November was Sci-Fi month and although I read a lot of Sci-Fi books I didn’t get a chance to participate in any of the blog-related activities because I was too busy writing blog posts for Nonfiction November – maybe next year I can prepare in advance and take part in both. Still, to honour Sci-Fi month (belatedly), I present to you today 10 of my top recommendations for Sci-Fi series and standalones.
What you will find: Lots of books set in space; found family; fantasy-sci-fi hybrids; literary sci-fi
What you won’t find: dystopian novels (especially ones where it’s like government corruption), zombies etc. etc.
No Hunger Games style books here – I liked it as a teenager but I need a bit more hope in my sci-fi (or alternatively, a bit more space) nowadays. Maybe I just consumed too much as a teenager… or maybe the world feels too dystopian already.
If that sounds somewhat interesting to you – keep reading! There are recommendations for the newbie, the well-versed and even the sci-fi hater (or okay, maybe the sci-fi disliker).
This post was published for the “freebie” week of Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme originally created by The Broke and the Bookish and currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
Please note: Clicking on titles will take you to Bookshop.org UK if the book is available there (these are affiliate links so if you buy something using my link I earn a small commission – it does not affect the price you pay). If you can’t order using Bookshop.org UK please consider ordering from the equivalent in your country or from an independent bookshop – support bookshops!
In no particular order, let’s take a look at ten of my favourite sci-fi books or series!
The Final Architecture trilogy by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Architects appear out of nowhere, reshape (read: destroy) planets according to some alien ideal of beauty and leave death in their wake. Eighty years they came for earth, and those who escaped created enhanced humans such as Idris who could communicate mind-to-mind with the Architect.
Then they simply disappeared and Idris and his kind became obsolete. But now, Idris and his crew find something strange – something Architect – abandoned in space. Are they returning?
Why do I recommend? If you like space opera + space politics this is a great book to read – it has all the good found family dynamics that any good crew story has along with some really interesting debates about ideology, war and morality, especially as you get further into the story. It’s a completed trilogy and if you like it the author has plenty of other series for you to check out – something I will be doing myself in 2026.
Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie
The Radch conquer planets with an army of its own dead prisoners, animated by a warship’s AI mind.
The Justice of Toren has been destroyed – but one ship-possessed soldier survives.
Used to controlling thousands of hands, thousands of mouths, The Justice now has only two hands, and one mouth with which to tell her tale. But one fragile, human body might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.
Why do I recommend? This completed trilogy is also great if you like stories set in space and dealing with complex politics and ideas like colonialism on an inter-planetary system scale. It’s also really interesting if you’re interested in concepts like AI and what it means to be ‘human’, and if you are interested in sci-fi that explores language and gender etc.
Also, this was the read-a-long book for Sci-Fi month this year and Annemieke @A Dance With Books has said she’ll be running a read-a-long for books 2 and 3 in 2026 – so this is the perfect time to join in. I’ll probably join in when she gets around to book 3! There are also some good standalones set in the same world that I’m very excited to read.
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.
Murderbot, a self-aware Company-supplied ‘droid that has hacked its own governor module, just wants its scientists to leave it alone long enough for it to figure out who it is (and watch TV in peace).
Why do I recommend? I’ve only read the first book of this series so far but the books are quick, fun reads and the audiobooks are good too. Like Ancillary Justice, this would appeal if you’re interested in questions of ‘humanity’ and things like what happens if robots or AI were to gain sentience and consciousness. Also, Murderbot likes crappy TV shows. What’s not to love?
Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers
It”s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.
One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honour the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered.
Why do I recommend? If you’re not into the whole space thing – this might be a good one for you. Even if you are, if you’re feeling a little hopeless at the state of the world, or otherwise want a reminder that the future can be a brighter place – I highly recommend this duology. It may just rewire your brain. (Also: again this question of what happens if robots gain self-awareness).
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
When exploring on Earth, we practice “leave no trace” – why should exploring space be any different? Through the invention of somaforming and a space programme funded entirely by the collective, humanity is finally able to send people to exoplanets to search for life.
Ariadne and her crewmates are one such mission, but as they shift through both form and time they lose contact with Earth and are faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left.
Why do I recommend? This is one of my favourite books of the year and deals really interestingly with ideas like what makes something moral or right. Also space travel. If you want a good, well-reasoned(ish) set of reasons to read this book, check out my review here.
The Martian by Andy Weir
I’m stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Earth. And I’m in a habitat designed to last 31 days.
If the oxygenator breaks down, I’ll suffocate. If the water reclaimer breaks down, I’ll die of thirst. If the hab breaches, I’ll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I’ll eventually run out of food and starve to death.
So yeah. I’m screwed.
Why do I recommend? This is basically a modern sci-fi classic at this point – if you haven’t read it, what are you doing? If you still like space but want something a little closer to our technological reality, this might be the book for you. If you like a character with a great sense of humour – also for you. Also – the film is actually pretty great.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
All Ryland Grace knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself in a space ship millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery-and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And being the only human around, he’s got to do it all by himself.
Or does he?
Why do I recommend? This is even better than The Martian. I don’t want to say too much because spoilers(!) but if you can deal with stories set in space in any capacity, just give it a go. Also, I can’t wait for the film next year.
The Breach Wars by Ilona Andrews
One day, a portal opens up and spills monsters into the world. In some humans, a Talent awakes.
Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she searches the breaches for resources to help repel Earth’s inter-dimensional enemy and secure a safer future for her children.
But this time everything goes wrong. Now she’s trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves with only a scared German Shepherd for company.
Why do I recommend? If you like sci-fi set very much in our world but not quite, then you might quite like this. Also if you like sci-fi where some of the science reads a little bit like magic (i.e. it’s really not explainable), then you might like this too. Also, if you like either sci-fi or urban fantasy with a more mature female lead (middle-aged with kids), then you might like this. There should be at least one sequel upcoming.
The Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews
Dina Demille is the owner of a Bed and Breakfast in small Texas Town with not quite enough customers.
Dina Demille is Innkeeper. Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat responsible for the deaths of millions.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night…
Why do I recommend? If you don’t want to have to wait to continue the series or you like a little more romance in your sci-fi that reads somewhat like fantasy book, then I highly recommend the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews. We’re still waiting on what is probably the final book, but there’s six more volumes for you to get through first! Also the romance is the perfect amount of slowburn, mutual growth and actual maturity. (Plus the sci-fi/magic world is really unique and interesting? Give it a go!)
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Among the ashes of a dying world, the agent finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.
Thus begins the unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions.
Except the discovery of their bond would mean death. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war. That’s how war works. Right?
Why do I recommend? If you’re more into literary fiction than sci-fi or prefer your sci-fi a little more emotional and a little less science-y, then I think you might really like this one!
What are your favourite sci-fi books? Leave me some recommendations in the comments!
Keira x
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