ABANDONED. book of short stories, title of first story was the title of the book and was about alien writing

[Scarfire]

I can't remember the name of this book/short story. One of my relatives had me read a riveting short story about ways of writing. It was the first in a larger book of short stories. This particular story that I found so memorable was a narrator commenting on how many ways there are to "write," and using examples from the future alien races and how they communicate in written languages. For example: one of the races was a species of mechanical beings who used water that flowed through rocks as their brains. The water would erode away rock where it flowed the most often (signalling mental activities and memories). When one of them would die, they removed the rock that acted a the brain and kept it in a museum. That way, when water flowed through the rocks again, the beings were reliving the memories of their dead companions. Isn't that an amazing idea? There was also a mention of writing through vibrations, though I can't remember the specifics. Does anyone know what this book is?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it or when was it published? Author female or male?

[Scarfire]

I read it early this year (2017)

[SBC]

The only story I can think of that is about writing and alien races is "Story of your Life" from Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (made into the movie Arrival which came out last year) but I'm not sure if it mentions more than one alien race or the two types of writing you describe.

[Andy]

I don't think it's "Stories of Your Life" but whatever it is, I want to read it.

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Scarfire (OP) was last active on the site in August 2019.