Slow sci-fi can be a peaceful read between more action-packed books, or can give you the chance to grapple with a futuristic or otherworldly concept on multiple levels. Don’t be fooled — slow doesn’t mean shallow, and sometimes thoughtful sci-fi can give the horrors of a dystopia more time to develop, really drawing back before landing that gut punch. Here are some lower-action, thoughtful sci-fi reads to add to your TBR pile. Sometimes uplifting, sometimes sad, slow, and thoughtful, sci-fi is always worth the read; it creates space for characters and concepts to really develop and gets to the roots of the worlds that the authors are building. Whether you want to dip into some short stories, or take a longer journey with a full-length novel, thoughtful sci-fi has something for you. If you’re looking for sci-fi that’ll make you smile, have a look at our list of 20 Must-Read Feel-Good Science Fiction Books. And if you want tailored recommendations that will help you find your new favourite book, don’t forget to check out Book Riot’s TBR service, where our experts will pick out the perfect book for you! Give them what you’re looking for in a book, and they’ll handle the rest!
