Exhalation presents what the future could be with advancements and innovations in technology. The nine stories compiled in this novel are wonderful. Some are lengthy, with The Lifecycle of Software Objects probably being the longest and What's Expected of Us being the shortest but, don't quote me on that as I listened to this via audiobook and that's the length they felt when listening. Regardless of the length, all have a message. Some of hope. Some of failure. Some of power.

If you enjoy science fiction, the future, or quick stories - this is hands down the novel for you. If you are like me and typically stray away from short stories in novel format, I still recommend Exhalation.

All the stories presented are truly things that could happen in the future and that alone is why I think this novel is worth an hour of your time. You will be provided with a short reading session followed by hours of reflection, introspection, and contemplation. These are sci-fi stories that truly embody reality, you can see these realities existing and really, the best part of the novel is that it activates your brain and you will think. You will think deeply because of this novel so yes, Exhalation is worth your time.

Because each story has a different plot, characters, and endings instead of dissecting each one individually, I straight up ranked the pieces based on personal emotion and enjoyment levels. This is different from typical reviews where I take you into consideration on what somebody who hasn't read the novel before would value but for Exhalation? I couldn't. Instead, I am providing little snippets of the emotions I felt when reading them that you too could potentially feel.

In short, if you are contemplation reading Exhalation, do. All stories have contemplative plots, intriguing characters, and unique endings. None will disappoint you and are 100% worth an hour.

The nine stories ranked, based on my emotions are as followed:

1. The Lifecycle of Software Objects: I really resonated with this piece and see the potential for technology and human compassion like this in the future. After the authors notes, I grew to love this piece even more.
2. The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate: The first story in the series and it made me feel glittery and gold.
3. Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom: A short story that demonstrated adaption to the future and one that will be reality. Unlike The Lifecycle of Software Objects in which I could see the potential, this is something already starting to happen and it will only continue to grow.
4. Omphalos: You create life. A purposeful short story that evoked a sense of accomplishment.
5. Dacey's Patent Automatic nanny: A story about how future inventions aren't always successful and the aftermath of such failure.
6. The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling: The premise of this is something Black Mirror would take and run with.
7. What's Expected of Us: Made me feel sad but also mirrored reality in some ways.
8. Exhalation: I didn't really vibe with this story, not a bad piece though and had a good message.
9. The Great Silence: Must have been silent when I listened to it because I remember nothing from this story.

Exhalation contains beautiful short stories with ones I enjoyed and ones I didn't. Chiang wrote introspective pieces that combined feelings I experience when contemplating the future, morality, and whenever I watch Black Mirror. The stories made me think about the future but instead of being improbable, they exemplified evolution of current day. For example, What's Expected of Us could easily happen; when things become too much, people will mentally shut down. That story in itself rang deep.

All the stories rang deep and is why I enjoyed them. You are genuinely able to see adaptations of human nature with innovation and technology. The concept of prisms? They already exist and expansion of them is inevitable. A Remem machine in which you can replay memories, um - that's gonna exist. Automatic nannies? Those will exist too.

I have too many thoughts surrounding Exhalation that if I don't stop writing about it, I'll never stop. The future and what science can hold is vast and unpredictable and Exhalation reminded me of that. A wonderful series of stories and one I am so stoked I read.