Best Science Fiction Books NPR (2026): 4 Compared

Space opera, illustrated futures and dragon expeditions make strange shelf-mates, but the best science fiction books npr readers ask about share one thing: stories that outlast the news cycle. We compared four by awards, format, pages, series and publication date, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	A Memory Called Empire	9.8/10	Buy
2	The Electric State	9.6/10	Buy
3	The Tropic of Serpents	9.6/10	Buy
4	Aesthetica	9.6/10	Buy

1

A Memory Called Empire

Arkady Martine·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Arkady Martine's space opera, winner of the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel and an NPR Favorite Book of 2019, Book 1 of 2.

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Pros

• 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel
• NPR Favorite Book of 2019 stated
• Book 1 of a 2-book series

Cons

• Print length not stated in pages
• Space opera may not suit every reader
• Book 2 needed to finish the story

2

The Electric State

Simon Stålenhag·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Simon Stalenhag's illustrated science fiction story in 144 pages, the inspiration for the Netflix film.

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Pros

• Illustrated throughout
• 144 pages stated
• Inspiration for the Netflix film

Cons

• Short at 144 pages
• Illustrated format may not suit all readers
• No series information stated

3

The Tropic of Serpents

Marie Brennan·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Marie Brennan's second Lady Trent memoir, a dragon naturalist expedition to the tropics, Book 2 of 5.

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Pros

• Book 2 of a 5-book series
• Dragon naturalist expedition story
• First edition stated

Cons

• Print length not stated in pages
• Book 2, not a series start
• Fantasy leaning, per the listing

4

Aesthetica

Allie Rowbottom·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Allie Rowbottom's debut novel about a former influencer facing a high-risk elective surgery, published November 2022.

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Pros

• Debut novel, literary focus
• Published November 2022
• Strong premise on social media culture

Cons

• Print length not stated in pages
• Literary rather than genre fiction
• Dark subject matter

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Compare the picks

Details are as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026. Three of the four listings give no page count.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs coverage (awards and recognition), build (format and presentation), value and recency, using only stated facts. The Hugo winner leads on awards. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best science fiction books npr readers love

Start with the award winner

A Memory Called Empire carries the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel and an NPR Favorite Book of 2019 listing, the strongest recognition here. For readers who want one book that the wider world has already vetted, it is the clear first pick. Fans of neighboring genres can browse our fantasy books lists too.

Illustrated or prose

The Electric State is the only illustrated book here, at 144 pages of Stalenhag’s painted futures. The other three are prose novels. Pick the format that matches your reading mood: a visual trip or a long sit-down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book here won the Hugo Award?

A Memory Called Empire, winner of the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novel and an NPR Favorite Book of 2019.

Which is the briefest read?

The Electric State at 144 pages, the only listing here with a stated page count.

Which of these inspired a film?

The Electric State, the inspiration for the Netflix blockbuster per the listing.

Still deciding? Our top pickA Memory Called Empire

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Related lists

See every fiction list and all nonfiction lists.

More lists: science fiction books for reading, science fiction space opera and literary science fiction.