📚 Books to Read After Science Fiction
Just finished science fiction? Here are 5 magical next reads curated just for you:
📘 Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Rating: 4.24 / 5 (84,715 ratings), Published: 1979
When to read it: When you need a perspective shift on history and human connections.
This powerful blend of science fiction and historical fiction follows Dana, a Black woman who involuntarily time travels between her 1970s world and a pre-Civil War plantation in the South. Butler’s exploration of race, power dynamics, and resilience will captivate you, making you rethink the concept of time itself.
Genres: Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Race Relations
After reading: Readers will feel a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of past and present, and a deeper empathy for the struggles faced by marginalized communities.
📘 Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Rating: 3.84 / 5 (475,145 ratings), Published: 2005
When to read it: During moments of contemplation about the meaning of life and identity.
Ishiguro’s poignant novel delves into a dystopian world where children are raised to be organ donors. Through the lens of three friends, this haunting narrative explores what it means to be human, the nature of memories, and the inevitability of fate.
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Coming-of-Age, Ethics
After reading: Readers will be left pondering profound questions about existence, mortality, and the essence of being truly alive.
📘 The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Rating: 4.07 / 5 (105,323 ratings), Published: 1969
When to read it: As you seek to explore gender, societal norms, and cultural diversity through a speculative lens.
In this groundbreaking work of science fiction, Le Guin imagines a planet where its inhabitants are ambisexual, blurring the lines of gender as we know them. Through a poignant narrative of friendship and diplomacy, she challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of identity and difference.
Genres: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Gender Studies, Politics
After reading: Readers will gain a new appreciation for the fluidity of identity and a deeper understanding of the complexity of human relationships.
📘 Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Rating: 4.03 / 5 (320,988 ratings), Published: 2014
When to read it: When you’re in need of a reminder of the beauty and fragility of human civilization.
Mandel’s post-apocalyptic novel weaves together the lives of characters before and after a devastating flu pandemic. Through her lyrical prose, she explores art, memory, and the resilience of the human spirit, offering a hopeful yet haunting vision of a world forever changed.
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Literary Fiction, Survival
After reading: Readers will be left with a sense of awe at the interconnectedness of humanity and a renewed appreciation for the power of art and storytelling in the face of adversity.
📘 Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Rating: 3.87 / 5 (19,665 ratings), Published: 2015
When to read it: When you’re craving a fresh perspective on cultural identity, bravery, and the mysteries of the universe.
In this novella, Okorafor tells the story of Binti, a young Himba woman who leaves her home to attend an interstellar university, only to face unexpected challenges and discoveries. Filled with rich imagery and themes of tradition, innovation, and intergalactic diplomacy, this Afrofuturist tale is a celebration of cultural heritage and personal growth.
Genres: Science Fiction, Afrofuturism, Young Adult, Identity
After reading: Readers will feel inspired by Binti’s courage and wisdom, and will be encouraged to embrace their own uniqueness and heritage in a world of endless possibilities.