Introduction to science fiction: The best sci-fi books for newbies to the genre

To say that Tchaikovsky is prolific is an understatement. He has more than thirty novels under his belt, and by the time you’ve finished reading this article he’s probably already finished writing another novella. Reading his backlist of books could be a mission on its own, so where to start? I highly recommend Tchaikovsky’s most recent novel, The Doors of Eden, as the gateway to his works, for three reasons. First, The Doors of Eden is a grand adventure brimming with scientific concepts that are much easier to access than his previous sci-fi novels. Secondly, the main characters – Lee, Mal and Kay Amal Khan – are effortlessly easy to empathize with. Finally, this is a satisfying standalone: there’s no cliffhanger and you don’t have to commit to reading a whole series. 

Reasons you’ll like it: Wonderful world-building, or to be more precise, multiverse-building. Diverse characters. Bizarre creatures. Filled with great ideas. Imaginative and cracking adventures. Standalone novel. 

Although The Doors of Eden is my favourite of Tchaikovsky’s books, this list would not be complete without recommending one of his most critically acclaimed novels, Children of Time. This is space opera and hard sci-fi in one. Intelligently crafted, Children of Time focuses on biological evolution, space travel, survival and cooperation. The climactic sequences are action-packed and memorable.

Reasons you’ll like it: "Brilliant science fiction and far-out world-building.” That’s what James McAvoy said about this book. If Professor X said so, I think it would be wise for us to listen.

Want to try something more lighthearted? Even if you’re not a sci-fi reader, you’ve probably heard about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy. It is for many good reasons that, decades after this book was first published, it still appears on a lot of ‘introduction to sci-fi’ lists. If you enjoy satire or parodies, look no further than this delightfully entertaining sci-fi classic. 

Reasons you’ll like it: Light-hearted with satirical humour. Easy to read, yet clever and prescient. Themes and commentaries that have stood the test of time.

Insightful and brimming with intelligence, this is a collection of sci-fi short stories that will appeal to those who love literary fiction. If you’re still apprehensive about reading science fiction, try starting with the titular story of the collection, Story of Your Life. This is a magnificent sci-fi tale that inspired the award-winning film Arrival.

Reasons you’ll like it: Explores ‘what if’ scenarios extraordinarily well. Emotional. Immersive. Philosophical. Smart concepts. Short yet impactful stories.

A Memory Called Empire is a slow burn, and every page is worth perusing. It’s difficult to unpack all the wondrous things contained within this debut in a few sentences, but I’ll try to compress it by saying that if you’re looking for a grand sci-fi/space opera with an intricate world-building hidden inside a murder mystery and a story full of political intrigue, look no further. A Memory Called Empire has been nominated for many awards, and recently won the Hugo Award for the Best Novel of the Year.

Reasons you’ll like it: Intricate world-building, diverse characters, murder mystery, female voice and LGBT+ representation.

This is the book that made me truly realize that sci-fi novels can be easy to understand, unputdownable, thrilling and thought-provoking all at once. Dark Matter is clearly designed to entertain, and Blake Crouch has certainly succeeded. This brilliantly plotted tale is mind-bendingly strange but profoundly human. 

Reasons you’ll like it: Page-turner. Thrilling. Makes you contemplate your life and all the paths you didn’t take.

I can’t resist recommending another book by Blake Crouch. His newest sci-fi thriller is an engaging read that will have you on the edge of your seat. Crouch knows how to make difficult sci-fi concepts accessible for newcomers, and he has proved that again here. The story revolves around the importance of memory and how it defines humanity; this is one book that will stay with me for a long time.

Reasons you’ll like it: Unputdownable narrative. Great characters. Shows the potentially terrifying effect of technologies. Memories, love, loss and redemption are the key themes.

I find it disturbing that although forty years have passed since this book was first published, its social commentary and raw portrayal of slavery still cuts deeply. Dana, a young African American woman living in LA in 1976, finds herself transported to a pre-Civil War Maryland plantation where she meets her ancestors. A powerful combination of historical fiction and sci-fi, Kindred forces its readers to think: what would I do if I were in that situation?

Reasons you’ll like it: Profound social commentary. Unusual time-travel. Thought-provoking. 

One of my favourite sci-fi series. There is so much energy and adrenaline imbued in Brown’s present-tense prose. The danger that the characters face feels immediate, and each moment of glory is full of elation. Pierce Brown knows how to give hope and take it away repeatedly, and his loyal fanbase, the Howlers, can’t help but love him for it. The series gets better and better as it progresses, and it all starts with his dystopian/sci-fi debut, Red Rising.

Reasons you’ll like it: Fast-paced. Unpredictable plotlines. Vivid action scenes (oh so many of them). Memorable characters.

A character-driven space opera series written in accessible prose, Leviathan Wakes is the first book in The Expanse series. This is one of the most famous ongoing sci-fi series out there right now, due to both the quality of the books themselves and the superbly adapted TV series.

Reasons you’ll like it: Characters that get under your skin. The scope of the setting is huge but easy to understand.