← All curators

Fonda Lee's Reading List

Fonda Lee is a New York Times best-selling, World Fantasy Award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy. Her novels include the Green Bone Saga and The Last Contract of Isako.

In These Books, You Don't Have to Be Young to Save the World (2026)

NYT By the Book column (May 6, 2026) — Fonda Lee recommends fantasy and science fiction novels with older, wiser, absolutely epic heroes.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Shannon Chakraborty · Buy on Amazon

"Amina al-Sirafi might be my favorite middle-aged heroine in recent literature. A legendary pirate turned retired single mother, she’s pulled back into the swashbuckling life for one last job with a personal connection to her past."

Kings of the Wyld

Nicholas Eames · Buy on Amazon

"At first, Eames’s debut novel appears to be a hilarious mash-up of Dungeons & Dragons and classic rock. But it is also a remarkably heartfelt story, largely because of its sensitive main character."

Luna: New Moon

Ian McDonald · Buy on Amazon

"It will come as no surprise to anyone who’s read my books that I love a mafia saga, and McDonald’s is one of my favorites. The Moon colony that he depicts with stark, evocative prose is ruled by a quintet of ruthless families, the Five Dragons."

Apprehension

Mary Robinette Kowal · Buy on Amazon

"A family vacation to an alien planet goes horribly wrong when a child is kidnapped, and his grandmother Bonnyjean — a surgeon with PTSD and a bad hip — will do anything to get him back. Kowal balances the action-packed plot with Bonnyjean’s raw emotional journey; the military veteran is grieving the recent loss of her son and battling her own fear and physical limitations."

The Bone Maker

Sarah Beth Durst · Buy on Amazon

"Durst has written several great fantasy novels with young heroines (“The Queen of Blood,” “Race the Sands”). But what happens to those plucky saviors after the fighting is done?"

The Last Astronaut

David Wellington · Buy on Amazon

"After a tragic, failed mission to Mars, the astronaut Sally Jansen has lived in disgrace, working in salvage. She’s called back into service when NASA discovers a mysterious alien object approaching Earth with unknown intentions."

Remnant Population

Elizabeth Moon · Buy on Amazon

"When her planetary colony is shut down, Ofelia stays behind as the last shuttle leaves and finally achieves #lifegoals: a peaceful retirement tending her garden without a soul around to bother her. Well, except for the aliens, that is."

The Keeper’s Six

Kate Elliott · Buy on Amazon

"It’s not often that you read about a Jewish grandmother saving her kidnapped adult son from a dragon lord. Esther is a member of a Hex — a crew of six magically skilled individuals who can traverse the Beyond that links worlds."

Leviathan Wakes

James S.A. Corey · Buy on Amazon

"You might know “The Expanse” as a beloved sci-fi television show. But a key advantage to experiencing Corey’s space opera series via the original novels (starting with “Leviathan Wakes”) is the interior perspective of Detective Joe Miller."

Legend

David Gemmell · Buy on Amazon

"Published in 1984, “Legend” is the oldest title on this list, making it a fitting final recommendation. The plot is simple but compelling: Small army must defend itself against enormous invading army."

Suggest an update?