10 Fiction Books About Scientists That Will Blow Your Mind

Year of publication: 1818; sub-genre: gothic horror, science fiction; 

Let’s kick things off with the OG of mad scientist tales. Frankenstein is a brilliant horror story and a deep dive into the ambition, ethics, and the consequences of playing God. Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist driven by the desire to conquer death, crosses a line that probably shouldn’t be crossed. What follows is a haunting tale of creation, rejection, and the price of unchecked scientific curiosity.

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein when she was just 18, and yet the themes she explores—scientific responsibility, isolation, and the human condition—are as relevant now as they were two centuries ago. The language might feel a bit formal to modern readers, but don’t let that stop you. This is a book that will make you think hard about where science ends and ethics begin, all while giving you a good scare.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No. Mary Shelley wasn’t a scientist, but she was surrounded by intellectual heavyweights, including her husband, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. Their discussions on life, death, and science inspired her.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Not really. The idea of stitching together body parts and zapping them to life is firmly in the realm of fantasy. But the ethical questions the novel raises about scientific progress? Those are timeless.

Year of publication: 2014; sub-genre: hard science fiction, survival fiction; 

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you got stuck on Mars with only your wits and a few potatoes, The Martian has you covered. Mark Watney, an astronaut left behind after a mission goes sideways, uses every ounce of his scientific know-how to survive. The stakes couldn’t be higher: one wrong move and he’s toast (or worse, out of ketchup). But instead of wallowing in despair, Watney keeps things light with his snarky humor and relentless determination.

Andy Weir does an incredible job blending humor with nail-biting tension. The science is rock solid too, from the chemistry of water production to the physics of space travel. Even if you’re not a science buff, you’ll find yourself rooting for Watney as he “sciences the hell” out of every problem Mars throws his way.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No, but Andy Weir is a self-taught science enthusiast with a background in computer programming. His passion for accuracy shows on every page.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Yes, mostly. NASA has given it a thumbs-up, although the Martian storms are exaggerated for dramatic effect. Still, it’s as close to real as science fiction gets.

Year of publication: 1985; sub-genre: science fiction, first contact; 

Carl Sagan’s Contact is the ultimate “what if” novel. What if we’re not alone? And what if the universe has been waiting for us to grow up before it picks up the phone? The story follows Ellie Arroway, a brilliant radio astronomer who stumbles upon a signal from an alien civilization. As humanity scrambles to decode it, Ellie faces skepticism, political interference, and some seriously big questions about faith and science.

Sagan’s background as a scientist shines through, but Contact isn’t just about aliens, it’s about us. It’s a meditation on humanity’s need for connection, both with each other and with the cosmos. And while the science is on point, Sagan never lets it overshadow the emotional core of the story.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
Yes. Carl Sagan was a renowned astronomer and one of the greatest science communicators of his time.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Absolutely. Sagan ensures the science is as realistic as possible, from radio telescopes to the mechanics of interstellar communication.

Year of publication: 1961; sub-genre: psychological science fiction, speculative fiction;

Here’s a story that flips the “first contact” trope on its head. In Solaris, a group of scientists studies a distant planet covered by a sentient ocean. Sounds cool, right? Except this ocean isn’t playing by the rules. Instead of communicating directly, it probes the scientists’ minds, dredging up painful memories and personal demons. It’s like therapy, but way more unsettling.

Stanislaw Lem’s writing is dense but rewarding, and Solaris raises profound questions about human understanding, loneliness, and the limits of science. Don’t expect easy answers here—Lem is more interested in exploring the mysteries of consciousness than tying everything up in a neat bow. This is sci-fi for thinkers.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No. Lem wasn’t a scientist, but he had a keen interest in science and philosophy, which deeply inform his work.

Is the science in the book accurate?
No. The concept of a sentient ocean is purely speculative, but Lem’s philosophical and psychological explorations make it a fascinating read.

Year of publication: 1974; sub-genre: science fiction, social science fiction; 

Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed is a powerful exploration of political systems, personal freedom, and human ambition. The novel follows Shevek, a physicist from a utopian anarchist society who travels to a neighboring capitalist world to share his revolutionary theory of time. His journey challenges not only the societal norms of both worlds but also his own ideals.

Le Guin’s storytelling is masterful, blending intricate world-building with deeply personal struggles. What makes The Dispossessed so compelling is its ability to pose big philosophical questions: what does it mean to truly be free? Can progress thrive without personal sacrifice? All of this is wrapped in a narrative that explores the power and responsibility of scientific discovery. 

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No. Le Guin wasn’t a scientist, but her works reflect a deep understanding of social and philosophical complexities, as well as a clear respect for scientific inquiry.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Not exactly. The physics Shevek develops, while speculative, is thoughtfully constructed and serves as a great metaphor for the novel’s themes of connectivity and isolation.

Year of publication: 2008; sub-genre: hard science fiction, space opera; 

Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem starts with a bang—literally, as it opens during China’s Cultural Revolution—and only gets more intense from there. The novel centers on Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist whose traumatic past leads her to a secret scientific project that makes contact with an alien civilization. What unfolds is a mind-bending story about humanity’s place in the universe, the risks of technological advancement, and the weight of existential threats.

Liu’s novel is packed with scientific concepts, from quantum mechanics to orbital dynamics, yet it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it challenges readers to grapple with the moral and ethical dilemmas of first contact. It’s a dense but rewarding read, full of twists and revelations that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No, but Liu Cixin worked as a software engineer, and his technical expertise shines through in the novel.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Yes, the novel’s science is rooted in real-world physics, though it pushes the boundaries of what’s currently possible. Liu’s speculative elements are grounded enough to feel plausible.

Year of publication: 2023; sub-genre: speculative fiction, literary science fiction; 

Martin MacInnes’s In Ascension takes readers on a journey from the deepest parts of the ocean to the far reaches of space. The story follows Leigh, a marine biologist whose groundbreaking research in deep-sea ecology leads her to discoveries that challenge everything we know about life and the universe.

What sets In Ascension apart is its poetic yet accessible prose. MacInnes weaves scientific wonder with existential musings, crafting a novel that’s as much about the human experience as it is about scientific exploration. This is a book that will leave you staring at the ocean long after you’ve finished reading, wondering what else might be out there.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No, but MacInnes’s portrayal of scientific research feels deeply authentic.

Is the science in the book accurate?
While some of the scientific concepts are speculative, MacInnes grounds them in enough real-world research to make them feel plausible and thought-provoking.

Year of publication: 2014; sub-genre: ecological science fiction, psychological thriller; 

Annihilation drops you into the unsettling world of Area X, a mysterious, uninhabited region that defies scientific explanation. The novel follows an unnamed biologist who joins an expedition to explore this strange environment. As the team ventures deeper, they encounter bizarre phenomena that blur the lines between reality and hallucination.

VanderMeer’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, pulling you into a world that feels both alien and eerily familiar. What makes Annihilation so captivating is its exploration of humanity’s relationship with nature, as well as the limits of scientific understanding. This is a novel that will leave you with more questions than answers—in the best way possible.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No. VanderMeer is a fiction writer, but his depiction of scientific fieldwork is deeply researched and authentic.

Is the science in the book accurate?
Not exactly. The science leans heavily into the speculative, but it’s grounded enough to feel plausible within the novel’s eerie, surreal context.

Year of publication: 1969; sub-genre: techno-thriller, hard science fiction;

Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain is a fast-paced thriller that follows a team of scientists racing against time to contain a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism. The novel kicks off with a mysterious satellite crash in a small town, leading to a catastrophic outbreak. What follows is a tense, detailed exploration of scientific problem-solving under extreme pressure.

Crichton’s knack for blending real science with high-stakes drama shines in this novel. The book delves into microbiology, space exploration, and government protocols in a way that feels both educational and gripping. If you love stories where science saves the day—or almost doesn’t—this one’s for you.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
Yes, Michael Crichton had a medical degree, and his scientific background adds credibility to his work.

Is the science in the book accurate?
For its time, yes. The microbiology and procedural details are solid, though some of the technology is now outdated. Still, the core scientific principles hold up.

Year of publication: 1960; sub-genre: post-apocalyptic science fiction

In a world devastated by nuclear war, a group of monks works tirelessly to preserve scientific knowledge for future generations. Walter M. Miller Jr.’s A Canticle for Leibowitz is a sweeping, thought-provoking novel that spans centuries, exploring the cyclical nature of human progress and destruction.

What makes this book stand out is its blend of dark humor, philosophical inquiry, and richly drawn characters. Miller’s vision of a post-apocalyptic world is both haunting and hopeful, reminding us of the power of knowledge and the resilience of the human spirit.

Was the book written or co-written by a scientist?
No, but Miller’s deep understanding of history and science adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

Is the science in the book accurate?
The science is more symbolic than literal, but its portrayal of the preservation and rediscovery of knowledge is profoundly realistic.