Science fiction is having a genuine moment in 2026. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is #2 on Amazon’s overall bestseller list for the year — not just in sci-fi, but across all books. And with Crux, Starter Villain, and a wave of smart, character-driven science fiction arriving in 2026, the genre has firmly moved beyond its reputation as the domain of tech bros and rocket enthusiasts.
These are the best science fiction books of 2026 — and several of them are perfect for readers who have never picked up a sci-fi book before.
1. Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir
The book: Amazon’s #2 bestselling book of 2026 overall. Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there — and he slowly realises he may be humanity’s last hope. What unfolds is one of the most joyful, ingenious, and emotionally satisfying science fiction novels written in a decade.
The genius of Project Hail Mary is that it is fundamentally a story about problem-solving, friendship, and human curiosity rather than darkness, warfare, or dystopia. It is the perfect entry point for readers who think they do not like science fiction.
Best for: Readers who loved The Martian, science fans, anyone who wants sci-fi that makes them feel good rather than anxious.
UK price: From £7.99 on Amazon
Amazon UK rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 from 150,000+ reviews globally)
→ Buy Project Hail Mary on Amazon UK
2. Crux — Trevor Kinley
The book: One of the most talked-about science fiction debuts of 2026 and an Amazon editors’ Best Books of the Year pick. Crux blends quantum physics with espionage in a thriller that asks what happens when two versions of the same person exist in the same timeline — and one of them needs to be eliminated. It has drawn comparisons to Blake Crouch’s Recursion for its ability to make complex physics feel intimate and propulsive.
Best for: Thriller readers open to sci-fi concepts, fans of Blake Crouch and Michael Crichton, BookTok sci-fi community.
UK price: From £13.99 on Amazon
Amazon UK rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Editors’ Pick 2026
3. Starter Villain — John Scalzi
The book: What if you inherited a supervillain operation from your uncle and had no idea how to run it? Scalzi’s comic science fiction is the perfect counterpoint to grim dystopia — it is wildly funny, fast-paced, and genuinely clever. Starter Villain won the Hugo Award and has been one of the word-of-mouth books of the past year, passed hand-to-hand between readers who describe it as “the most fun they have had reading in years.”
Best for: Readers who want to laugh, fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, anyone who has been put off sci-fi by its tendency toward seriousness.
UK price: From £9.99 on Amazon
Amazon UK rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hugo Award Winner
→ Buy Starter Villain on Amazon UK
4. Recursion — Blake Crouch
The book: A neuroscientist develops a device that can access and alter memories — and in doing so accidentally creates a catastrophic fracture in reality. Recursion is the most re-readable science fiction thriller of recent years, a book that rewards a second read once you understand what has been happening from the very first chapter. It is consistently recommended alongside Project Hail Mary as the two books most likely to convert non-sci-fi readers.
Best for: Thriller fans, readers interested in consciousness and memory, anyone who wants science fiction that moves like a crime novel.
UK price: From £7.99 on Amazon
Amazon UK rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4 from 80,000+ reviews)
5. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet — Becky Chambers
The book: The warmest, most humane science fiction novel written in the past decade. Chambers’ debut follows a crew of mismatched characters travelling through space on a tunnelling ship, and the book is fundamentally about community, belonging, and what it means to make a home among people who are nothing like you. It is the sci-fi book most recommended for readers who say they find the genre too cold or too technical.
Best for: Readers who love character over plot, women sci-fi readers, anyone who loved The Hitchhiker’s Guide but wants something more emotionally resonant.
UK price: From £7.49 on Amazon
Amazon UK rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 from 40,000+ reviews)
→ Buy The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet on Amazon UK
The Best Sci-Fi Books for Readers Who Think They Hate Sci-Fi
The single biggest misconception about science fiction is that you need to be interested in space, technology, or physics to enjoy it. Project Hail Mary, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, and Starter Villain are all proof that the best science fiction is fundamentally about people — their relationships, their decisions, and what they are willing to sacrifice for each other. The science is the setting, not the point.
If you have been curious about sci-fi but put off by the reputation, Project Hail Mary is the book to start with. It is funny, accessible, and one of the most genuinely moving reading experiences available in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best science fiction book of 2026?
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is the #2 bestselling book on Amazon overall in 2026, making it the most commercially successful science fiction book of the year. Crux by Trevor Kinley is the Amazon editors’ top debut sci-fi pick of 2026.
What is Project Hail Mary about?
Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As he slowly recovers his memory, he realises he may be humanity’s last chance of survival. It is a story about problem-solving, unlikely friendship, and scientific curiosity set against a backdrop of potential human extinction.
What are the best science fiction books for non-sci-fi readers?
Project Hail Mary and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet are consistently recommended as the best entry points for readers who do not usually enjoy science fiction. Both focus on character, relationships, and emotional resonance rather than hard science or technical detail. Starter Villain is the best option for readers who want something funny and fast-paced.
Are these sci-fi books available on Kindle in the UK?
Yes. All five books are available as Kindle editions on Amazon UK. Project Hail Mary, Recursion, and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet are all available at competitive Kindle prices. Crux and Starter Villain are also available in digital editions.
Is science fiction popular in the UK in 2026?
Yes. Science fiction and fantasy together account for one of the top three best-selling fiction categories on Amazon UK. With Project Hail Mary at #2 on Amazon’s overall bestseller list and BookTok driving significant discovery of sci-fi titles, the genre is reaching broader audiences than at any point in recent memory.
