Erased - Miha Mazzini

She Doesn't Exist.

Neither Does Her Baby.

Now What?

When a “software error” erases Zala from the system, she discovers that officially, she and her newborn don’t exist.

As Zala fights desperately to prove her existence, and save her child from adoption, she uncovers the Kafkaesque reality of Slovenia’s system — one that erased 25,671 citizens on February 26, 1992.

A chilling thriller about bureaucracy as violence, and one mother’s battle against the state. 

What did I think?

Oh my word, Erased by Miha Mazzini is an emotional and heartrending book that is astonishingly based on real events.  It just blew my mind that this could happen but also reminded me how easy it is to press the delete button on a keyboard.  I thought identity theft was scary but deletion of identity is even worse!  This isn't an imaginative dystopian novel; this deletion actually happened in Slovenia in 1992. Wow!

Zala is about to give birth to her first child so she attends her local hospital, only to be told that she doesn't exist on the computer system.  She is accused of being an illegal immigrant and presented with a bill for her hospital stay, oh and the hospital is keeping her baby.  I can only imagine what Zala felt like and I had feelings of shock, outrage and devastation as I followed every step of her journey as she fights for her baby and her identity.

It's an incredibly emotional read as I really felt for Zala as she is on her own.  She is a very strong character though and there's nothing more powerful than a mother fighting for her child.  Miha Mazzini's evocative writing brings Zala to life so the reader can't help but take her to their heart.  I actually forgot that it was a translated novel when I was reading it so I have to give a shout out to the impeccable translation by Gregor Timothy Čeh.

Shocking, disturbing and harrowing, Erased is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that really makes you think about your own electronic identity and how easily it could be erased.  I would highly recommend this outstanding book to readers of all genres.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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UK.Bookshop.org

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BLOG TOUR: The Age of the Artificial Person - Alastair Waterman

Could this be the last book written solely by a human? The Age of the Artificial Person by Alastair Waterman redefines the boundary between the natural and artificial, offering a fresh perspective on human evolution and AI. Far from suggesting AI will replace us or that humans are outdated, this book celebrates humanity as a technology that has shaped itself through culture for millennia. AI is our next step— not a replacement, but a partner in crafting our destiny beyond biological limits.

Explore five eras of cultural evolution, ponder if machines can feel, and discover 'Dark Science'—AI’s potential to transcend human bias. From digital immortality to rethinking consciousness, this thought-provoking read invites tech enthusiasts, philosophers, and futurists to embrace our role as architects of the future. Grab your copy to join the conversation!

 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed learning more about AI in Alistair Waterman's The Age of the Artificial Person.  I was quite suspicious of it beforehand but I feel more comfortable now, after considering how much it can improve our lives.

There is a lot of information in the book and I have to say that the large font size made it much easier to read; not just because it's easier on the eyes but because it slows the pace and allows the information to seep into your brain.

I have only really heard of AI being misused, such as writing a 'review' of a book that really just regurgitates the synopsis as the AI hasn't read it, so it was good to see the wider picture.  I was actually quite surprised how much AI had crept into my life without really standing back to consider it: predictive text for example.

To move forward as a species, we do need to embrace AI as it could make our lives easier.  I don't think it will ever fully replace a person but rather than being negative towards AI it is worth thinking about what you could be doing while AI is doing any mundane tasks.

The Age of the Artificial Person is an informative and thought-provoking book to debate and discuss.  I'm glad that I have read The Age of the Artificial Person as it has made me so much more receptive to AI.  It's coming whether we like it or not anyway!  

I received a gifted ARC from Literally PR to read and review for the blog tour and this is my (not AI) honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Love & Other Human Errors - Bethany Clift

An unforgettable story about love in all its chaotic glory from the author of Last One At The Party

A book synopsis is fundamentally ridiculous. How can I possibly convey, in only 100 words, the events of the past year and their impact on my perfectly ordered existence?

It is insufficient space to accurately detail how I was blackmailed into demonstrating my flawless algorithm to find a soulmate, despite having no desire for one.

In my former life I avoided trivial human connections. I was alone, accomplished and brilliant.

Unfortunately, that solitary and driven woman no longer exists.

My name is Indiana Dylan and this is the extraordinary account of how I fell in love.

There: 100 words exactly.

 

What did I think?

Having absolutely loved Bethany Clift's debut, Last One at the Party, I was very excited to read what she would write next, although I had no idea how she would manage to follow such an outstanding book.  She didn't just follow it, she SMASHED it as Love & Other Human Errors completely blew me away.  I apologise in advance for my long review but to say 'I loved this book' is an understatement.

Set in the near future, Indiana Dylan has created an algorithm that cuts out the chaos and confusion of searching for your soulmate.  Unfortunately for Indiana, if she wants to sell her algorithm she has to demonstrate it but Indiana is not looking for love...or any kind of human interaction at all.  

For fans of The Big Bang Theory, think of Sheldon Cooper with fewer interpersonal skills and you might be close to imagining Indiana Dylan.  Indiana is a truly unique character; I love how literal, awkward and naive she is.  I loved all of the characters though, even those I loved to hate (like Cameron and Emily), but I have to give a particular mention to a few of the other characters.  Indiana's assistant Peggy (we all need a Peggy in our lives), workaholic Lina (who's work/life balance is totally skewed), everyone's favourite colleague Jack (who brightens everyone's day but nobody ever asks how he is) and not forgetting Frank (with his sharp observations and wise words) and his stinky dog Alan.

As for love and the search for a soulmate, it would be wonderful if our perfect match could be found for us as it gets tedious kissing so many frogs and it took me such a long time to find my prince.  I've actually had a conversation about this recently, as it's surely not in the best interests of a dating company to present you with your perfect match immediately as you'll cancel your subscription and ride off into the sunset.  They certainly wouldn't make much money if your perfect match was revealed during a free trial.

I could talk about this book for hours as it's not only an amazing story, there is so much to take away from it.  I've been like Lina in the past and I hope that anyone who reads this book and recognises themselves in Lina will take steps to address their work/life balance.  Life is too short and it's so important to make the most of what little time we have on this earth.  It's also a reminder to look behind the smiles of our friends, relatives and colleagues; they may be smiling to make us feel better but look into their eyes to see how they really feel.  

This is a book (and an author) that I shall continue to recommend for a long time to come; Bethany Clift isn't just one to watch, she's one to read so make sure that you do!  So very highly recommended, Love & Other Human Errors is a very strong contender for my book of the year.  Just buy it, you won't regret it!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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