Top 10 Sci-fi Books To Read In 2026
- sehar rollingauthors
- Dec 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 13
Who hasn’t dreamt of flying like a free bird in the endless sky or travelling through multiple time zones all at once at some point in their childhood? Well, somewhere along the way, we outgrew this sweet delusion—but with sci-fi books, you don’t really have to. They give you the much-needed escape from the horrors of real life.
But finding the perfect match for your preference can be a Herculean task in itself. Breathe, because we are here to save the day with this holy grail recommendation:
Table of Contents
Recursion
If you have spent hours pondering over the bizarre world of time-travelling, this book is the perfect pick for you. This book is going to leave you so perplexed that you might need to sit down and stare at the ceiling for an hour straight. Imagine waking up one day with memories of a life you never lived. Or did you? This book is going to put you in this very shambles of false memories, and trust us, you won't even say a word in defense.
Sea of Tranquility
The world can get chaotic with never-ending deadlines and work stress. And in such chaos, all your heart asks for is an hour of cosmic magic—then congratulations, our friend, you have found your match. In this narrative, Emily St. John Mandel takes you through a quantum ride and weaves everything together with a strange anomaly.
But hold on, that anomaly is waiting for you to explore. Already restless, huh?
The Terraformers
Imagine you wake up one day with the chance to rebuild the world from scratch. Sounds convenient, right? A clean slate. A fresh start. But hold on—there’s a catch. Corporate greed, fake utopias, and capitalism are back too, this time, more dangerous.
In The Terraformers, Annalee Newitz takes you headfirst into a chaotic blend of futuristic tech and wild world-building. It’s a ride that’ll leave you torn—between progress and exploitation.
Neuromancer
William Gibson had already dreamt of a world drowning in data streams even before AI and metaverse existed. This book is the anthem of everyone who is obsessed with the idea of cyberpunk, because Gibson has captured the very essence of it. You, our friend, are about to be thrown in the deep end of dystopian data, and somehow you willingly want to drown in it.
Klara and the Sun
Ever dreamt of having an Artificial friend? Someone who would get you in a way no one really does. Someone who loves you more purely than any human. It would be such an appropriate solution for today’s loneliness epidemic.
Kazuo Ishiguro crafted a sci-fi book that goes so far beyond and leaves you with a lingering question: can a machine’s affection ever truly fill the gap?
The Midnight Library
This book is the fusion between poetry and science that has come to life. Remember Sylvia Plath’s infamous fig tree analogy? It still haunts most of us every single day—about how each desire becomes another fig you can only watch wither on the tree. In this narrative, the author Matt Haig circles exactly around that. Imagine, somehow, you could live those “what ifs.” This book gives you a way to skim through all the versions of you that you could have been. Such a strange dream, indeed!
Kindred
This book pulls you into the blood-soaked history and makes sure you do not come out unscathed. This is not your regular time-travel sci-fi, but in a way, you voyage through the generational trauma of your ancestors. You are held by your throat in the quietest way possible. You will silently scream at the pages, question your survival instincts, and in the end, you would still choose to go through it again. That is the beauty of Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.
Cloud Atlas
This book is an amalgamation of generations of stories. It demands time and trust but leaves you grasping for meaning, for answers. It echoes the theme that our world was never truly solitary—we are all connected somewhere in this realm of the universe, and even a single ripple can bring about repercussions. Your life was never really your own. It shifts centuries and realities; you will feel you have already lived multiple lives, and still, it will leave you aching for more.
The Power
What is that one thing every woman so dearly wishes for, as if her whole life depends on it? Yes! You got it right—the physical strength of a man. The regality, the rage, and the revenge. This book is the wildest dream come true for most of us. Imagine you wake up one day with enough power to send electric jolts through the body of your nemesis. Sounds lethal, right? Wait till you get your hands on this masterpiece.
Project Hail Mary
If you want to feel the rush of adrenaline in your body, then congratulations, mate — you have found your match. Imagine you wake up one day and find yourself in a spaceship, and the only things in your sight are wires and your two dead crewmates.
And if that wasn't your worst nightmare come true, you’ve been tasked with the enormous responsibility of saving the sun—you are humanity’s last sacred thread of hope.
Give us a break, Andy Weir—we are still recovering.
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Key Takeaways
Sci-fi is not only for escaping reality; it also allows readers to reflect on their present circumstances through imaginative thinking.
The following selections also incorporate emotion, philosophy, and science—the perfect combination for readers in 2026.
All genres of sci-fi are represented—whether your passion lies in time travel, artificial intelligence, dystopian futures, or cosmic mysteries.
Sci-fi continues to stimulate creative thinking, expand empathy and foster intellectual curiosity—making it the most effective genre to stimulate the mind.
Expert Opinion (from editors, booksellers and critics)
1st: Evolving Trend in Sci-Fi—Emotional Intelligence
Today's sci-fi focuses less on technology and more on how technology affects human beings when they interact with other humans. Editors say that titles such as Klara and the Sun and Sea of Tranquility combine futuristic elements with emotionally rich narratives.
2nd: "Time Loop" Fiction/Multiverse Fiction is Dominating 2026
Book critics have identified a significant uptick in alternate-universe-themed novels, with books such as Recursion and The Midnight Library becoming staples in readers' libraries as they ponder the possibilities of an "alternate reality."
3rd: Increasing Popularity of Feminism and Social Justice Themes in Sci-Fi
Books such as The Power and Kindred will continue to gain popularity as more readers seek to find literature that examines social hierarchies and questions about gender, race, sexuality, and class.
4th: Sci-Fi is the Safest Place for Big Ideas
Sci-fi explodes with original submissions—philosophy, physics, and politics are all evident in the storytelling, with a high level of invention and an expanding number of ways to tell stories.
FAQs
1. Are there any "beginner" sci-fi books?
Certainly! This list includes both accessible books (The Midnight Library, Klara and the Sun) and classics that are deeper (Neuromancer, Cloud Atlas).
2. Do I need a science background to read these books?
Not necessarily. Most of these stories are very emotional and can be read by a general audience. Project Hail Mary is one example of how complicated science can be communicated in a simple way.
3. What should I read first?
If you want a real thrill—Recursion
If you want something more emotional—Klara and the Sun
If you want something that empowers women—The Power
If you want to read a classic cyberpunk novel—Neuromancer
4. Are these books good for book clubs?
Yes! In particular, The Midnight Library, Sea of Tranquility, Kindred, and Cloud Atlas would be good books to select for book clubs, as there's a lot of opportunity for conversation.
5. Will these books still be relevant after 2026?
All of these books are modern-day classics that are both timeless emotionally and futurist in terms of the themes they deal with.
So whether your soul aches for a ride to space, or your time-travel instincts are kicking in—sci-fi books have got you covered.
They’re waiting for you to dwell in their beautiful realm as you make it through yet another dreadful day.
And these recommendations? They’re your very own kickstart.
Are you prepared to make your science fiction dream a reality? At Rolling Authors, we provide writers with support in establishing ideas for stories, enhancing narrative flow, and creating extraordinary fictional worlds.
Our knowledgeable ghostwriters have experience working with authors on every aspect of their novels, from ghostwriting to editing your manuscript will be carefully cultivated into a finished product by our expert team.