Tech news for readers: August 20, 2025

Here are some intriguing posts that combine literature and technology.

• Novelist Rie Qudan explains why she used ChatGPT to help her write the novel Sympathy Tower Tokyo, which won a prestigious literary prize in Japan — and stirred up intense controversy (The Guardian).

• Hank Green, co-vlogger/brother of author John Green and an author in his own right, has launched a gamified timer app called Focus Friend (Your Focus Friend). 

• Arvyn Cerezo analyzes what the discontinuation of the Kindle Oasis means ... and mourns it (Book Riot; subscription required).