Like fantasy, science fiction is known to be quite heavy. However, plenty of science fiction authors have found their initial success through short fiction.
You’ll find most of these stories published in anthologies and magazines, especially when pulp magazines like Astounding Stories and Weird Tales were at their height. Even now, the genre continues to thrive through short stories written by modern writers.
Best Sci-fi Short Stories
If you’re looking to make the most out of your free time, here are some of the best science fiction short stories you can read.
1. Nightfall by Isaac Asimov
The planet Lagash lives in perpetual daylight due to its multiple suns. However, darkness can occur once every 2049 years when all six suns are hidden from view. As scientists anticipate this event, they must also consider the madness that true darkness will bring to the planet.
2. They’re Made Out of Meat by Terry Bisson
Two intelligent beings, capable of faster-than-light travel, are on a mission to contact and document the sentient beings on this side of the universe. They talk about a recently discovered carbon-based species made entirely of meat. Both are baffled by such an existence.
3. The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster
Humanity has lost the ability to live on the surface of the earth. Now they survive in cells below ground with all their needs taken care of by an omnipotent Machine.
Over time, humanity becomes wholly dependent on the Machine, treating it as a god. But what happens to an entirely subservient people when their object of worship eventually dies?
4. The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke
A group of monks seeks to list down all of the names of God, believing it is the reason why the universe was created. Two men are hired to print them out using a computer. What happens if all nine billion names are finally written down?
5. Inventory by Carmen Maria Machado
The protagonist goes through her sexual encounters before and after a deadly virus threatens to wipe out humanity. Through them, she chronicles the development of the disease, which is spread through human contact.
6. 26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss by Kij Johnson
Aimee has bought a traveling monkey show. Their act involves 26 monkeys disappearing on stage after climbing in a bathtub. She tries to discover how they vanish.
7. A Letter from the Clearys by Connie Willis
A young girl goes to a derelict post office, finding a letter from family friends who were due to visit but never arrived. She reads the contents out to her family, who get increasingly upset with every sentence spoken.
8. Bloodchild by Octavia Butler
A colony of humans and a race of insect-like lifeforms have formed a codependent relationship. The Tlic protect the humans, while the latter serve as hosts for their eggs. A boy, chosen to carry the eggs of a female Tlic, slowly changes his mind when he is forced to perform a c-section on a pregnant man being eaten alive on the inside.
9. The Janitor in Space by Amber Sparks
Space travel has become such a norm that NASA hires a woman to be a space janitor, rather than having the astronauts clean up after themselves. As she does her work, she ruminates on the things she’s running from and the peace of loneliness.
10. Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang
Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist, is brought in to help communicate with an alien species called the Heptapods. Her understanding of their language leaves her experiencing time in a non-sequential manner, particularly concerning her daughter.
11. The Water That Falls on You from Nowhere by John Chu
Weeks prior, an unexplained phenomenon affects the world. When a person lies, water falls on them seemingly from nowhere. This makes it difficult for Matt, who must determine how best to come out to his traditional Chinese parents and propose to his lover.
12. Evil Robot Monkey by Mary Robinette Kowal
Sly, a chimp who likes to shape clay, has an implant that makes him smarter than the other chimps. An incident has his handlers take away his clay, angering Sly.
13. The Dog Said Bow-Wow by Michael Swanwick
Sir Blackthorpe Ravenscairn de Plus Precieux is a genetically engineered talking dog with human-level intelligence. Together with Aubrey Darger, his partner-in-crime, they plan to con Buckingham Palace off its wealth.
14. None So Blind by Joe Haldeman
A neurosurgeon falls in love with a blind musician. Together, they develop an experimental procedure that enhances intelligence by utilizing the visual areas of the brain.
15. The Crystal Spheres by David Brin
Humanity’s first attempt at interstellar travel ends horribly when the ship crashes into an invisible barrier. Realizing that every inhabited system is surrounded by crystal spheres, humanity seeks out who put them there and why.
What other science fiction short stories do you like? Share them in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
