Here are 2 books that Pale Lights fans have personally recommended if you like Pale Lights. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Project Hail Mary

Arthur Geis Author Of The Rocket Scientist

From my list on smart sci-fi for thinking readers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up when the space race was starting, and I became fascinated by all things regarding the planets, rockets, and the cosmos. For several years, I lived in the Houston area and spent hours and hours at the Johnson Space Center, where the history and future of space exploration are on display. The books on my list represent a major theme in my writing, which is futuristic in concept and asks the question: what we would do if our planet became uninhabitable. The answer provides the canvas to explore the advantages of technology, but most importantly, the determination of the human spirit.

Arthur's book list on smart sci-fi for thinking readers

Arthur Geis Why Arthur loves this book

I love this book because it blends real science with an incredibly human story about survival and connection.

Andy Weir makes complex physics feel accessible, while still keeping the stakes intense and the pacing fast. What really stands out for me is the unexpected friendship at the heart of the story—it turns what could have been a solitary mission into something deeply emotional.

By Andy Weir ,

Why should I read it?

110 authors picked Project Hail Mary as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through…


If you love Pale Lights...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Book cover of A Practical Guide to Evil

AgentSquishy

From Matthew's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Matthew loves this book

This progression fantasy story is a lot more like a classic epic fantasy. It exists in a world governed by the rules of stories so has a delicious meta thread through it. I love a series about doing good through villainy and what being perceived as a villain does to someone. There are major martial influences to the series with battles mapped from real world equivalents.

By David Verburg ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked A Practical Guide to Evil as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Empire stands triumphant.For twenty years the Dread Empress has ruled over the lands that were once the Kingdom of Callow, but behind the scenes of this golden age threats to the empire are rising.The nobles of the Wasteland weave their plots behind pleasant smiles while rebellion stirs beyond Peren Woods, for dreams of crowns were buried in shallow graves. The greatest danger of all lies to the west, where the First Prince of Procer has restored order at last: her people sundered, she ponders if a crusade might not be the way to secure her reign.Yet none of this…


Book cover of Project Hail Mary
Book cover of A Practical Guide to Evil

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