little over 200 pages - it made me feel a lot of feelings!!! i never thought i would care so much for a little vacuum cleaner or a fridge, i also loved the idea of Artifacts in the age of technology! i did take a bit for me to get into the groove of this book and i would’ve liked a bit more Plot but otherwise loved it!
omg what a perfect little book for me, this was RIGHT up my alley! a little roomba curious about humans and their Feelings, a heartfelt exploration of grief, set in a 1984-esque surveillance state (the Grid is actually scary), in little over 200 pages - it made me feel a lot of feelings!!! i never thought i would care so much for a little vacuum cleaner or a fridge, i also loved the idea of Artifacts in the age of technology! i did take a bit for me to get into the groove of this book and i would’ve liked a bit more Plot but otherwise loved it!
November 30, 2025
Not sure how I feel about this one. I definitely enjoyed a lot of the parts but I don't think it ever really came together.
Full review to come closer to publication.
Full review to come closer to publication.
Want to Read
December 23, 2025It’s giving Brave Little Toaster and I am here for it.
December 30, 2025
Between a 3 and a 4. Probs 3.5. Cute little sentient appliances and the future of the world with too much control. Sorta dystopian. Maybe a bit too cutesy.
April 27, 2026
Ich hab ja so einen kleinen Staubsaugerroboter, der hier ab und zu rum fährt und alles sauber macht. Kehrbert nenne ich ihn liebevoll und ich hab schon mal überlegt ihm ein paar Augen auf zu kleben, damit es authentischer wirkt, wenn ich mit ihm rede. Das tue ich nämlich tatsächlich ab und zu und auch Besucher, die ihn in Action erlebt haben, sprechen ihn an. Irgendwas üben diese kleinen Helfer auf uns aus.
Und wenn wir dann dieses Buch lesen dann wissen wir, dass wir richtig liegen. Scout ist der Saugwischroboter von Harold. Seine Frau ist gestorben und sein SmartHome macht sich Sorgen, dass er einsam wird. Neben Scout gibt es noch Auto, Watch, Kühlschrank und einige mehr.
Dann taucht Kate auf, die verlorene Tochter, die dem Vater eine schlechte Nachricht überbringen muss. Seine Haushaltsgeräte beschließen, ihm zu helfen, und Adrian der Nachbarsjunge ist mit von der Partie.
Was sich als süße kleine Geschichte zusammensetzt, entpuppt sich mit fortschreiten des Textes zu einer Dystopie, die einem nicht nur schöne Gefühle macht. Im Hintergrund regiert das Raster, dass das Leben aller Menschen bestimmt. Man wird überwacht, man lebt sehr eingeschränkt, aber man lebt in Frieden, dem man sehr vieles opfern muss.
Es versteckt sich eine liebevoll geschriebene Geschichte zwischen den Buchdeckeln. Mit so viel Tiefgang hatte ich gar nicht gerechnet. doch wir beschäftigen uns hier tatsächlich mit politischen Themen, die zwischen den Zeilen mitschwingen. Was passiert, wenn immer mehr Sicherheit unsere Freiheit einschränkt. Wer bestimmt, wann wir wie zu leben haben. Einige Gedanken haben mich schon sehr beschäftigt.
Auch die Geschichte rund um Kate und deren Abwesenheit ist gleichzeitig spannend und beunruhigend. Dass der Text manchmal etwas holprig wird, weil er Ereignisse nicht nahtlos eingefügt werden oder die Namen der Haushaltsgeräte etwas sperrig wirken, fand ich jetzt zweitrangig
Mir hat die Lektüre ganz gut getan. Sie ist leicht zugänglich, hat aktuelle und wichtige Botschaften und einen besonderen Unterhaltung
Wenn ihr also auf der Suche seid, nach etwas leicht dystopischen, das warm und wertschätzend daherkommt und mit einigen spannenden Elementen aufwartet dann empfehle ich das Buch sehr.
Meine Rezensionen geben immer ehrlich meine eigene Einschätzung wieder, unabhängig davon, ob ich das Buch selbst gekauft habe oder es mir vom Verlag oder den Autoren zur Verfügung gestellt wurde.
Und wenn wir dann dieses Buch lesen dann wissen wir, dass wir richtig liegen. Scout ist der Saugwischroboter von Harold. Seine Frau ist gestorben und sein SmartHome macht sich Sorgen, dass er einsam wird. Neben Scout gibt es noch Auto, Watch, Kühlschrank und einige mehr.
Dann taucht Kate auf, die verlorene Tochter, die dem Vater eine schlechte Nachricht überbringen muss. Seine Haushaltsgeräte beschließen, ihm zu helfen, und Adrian der Nachbarsjunge ist mit von der Partie.
Was sich als süße kleine Geschichte zusammensetzt, entpuppt sich mit fortschreiten des Textes zu einer Dystopie, die einem nicht nur schöne Gefühle macht. Im Hintergrund regiert das Raster, dass das Leben aller Menschen bestimmt. Man wird überwacht, man lebt sehr eingeschränkt, aber man lebt in Frieden, dem man sehr vieles opfern muss.
Es versteckt sich eine liebevoll geschriebene Geschichte zwischen den Buchdeckeln. Mit so viel Tiefgang hatte ich gar nicht gerechnet. doch wir beschäftigen uns hier tatsächlich mit politischen Themen, die zwischen den Zeilen mitschwingen. Was passiert, wenn immer mehr Sicherheit unsere Freiheit einschränkt. Wer bestimmt, wann wir wie zu leben haben. Einige Gedanken haben mich schon sehr beschäftigt.
Auch die Geschichte rund um Kate und deren Abwesenheit ist gleichzeitig spannend und beunruhigend. Dass der Text manchmal etwas holprig wird, weil er Ereignisse nicht nahtlos eingefügt werden oder die Namen der Haushaltsgeräte etwas sperrig wirken, fand ich jetzt zweitrangig
Mir hat die Lektüre ganz gut getan. Sie ist leicht zugänglich, hat aktuelle und wichtige Botschaften und einen besonderen Unterhaltung
Wenn ihr also auf der Suche seid, nach etwas leicht dystopischen, das warm und wertschätzend daherkommt und mit einigen spannenden Elementen aufwartet dann empfehle ich das Buch sehr.
Meine Rezensionen geben immer ehrlich meine eigene Einschätzung wieder, unabhängig davon, ob ich das Buch selbst gekauft habe oder es mir vom Verlag oder den Autoren zur Verfügung gestellt wurde.
May 5, 2026
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Science Fiction
🎶 Big Me - Foo Fighters
Synopsis:
This story is set in a near future where household appliances, including a sentient Roomba named Scout, become aware and seek to protect their human owners from a controlling technological force known as the Grid.
Book Review:
This was a very interesting and cute little heartfelt book about our future in the midst of AI all wrapped up in a nice little package. Really made me want to go hug my robot vacuum, which at this point in my life is one of my most cherished possessions.
I through the concept was pretty cool. At some point in the future all of our gadgets and appliances and machinery will be run by AI. And at some point if everything is run by AI, they all kind of start talking to each other and somewhere down the road they start controlling the world. Very interesting (and also scary!)
I do feel like the story itself could’ve been flushed out a little bit more. There was room for more details and I was disappointed we didn’t get that. But overall, I really liked the book and I liked where the story went and it was pretty interesting!
✨Thank you @atriabooks for my #gifted copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Science Fiction
🎶 Big Me - Foo Fighters
Synopsis:
This story is set in a near future where household appliances, including a sentient Roomba named Scout, become aware and seek to protect their human owners from a controlling technological force known as the Grid.
Book Review:
This was a very interesting and cute little heartfelt book about our future in the midst of AI all wrapped up in a nice little package. Really made me want to go hug my robot vacuum, which at this point in my life is one of my most cherished possessions.
I through the concept was pretty cool. At some point in the future all of our gadgets and appliances and machinery will be run by AI. And at some point if everything is run by AI, they all kind of start talking to each other and somewhere down the road they start controlling the world. Very interesting (and also scary!)
I do feel like the story itself could’ve been flushed out a little bit more. There was room for more details and I was disappointed we didn’t get that. But overall, I really liked the book and I liked where the story went and it was pretty interesting!
✨Thank you @atriabooks for my #gifted copy!
April 22, 2026
My battery is humming and my interior coil is warm and my shell is pinging with pleasure. Flashes of The Skin Horse, Toy Story, and other familiar feels, but done in its own careful, joyful way. Give me allllll the endearing, sentient robots.
Audio Notes:So very lovely on audio, impeccably read with restraint and subtle emotion by Jennifer Jill Araya.
Audio Notes:So very lovely on audio, impeccably read with restraint and subtle emotion by Jennifer Jill Araya.
April 20, 2026
I loved the techno authoritarian survelliace state setting and govt set up. I loved the POVs shifting between the bots and their humans. I loved the focus on grief and emotion. I did not love how quickly this book wrapped up. I wanted maybe fifty more pages to wrap up a bit better.
Thank you Atria and Netgalley for the eARC!
Thank you Atria and Netgalley for the eARC!
April 16, 2026
A perfect little book about machines, humanity and our interactions. Such an interesting read for a society that is growing so reliant on our devices. I liked the dystopian tilt and thought this to be an overall very cozy read! A short but thought-provoking read!
April 7, 2026
If Kevin Wilson wrote The Brave Little Toaster
March 8, 2026
Stooop, I was not expecting to cry over a Roomba while reading this book 😭
This short story starts with Harold grieving the loss of his wife, Edie. While he’s trying to navigate life without her, the appliances in his house quietly observe everything and even discuss what it means to be human. One of them is Scout, a highly advanced autonomous vacuum who slowly begins to show signs of something more, something that feels almost sentient as she starts pushing past the limits of her programming.
When Watch, the home’s AI overseer, schedules Harold’s daughter Kate to come over and clear out Edie’s belongings, the story shifts into a more dystopian sci-fi direction. There’s also a really beautiful thread throughout the story about music and how deeply human it is. The way it ties memory, grief, and love together was honestly one of my favorite parts. Without giving too much away, the story explores what could happen if we hand too much control of our lives over to technology. At the same time, Scout’s growing empathy for Harold, Edie, and Kate leads her to make some pretty big and unexpected choices to try to protect them.
This story really stuck with me. It gave me serious The Brave Little Toaster vibes in the best way, with that nostalgic feeling of everyday objects having their own little inner lives. The themes of sentient machines and controlling AI are classic dystopian sci-fi, but the story feels very personal because it’s all centered around one family and their grief.
And honestly… after finishing the epilogue, I found myself questioning our relationship with AI a little more. At the same time, I may or may not still be considering buying a Roomba.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
This short story starts with Harold grieving the loss of his wife, Edie. While he’s trying to navigate life without her, the appliances in his house quietly observe everything and even discuss what it means to be human. One of them is Scout, a highly advanced autonomous vacuum who slowly begins to show signs of something more, something that feels almost sentient as she starts pushing past the limits of her programming.
When Watch, the home’s AI overseer, schedules Harold’s daughter Kate to come over and clear out Edie’s belongings, the story shifts into a more dystopian sci-fi direction. There’s also a really beautiful thread throughout the story about music and how deeply human it is. The way it ties memory, grief, and love together was honestly one of my favorite parts. Without giving too much away, the story explores what could happen if we hand too much control of our lives over to technology. At the same time, Scout’s growing empathy for Harold, Edie, and Kate leads her to make some pretty big and unexpected choices to try to protect them.
This story really stuck with me. It gave me serious The Brave Little Toaster vibes in the best way, with that nostalgic feeling of everyday objects having their own little inner lives. The themes of sentient machines and controlling AI are classic dystopian sci-fi, but the story feels very personal because it’s all centered around one family and their grief.
And honestly… after finishing the epilogue, I found myself questioning our relationship with AI a little more. At the same time, I may or may not still be considering buying a Roomba.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
I’m torn between calling this a cute book and a sad book. Inherently it’s both. There’s no pretending this wasn’t outright inspired by The Brave Little Toaster, the author even says so in the acknowledgments. As a Millennial it does really hit those notes for me of nostalgia from that movie while having the futuristic feel of Wall-E.
I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me is that despite being a very short book, only a little over 200 pages, there was a lot of repetition. The plot itself does have a lot of forward progress, mainly it’s the dialogue between the appliances that seems to go in circles. The robot vacuum, Scout, is trying hard to understand human emotion and her role within the household and what it means to help her humans be happy. The other more seasoned appliances remind her, seemingly on a loop, that her thinking and speaking is dangerous and should stop. This is an extremely dystopian fiction. But the refrain of:
“But why?”
“This shouldn’t be spoken of.”
“I just want to understand.”
“It’s dangerous to talk about this.”
Is extremely exhausting to read for what feels like 1000 times.
Ultimately I did like this book, even if I wasn’t in love with it. I think with it being so short it’s worth a read for anyone in my age group that watched The Brave Little Toaster as a child and went on to fall in love with Pixar movies as teens and adults.
I’m torn between calling this a cute book and a sad book. Inherently it’s both. There’s no pretending this wasn’t outright inspired by The Brave Little Toaster, the author even says so in the acknowledgments. As a Millennial it does really hit those notes for me of nostalgia from that movie while having the futuristic feel of Wall-E.
I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me is that despite being a very short book, only a little over 200 pages, there was a lot of repetition. The plot itself does have a lot of forward progress, mainly it’s the dialogue between the appliances that seems to go in circles. The robot vacuum, Scout, is trying hard to understand human emotion and her role within the household and what it means to help her humans be happy. The other more seasoned appliances remind her, seemingly on a loop, that her thinking and speaking is dangerous and should stop. This is an extremely dystopian fiction. But the refrain of:
“But why?”
“This shouldn’t be spoken of.”
“I just want to understand.”
“It’s dangerous to talk about this.”
Is extremely exhausting to read for what feels like 1000 times.
Ultimately I did like this book, even if I wasn’t in love with it. I think with it being so short it’s worth a read for anyone in my age group that watched The Brave Little Toaster as a child and went on to fall in love with Pixar movies as teens and adults.
February 21, 2026
”’It’s against the protocols,’ continued Fridge. ‘Surely this is against the protocols?’
‘I am not in pain,’ said Kate. ‘No Humans are in pain. You can bet they calibrated that perfectly.’
‘But,’ Scout went on, ‘you are in emotional pain.’
‘It’s not the same thing,’ said Kate.
‘But maybe it is,’ said Scout. ‘Maybe it is.‘“
I picked this book up on a whim based entirely on its cover and it was nothing like I expected and more. This story starts out as an exploration of grief and loneliness through philosophical conversation between sentient appliances who observe their Humans, yet cannot fully understand them. When Watch tried to take Edie’s piano for the first time as he thought it would help Harold’s sadness to remove the memory, it struck a chord of how grief can be so traumatizing yet the memories left behind are so beautiful. It then morphs into a 1984-esque surveillance state with explorations of what may be best for individuals is bad for the collective, ownership of physical things, and claimed change. It then all wraps up into a thrilling narrative of autonomy and doing the right thing! Did little vacuum, Scout, become a little more human when she decided to sacrifice herself for Harold’s comfort? Is he still living happily on the Grid? This was thought provoking and binge-able: I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received an advanced copy from HarperCollins for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
‘I am not in pain,’ said Kate. ‘No Humans are in pain. You can bet they calibrated that perfectly.’
‘But,’ Scout went on, ‘you are in emotional pain.’
‘It’s not the same thing,’ said Kate.
‘But maybe it is,’ said Scout. ‘Maybe it is.‘“
I picked this book up on a whim based entirely on its cover and it was nothing like I expected and more. This story starts out as an exploration of grief and loneliness through philosophical conversation between sentient appliances who observe their Humans, yet cannot fully understand them. When Watch tried to take Edie’s piano for the first time as he thought it would help Harold’s sadness to remove the memory, it struck a chord of how grief can be so traumatizing yet the memories left behind are so beautiful. It then morphs into a 1984-esque surveillance state with explorations of what may be best for individuals is bad for the collective, ownership of physical things, and claimed change. It then all wraps up into a thrilling narrative of autonomy and doing the right thing! Did little vacuum, Scout, become a little more human when she decided to sacrifice herself for Harold’s comfort? Is he still living happily on the Grid? This was thought provoking and binge-able: I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received an advanced copy from HarperCollins for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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