The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (2014)

This isn’t your typical space adventure filled with battles and explosions — it’s about the people who make the galaxy run. Following the ragtag crew of the tunneling ship Wayfarer, the story focuses on connection, culture, and what it means to belong when “home” can be anywhere. Becky Chambers builds a world where empathy is as powerful as technology, and her characters — from a reptilian pilot to an AI wrestling with identity — feel achingly real. It’s a story about acceptance, found family, and the beauty of difference, wrapped in quiet humor and hope.

Rating: 5/5