More than 50 years have passed since humans first stepped foot on the moon, but it remains a mystery. It has been enchanting humans, inspiring scientists and artist alike for so long as man can remember.  Always there, so tantalizingly close, yet still so far away. The recent Chinese rover landing on the far side of the moon in 2019, offered us a glimpse of the dark side of the moon. Most hadn’t really thought about it but this “most” doesn’t include authors. Writers continue to obsess over the Earth’s natural satellite, from its quite literal dark side and its potential destructive power. The moon remains a regular source of inspiration as evidenced by these five books on our list.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein

From an influential science fiction writer of his era comes a tale of revolution, of rebellion, of disparate people committed to the revolution’s ultimate success. Robert Heinlein offers a novel bursting with politics, humanity, passion, innovative technical speculation, and a firm belief in the pursuit of human freedom. While readers might confuse the book as faulty, it is meant as part of the setting. The story is written from the first person perspective of someone who speaks broken English and living in a time and place where broken English is the main language. Furthermore, this book shows that first rate futurism need not be pedantic in tone or in presentation. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a plausible and engaging read.

Moon Luck by Scott Harral

Moon Luck may be a debut novel but it appears to be a work written by a long-time writer. Scott Harral offers a glimpse of how humanity takes permanent residence on the moon. What’s interesting about this book is how the author entwined crime and science fiction in one short read. He did a beautiful job at detailing life on the moon will be for a full immersive experience. His creation of the plot, with its intricate development and engaging characters, is a supreme achievement for this amateur writer. Moon Luck by Harral is a fast-paced novel that will become an astonishing science fiction phenomenon. The author’s genius is at its height in this timeless classic.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It is a riveting and deeply frightening novel that will have readers biting their nails. Although this is considered as science fiction, it can also be categorized as dystopian for its post-apocalyptic and disaster theme. Susan Beth Pfeffer does an amazing job at exploring the what-ifs of when the moon is out of tune with our planet. The narrator is 16-year old Miranda who describes the tribulations of her family’s quest for survival in a diary-like manner. Life As We Knew It reminds readers that our existence is an incredibly lucky one and at the same time fragile.

The Moon and the Other by John Kessel

John Kessel creates a rich matriarchal utopia, set in the near future on the moon. It portrays a society that is flawed by love and sexual desires, and on the brink of destructive civil war. The author plays out a complex but relevant story about politics, gender identity, and social conflict through a series of characters living on the Earth’s satellite. It is both relatable and speculative. This fun yet deep novel contends with matters of the heart with a message of clear-eyed hope. The Moon and the Other is impossible to put down. A remarkable diversion for science fiction fans.

The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov

The Gods Themselves is arguably Isaac Asimov’s masterpiece. It is not at all complex, but mak be the most imaginative story for a science fiction book. This is a story based on the idea of exchanging energy between universes. It outlines a future where energy has become essentially free, not simply in an economic sense but also in an apparent violation of thermodynamics and physics. This can be quite detailed but ride along and readers’ will gradually immerse more in the story. Nonetheless, this novel has intriguing subplots to keep readers hooked which proves that he has learnt from his earlier novels.