Books by Sylvia Bishop

Sci fi writers have busy, flexible minds and give us a lot to enjoy beyond their famous novels, says our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop. Here, she recommends five of her favourite lesser-known works by big names: from novels to short form, and from the wonders of science to glorious nonsense.

Often, great fantasy writers will be best known for one work or world in particular. There’s a delight to discovering what else these great dreamers imagined, says our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop. She picks out five works by household names that you might not already have read – ranging from sprawling multiverses, to miniscule worlds in carpets.

The Hugo Awards are an annual celebration of fantasy and sci fi work, chosen by fans. Our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop introduces this year’s winners, with something for everyone to escape into – from the short story winner for a busy day, to the epic series for long winter evenings.

Fantasy classics often have a myth-like quality that lends itself to beautiful, carefully crafted editions, explains our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop. She introduces five key examples – from hand-produced wood-engravings to the re-colouring of a lifetime’s work, these books are labours of love.

The award-winning fantasy novels of 2025 are notable for spanning the breadth of the genre: murder mysteries and legal thrillers have been honoured alongside monsters, mythologies and folk tales. Our fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop introduces the five books that took the top spots, and the immersive worlds they offer readers.

This year’s crop of sci fi award-winners encompasses sentient AI, lost species revival, and genetic mutations, with novels, graphic novels and novellas all scooping prizes. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop introduces the prize-winning page-turners that have taken this year’s top spots.

In portal fantasy, characters leave one world for another – satisfying a yearning we all share, says fantasy novelist and Five Books fantasy editor Sylvia Bishop. She introduces us to five unforgettable doorways – through attics and out of dreams, via the liminal spaces between worlds, into the endless possibilities beyond.

Fans vote every year for the best of sci fi and fantasy, in both the Hugo Awards and the Nebula Awards, and the Best Novel spot in each is always one to watch. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop introduces the sci fi winners of the last decade: from titles that are now classics of the genre, to the newest writers making waves.

The winners of the Hugo Awards and the Nebula Awards are chosen by fans each year. They cover both fantasy and sci fi, and the best novel spot for each is highly prestigious. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop takes a look at the fantasy winners of the last decade, offering rich pickings for fans of magical worlds that are beautiful, absorbing and strange.

Award-winning sci fi books this year have ranged from deep-sea dives to space operas to goats. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop talks us through the winning titles.