If you enjoy reading books by Becky Chambers then you might also like the following authors:
Martha Wells is an author who writes stories filled with heart and imagination. One of her most popular books is “All Systems Red,” the first in the Murderbot Diaries series. The story is about a part-human, part-machine security unit that has hacked its own control system.
Instead of wreaking havoc, it would rather spend its time watching entertainment feeds and avoiding humans. However, when a group of scientists it’s assigned to protect comes under threat, “Murderbot” is forced to step in.
Its dry humor and struggle to understand humans are both entertaining and surprisingly touching. If you enjoy character-focused sci-fi, this one is worth checking out.
Nnedi Okorafor writes imaginative and heartfelt stories that explore unique worlds and cultures. Her book “Binti” tells the story of a young woman named Binti, the first of her people to be accepted into a prestigious intergalactic university.
Leaving her family and her home planet, she boards a spaceship where events take an unexpected and dangerous turn. The story blends advanced technology with deeply rooted traditions, creating a world that feels both futuristic and personal.
Binti’s journey is filled with moments of courage and self-discovery, making it a memorable and rewarding read.
Ann Leckie is an author known for her imaginative science fiction that often explores themes of identity and connection. Her book “Ancillary Justice” introduces Breq, the last remaining piece of a starship’s artificial intelligence, trapped in a human body.
The story follows Breq on a mission driven by loyalty and revenge, finding purpose in unexpected alliances. The book weaves relationships between characters, blending personal struggles with broader societal conflicts.
Fans of Becky Chambers’ focus on emotional depth and unique characters might enjoy the way Leckie brings Breq’s perspective to life.
Kim Stanley Robinson is a science fiction author known for vibrant and thoughtful world-building. One of his standout books, “Aurora,” tells the story of humanity’s first attempt to reach another star system.
The book follows a multi-generational starship as it approaches the distant planet chosen as their new home.
Through the eyes of Freya, a curious and determined young woman, readers experience the challenges of living on a self-contained ship and the unexpected problems that arise when they reach their destination.
The narrative combines personal and societal struggles with a deep exploration of survival and human nature. If you enjoy stories about communities navigating the unknown, this might be worth a read.
Mary Robinette Kowal tells stories that mix human connections with fascinating twists on history or science.
In her book “The Calculating Stars,” she imagines an alternate 1950s where a meteorite crashes to Earth, sparking a race to colonize space as the planet faces catastrophic climate change.
Dr. Elma York, a mathematician and pilot, fights to become part of this effort, while confronting gender discrimination and societal expectations. The book explores her journey, her marriage, and the growing urgency of survival in a world that feels both different and relatable.
Fans of heartfelt, character-driven science fiction might find this story worth exploring.
Claire North is the pen name used by Catherine Webb, a talented writer with a knack for imaginative and thought-provoking stories. One of her standout novels is “The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August.”
The book follows Harry, a man who lives the same life repeatedly after each death. He remembers everything from his past lives and meets others like him.
The story takes a turn when Harry learns that something is causing the world to end faster with each cycle, and he must figure out how to stop it. It’s a fascinating mix of personal experiences and a growing sense of danger that keeps you turning pages.
Liu Cixin is a science fiction author from China known for creating thoughtful and imaginative stories. One of his most well-known books, “The Three-Body Problem,” starts with humanity making contact with an alien civilization after a mysterious signal is sent into space.
The book explores how this discovery changes life on Earth, touching on science, philosophy, and human nature. It opens during the Cultural Revolution in China, where scientists face a mix of political pressure and scientific discovery.
The narrative balances personal stories with big, intriguing ideas, creating moments that make you question what might happen if we ever find ourselves at the center of a first contact scenario.
Catherynne M. Valente is known for creating imaginative and richly detailed worlds. One of her books, “Space Opera,” is a fun and strange sci-fi adventure. The story follows a washed-up glam rock star named Decibel Jones, who gets pulled into a galaxy-wide singing competition.
The stakes are high—if Earth loses, the planet faces complete annihilation. Packed with quirky aliens, interstellar drama, and absurd humor, the book offers a wild ride through the universe.
Fans of Becky Chambers might enjoy Valente’s ability to weave heartfelt moments into stories that feel larger than life.
Naomi Novik writes books filled with heart and layered characters, offering stories that feel immersive and personal. If you enjoy Becky Chambers, you might like her novel “Uprooted.”
The story follows Agnieszka, a young woman who lives in a quiet village bordered by a dark, sinister forest called the Wood. When the local wizard, the Dragon, demands a girl as tribute to protect the village, Agnieszka is unexpectedly chosen.
What starts as an uneasy mentorship becomes a fascinating journey into magic, danger, and the secrets behind the cursed forest. It’s a book that captures the feeling of discovery and growth.
Yoon Ha Lee writes science fiction that combines imaginative worlds with strong emotional undercurrents. One of his books, “Ninefox Gambit,” is set in a universe where advanced technology is powered by the strict adherence to a calendrical system.
The story follows Captain Kel Cheris, who is tasked with retaking a fortress that has fallen to heresy. To succeed, she has to work with the undead general Shuos Jedao, a brilliant strategist with a dark and bloody past.
The push and pull between Cheris and Jedao creates a tense dynamic, as she questions whether she can trust him while relying on his expertise. The mix of military conflict, loyalty, and identity makes it a fascinating read.
Adrian Tchaikovsky writes science fiction that blends imaginative concepts with thought-provoking stories. One of his books, “Children of Time,” explores a future where humanity’s survival hinges on finding a new home among the stars.
A planet, thought to be uninhabited, is already home to an intelligent species—descendants of genetically uplifted spiders. The book explores how two very different civilizations try to understand each other despite fear and mistrust.
It’s a story full of strange worlds and fascinating ideas, built around themes of communication and coexistence. Fans of Becky Chambers’ heartfelt and character-driven sci-fi may find this a great read.
Kameron Hurley is a writer known for weaving intricate worlds with bold ideas. In her novel “The Stars Are Legion,” she introduces a universe dominated by living ships and political battles.
The story takes place on a monstrous fleet of organic worlds and follows Zan, a woman who wakes with no memory but is told she’s a warrior with a mission to save their decaying world.
As Zan pieces together her identity, she uncovers secrets about the people around her and the dying ships they rely on. It’s packed with tension, betrayal, and characters fighting to survive in a setting that’s as ruthless as it is strange.
Charlie Jane Anders writes stories that balance humor, emotion, and hope. Her book, “The City in the Middle of the Night,” is set on a planet where one side is scorched by endless sunlight and the other is frozen in total darkness.
The story follows Sophie, a quiet girl exiled into the deadly night, where she encounters mysterious creatures who change the way she sees the world. The book explores survival, friendships, and the possibility of coexistence between very different ways of life.
Fans of Becky Chambers might enjoy how Anders builds her worlds while focusing on characters and their relationships.
Seanan McGuire is an author whose writing brings a heartfelt and imaginative touch to fantasy and science fiction. One of her standout books is “Every Heart a Doorway,” which opens in a boarding school for children who’ve returned from magical worlds.
Each child once stepped through a portal to a place tailored to their soul but was forced back into our world and left struggling to fit in.
The story focuses on Nancy, a girl who lived in the stillness of an Underworld-like realm, and her arrival at the school shortly before a series of disturbing deaths.
McGuire blends deeply personal journeys with a sense of mystery, creating a world that feels both strange and familiar.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a master storyteller known for creating thought-provoking worlds.
One of her standout novels, “The Dispossessed,” tells the story of Shevek, a physicist traveling from his austere home planet, founded on ideals of equality, to a neighboring world that thrives on capitalism and luxury.
The book explores the contrast between these societies through Shevek’s journey and his work to bridge the divide. It’s not just about the differences between the planets but also about the personal challenges he faces while staying true to his principles.
The story blends big ideas with human emotion, making it both intimate and expansive.