Dungeon Crawler Carl is a popular LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) series by Matt Dinniman about a man, Carl, and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, who are forced to survive a deadly, intergalactic game show that takes place in a dungeon that was once Earth. The series blends science fiction and fantasy, featuring graphic violence, dark humor, and RPG elements like levels, quests, and loot boxes, as Carl and Donut navigate the dungeon and its bizarre inhabitants. It's known for its witty narration, the unique dynamic between Carl and the talking cat, and its exploration of themes like survival and entertainment.

Red Rising is the first book in a dystopian science fiction series by Pierce Brown, following low-caste miner Darrow as he infiltrates the ruling Gold caste on Mars to lead a rebellion against an oppressive, color-coded society. After discovering his people's labor is a lie, he undergoes surgery to become a Gold and enters a brutal proving ground, the Institute, to bring down the system from within. The novel, published in 2014, is known for its fast-paced, brutal, and epic story, blending elements of The Hunger Games with a more mature, complex world.

Automatic Noodle is a cozy science fiction novella by Annalee Newitz about a group of abandoned robots who open a hand-pulled noodle shop in post-war San Francisco, facing challenges like a targeted review-bombing campaign and finding their place in a world not built for them. Published in August 2025, the book explores themes of identity, found family, and community through its charming, near-future story of bots finding purpose and creating a business.