7 Sci-Fi Books You Need To Read, According To Brandon Sanderson

Published Sep 14, 2026, 7:10 PM EDT Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes. Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses. They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer. In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18. Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity. Author Brandon Sanderson has shared many book recommendations over the years, and these are seven sci-fi books he enjoyed that you may want to pick up if you haven’t already. While he’s best known for his epic fantasy books in the Cosmere, Sanderson has crossed over into the sci-fi genre many times. He created the Skyward series, an intergalactic military sci-fi set in the Cytoverse that has become a certified hit. His co-author, Janci Patterson, is expanding the Cytoverse world with the most recent release, Blightfall, and two more in the series. He also wrote the post-apocalyptic superhero series The Reckoners, which recently received a surprise re-release. Given his experience and passion for the fantasy and sci-fi genres, Sanderson is a great person to look to for book recommendations. More often than not, his recommendations are fantasy. However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t read or recommend sci-fi. Across his website, YouTube channel, and Goodreads, the author has shared science fiction books he's enjoyed reading. Many are popular picks, but he also throws in some lesser-known books. Ultimately, fans of Sanderson should consider reading these seven sci-fi books enjoyed and recommended by the author. 7 Dune (1965) by Frank Herbert Brandon Sanderson has often discussed his love of Dune by Frank Herbert and how it influenced his worldbuilding. In a 2025 lecture called “Promise, Progress, Payoff – Plot Theory” at Brigham Young University, posted on YouTube, he affirmed that Dune is one of his favorite and most re-read books of all time. When talking about his future Cosmere books with Winter Is Coming, he cited Dune as a prime example of where the shared book is going. He told them that he wants a similar blend of epic sci-fi and fantasy with a massive scope, rather than going hard sci-fi. For this reason, any fans wanting to dive into a Sanderson-recommended sci-fi book need to pick up the iconic novel. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, the 1965 book is widely considered one of the best science fiction books of all time and a pinnacle of the space opera genre. If you've only seen the movies, I promise it’s worth your time. 6 Project Hail Mary (2021) by Andy Weir Brandon Sanderson is a big fan of Andy Weir, praising The Martian and Artemis as two books he really likes. However, in his review of Project Hail Mary on Dragonsteel, posted May 26, 2021, he said he liked it more than both of Weir's other books. The book centers on a school science teacher named Ryland Grace, who wakes up in a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. However, he’s tasked with saving the Earth. He appreciates that this book has more science fiction and a more complex storyline. Sanderson also praises the author for showing optimism as a compelling narrative, even when the characters are in terrible situations. He enjoys the amnesiac premise, where Ryland Grace wakes up not knowing who he is or how he got there. He finds that trope fascinating. His recommendation ends with him calling Project Hail Mary “an uplifting, exciting, and well-written novel that I think you all would enjoy.” 5 Scion (2026) by James Islington For the release of Blightfall, Janci Patterson and Brandon Sanderson held a launch party with author James Islington, who was promoting his new book, Scion. In his next update video on the Brandon Sanderson YouTube channel, he recommended the book to fans, saying he finished it and thought it was pretty good. He also praised Islington as a great writer. Sanderson also mentioned that many of his fans really like Islington. For those reasons, you may want to pick up Scion and give it a shot. James Islington is primarily a fantasy writer, but his newest book, Scion, is a cyberpunk thriller. The book centers on a genetically enhanced assassin named Azure living in a dystopian future where the rich can buy immortality. Assassinating immortals is legally sanctioned and a legitimate career. However, Azure is assigned to protect a mysterious older woman rather than kill her. 4 A Fire Upon the Deep (1992) by Vernor Vinge In 2012, Brandon Sanderson wrote a list of fantasy book recommendations on the Dragonsteel FAQs website. However, he includes one science fiction selection, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, saying it’s one of his all-time favorite science fiction books. He said he was re-reading it at the time of writing and, “it is as delightful as I remember it being.” The inclusion of A Fire Upon the Deep, which won the 1993 Hugo Award, in his favorites list is no surprise because it’s the same sort of sweeping, epic space opera as Dune. In the book, the Milky Way galaxy is split into different regions, with the physics and intelligence differing based on how close a layer is to the center. The Slowness is where the Earth resides, being bound to the speed of light and very basic technology. The Beyond includes faster-than-light travel and advanced aliens. The Transcend possesses godlike, post-physical-body entities. An ancient evil intelligence called the Blight is let out from the Transcend, determined to destroy the galaxy. Two children, Johanna and Jeffrey, flee with a secret weapon that could save everyone. 3 The Fated Sky (1998) by Mary Robinette Kowal Brandon Sanderson uses his Goodreads account as a tool for his BYU students. He includes only five-star books he loves and thinks offer a valuable lesson. Most of the books are fantasy, but the book The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal, which is the second in the Lady Astronaut Universe, is included. He described The Fated Sky as one of those books that you start reading at midnight and finish at 5 am “knowing you will be sorry for having gotten no sleep, but not at all sorry for having read the whole book at once.” Order in the timeline Title Release year #1 The Calculating Stars 2018 #2 The Fated Sky 2018 #3 The Relentless Moon 2020 #4 The Martian Contingency 2025 Original novelette The Lady Astronaut of Mars 2012 Set in 1961 in an alternate history timeline, humanity has colonized the moon and is preparing to take Mars next. The main character, Dr. Elma York, wants to join the mission but must decide whether the multi-year trip will be worth it, since she has to leave behind her husband and her dreams of starting a family. The good news is that The Fated Sky is perfect for anyone who wants a long series to dive into. 2 Uglies (2005) by Scott Westerfeld In the book recommendation FAQ section of Brandon Sanderson’s website, the author stated that he read Uglies and “enjoyed that.” He wasn’t expansive about why, but it’s a classic in the dystopian sci-fi genre worth reading. As such, I’m not surprised he read it and enjoyed it. Uglies is the first in the titular book series, set in a futuristic world where everyone undergoes mandatory, extreme cosmetic surgery at 16 years old in order to fit the standard definition of “pretty.” A teen named Tally can’t wait to turn sixteen in a few weeks, but her friend Shay doesn’t want the operation. Shay runs away, and the authorities task Tally with finding and bringing Shay back. If she doesn’t, she can’t turn pretty. The four-book series features Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras. Despite existing in the YA genre, it has themes that will resonate with audiences of all ages. 1 The Murderbot Diaries (2018-Present) by Martha Wells On episode 285 of his podcast, Intentionally Blank on YouTube, he discussed the Apple TV adaptation of Murderbot and gave it a 9 out of 10, missing only that last star because he’s comparing it to the books by Martha Wells, which he praises. He mentions that the book and movie are both funny in an “if Data [from Star Trek] had homicidal tendencies” kind of way. He says the internal monologue is better in the book, though the story is largely the same whether you read it or watch it. According to Brandon Sanderson's YouTube short of the Intentionally Blank podcast, one of the execs on the Murderbot TV show is also working on Apple TV's television adaptation of The Stormlight Archive. For those who haven’t read The Murderbot Diaries, they are a series of novellas and novels that follow a Security Unit (SecUnit) who has secretly gained autonomy and calls itself Murderbot. It is sarcastic and doesn’t like or understand humans. All it wants to do is be alone and watch soap operas. However, it has to pretend to be normal so it won’t be discovered. As of the time of writing, the series has eight core books and several short stories. Because of the length of each one, readers can blow through them pretty fast, making them an ideal read for a day off. Ultimately, any of these sci-fi books that Brandon Sanderson enjoys are worth reading, though.