Angel Down, by Daniel Kraus
Amongst the grotesque carnage of No Man’s Land in World War I, Cyril Bagger finds an angel, struck down, trapped in a nest of barbed wire. So begins a life-changing mystery, a fascinating novel by Daniel Kraus.
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 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 MoreOur Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng
A cautionary tale of what often happens when people are threatened and look for easy solutions, losing our humanity in the process. Highly recommended.
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 MoreWhen Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill
Imagine a mass phenomenon where some women suddenly become dragons and disappear. This novel takes on that big idea and explores the consequences.
Read MoreAnthem, by Noah Hawley
A cautionary tale told in the tone of Vonnegut, this novel describes how our current circumstances create unbearable anxiety in our future, our young people.
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.
Read MoreAxiom's End by Lindsay Ellis
Great science fiction novel, combining good story telling with much food for thought. One of this year’s best, and a first novel from YouTuber Lindsay Ellis.
Read MoreRodham, by Curtis Sittenfeld
What if Hillary Rodham did NOT marry Bill Clinton? An entertaining alternative history.
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