Celestial Lights, by Cecile Pin
A novel that asks big questions about what motivates our dangerous, expensive explorations in space, with a likeable, decent protagonist. An honest questioning, wrapped in a good story.
Read MoreAerth, by Deborah Tomkins
A story of two planets on opposite sides of a sun, each experiencing different climate challenges, and the astronaut who travels to each. We see their choices through his eyes. Excellent novella, great for book clubs.
Read MoreThe Dream Hotel, by Laila Lalami
Dystopian nightmare set in the near future, where corporate interests treat individuals as data for profit, and people surrender freedom for security. Well written, and so easy to see it all happening. One of the best of 2025.
Read MoreDeath of the Author, by Nnedi Okorafor
Fascinating science fiction novel exploring AI and augmented technology, and what their rapid adoption may mean for humanity, all wrapped around a strong female protagonist. Highly recommended.
Read MoreDissolution, by Nicholas Binge
A science fiction, suspenseful novel about time travel, the purpose and meaning of memories, with a female, eighty-something protagonist. Great summer adventure reading.
Read MoreWhen The Moon Hits Your Eye, by John Scalzi
The Dean Martin-inspired title is the hint. Much hilarity, and even a few touching moments, as Scalzi presents reactions to the moon turning to cheese. No, I don’t know what kind.
Read MoreOrbital, by Samantha Harvey
Twenty-four hours on the International Space Station, as 4 astronauts and 2 cosmonauts live, and think about life from 250 miles above Earth.
Read MoreIn Ascension, by Martin MacInnes
A speculative, science fiction novel that explores the big questions about the relationship humans have with other life on Earth, and our quest to understand the universe and ourselves. Fascinating intellectually, but not heart warming.
Read MoreThe Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley
A time travel romance, bringing a near-future woman together with a early Victorian Royal Naval officer. Add some spy adventure, and you have a good-enough, fun summer read.
Read MoreBig Time, by Ben H. Winters
Part suspenseful action page turner, part speculation on the meaning of time in our lives, Winters delivers as both an entertaining and thoughtful writer.
Read MoreThe Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu
Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel about Earth’s contact with an advanced alien race. Read before watching the Netflix series!
Read MoreThe Future, by Naomi Alderman
A dystopic, tech thriller that asks big questions about humanity, freedom, technology, and whether we can survive and thrive.
Read MoreStarter Villain, by John Scalzi
Very funny, James Bond-style science fiction involving uber-smart, genetically engineered cats, dolphins, whales, a volcano lair, giant laser beams, and a worldwide network of villains. An entertaining novel from John Scalzi, who I highly recommend.
Read MoreThe Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi
Like old Godzilla movies? You’ll love this sci-fi, action novel of four nerds trying to stay alive, keep the Kaiju alive, and beat the bad guys.
Read MoreOn Earth As It Is on Television, by Emily Jane
Quirky, funny sci fi novel, perfect for a light weekend read. TV, bacon, cheese, and plastic are our greatest achievements of human civilization, apparently.
Read MoreUpgrade, by Blake Crouch
Can we hack our genome to become smart enough to think our way out of our current environmental and political problems? Crouch’s novel sets up a cool answer to that question in this sci fi action adventure.
Read MoreSea of Tranquility, by Emily St. John Mandel
A novel of time travel and big questions for humanity. More pandemic fiction from Mandel, in a cleverly plotted novel.
Read MoreClean Air, by Sarah Blake
It’s the rise of the plants and their choking pollen in this postapocalyptic world, and a serial killer is on the loose. Great climate disaster-mystery mashup, good for your book discussion group.
Read MoreHow High We Go in the Dark, by Sequoia Nagamatsu
A pandemic novel, but far, far more. Nagamatsu tries to explore all of human history in this speculative novel.
Read MoreTermination Shock, by Neal Stephenson
Stephenson takes us a few steps into the future, when climate change threats are addressed by independent geoengineering efforts, sparking a new climate cold war.
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