Every Hugo Award for Best Novel winner, 1953–2026

The Hugo Award for Best Novel has gone to 75 books since 1953; in 1966, 1993 and 2010 the prize was shared, and in 2 years it was not given at all. Voted by members of the World Science Fiction Convention for the best science fiction or fantasy novel of the previous year. The latest winner is The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (2026). Of the 43 winners on ReadingRate, the most readable is The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (difficulty 23/100, about 5.3 hours); the hardest is The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (80/100). The quickest of them to finish is Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, at about 3.5 hours.

How book difficulty is measured

2026

• The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow — difficulty 49/100, about 6.4 hours
• A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett — finalist
• Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor — finalist
• Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky — finalist
• The Incandescent by Emily Tesh — finalist
• The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson — finalist

2025

• The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett — difficulty 36/100, about 6.3 hours
• Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky — finalist
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley — finalist
• Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky — finalist
• Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell — finalist
• A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher — finalist

2024

• Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh — difficulty 50/100, about 9.5 hours
• The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty — finalist
• The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera — finalist
• Starter Villain by John Scalzi — finalist
• Translation State by Ann Leckie — finalist
• Witch King by Martha Wells — finalist

2023

• Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher — difficulty 29/100, about 3.5 hours
• The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi — finalist
• Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree — finalist
• Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir — finalist
• The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — finalist
• The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal — finalist

2022

• A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine — difficulty 58/100, about 12 hours
• The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers — finalist
• Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki — finalist
• A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark — finalist
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir — finalist
• She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan — finalist

2021

• Network Effect by Martha Wells
• Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse — finalist
• The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin — finalist
• Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir — finalist
• Piranesi by Susanna Clarke — finalist
• The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal — finalist

2020

• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine — difficulty 41/100, about 7.9 hours
• The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders — finalist
• Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir — finalist
• The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley — finalist
• Middlegame by Seanan McGuire — finalist
• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow — finalist

2019

• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal — difficulty 23/100, about 5.3 hours
• Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers — finalist
• Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee — finalist
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik — finalist
• Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse — finalist
• Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente — finalist

2018

• The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin — difficulty 53/100
• The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi — finalist
• New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson — finalist
• Provenance by Ann Leckie — finalist
• Raven Stratagem by Yoon Ha Lee — finalist
• Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty — finalist

2017

• The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin — difficulty 59/100
• All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders — finalist
• A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers — finalist
• Death's End (死神永生) by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu — finalist
• Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee — finalist
• Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer — finalist

2016

• The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin — difficulty 80/100, about 18 hours
• Uprooted by Naomi Novik — finalist
• Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie — finalist
• Seveneves by Neal Stephenson — finalist
• The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher — finalist

2015

• The Three-Body Problem (三体) by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu
• The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison — finalist
• The Dark Between the Stars by Kevin J. Anderson — finalist
• Skin Game by Jim Butcher — finalist
• Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie — finalist

2014

• Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie — difficulty 45/100, about 6.4 hours
• Neptune's Brood by Charles Stross — finalist
• Parasite by Mira Grant — finalist
• Warbound by Larry Correia — finalist
• The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson — finalist

2013

• Redshirts by John Scalzi
• 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson — finalist
• Blackout by Mira Grant — finalist
• Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed — finalist

2012

• Among Others by Jo Walton
• A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin — finalist
• Deadline by Mira Grant — finalist
• Embassytown by China Miéville — finalist
• Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey — finalist

2011

• Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis
• Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• The Dervish House by Ian McDonald — finalist
• Feed by Mira Grant — finalist
• The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin — finalist

2010

• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi — difficulty 75/100, about 18 hours, joint winner
• The City & the City by China Miéville — difficulty 51/100, about 6.7 hours, joint winner
• Boneshaker by Cherie Priest — finalist
• Wake by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente — finalist
• Julian Comstock by Robert Charles Wilson — finalist

2009

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman — difficulty 60/100, about 5.5 hours
• Little Brother by Cory Doctorow — finalist
• Anathem by Neal Stephenson — finalist
• Saturn's Children by Charles Stross — finalist
• Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi — finalist

2008

• The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon — difficulty 46/100, about 7.5 hours
• The Last Colony by John Scalzi — finalist
• Halting State by Charles Stross — finalist
• Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• Brasyl by Ian McDonald — finalist

2007

• Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge
• Glasshouse by Charles Stross — finalist
• His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik — finalist
• Eifelheim by Michael F. Flynn — finalist
• Blindsight by Peter Watts — finalist

2006

• Spin by Robert Charles Wilson — difficulty 42/100, about 6.9 hours
• Learning the World by Ken MacLeod — finalist
• A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin — finalist
• Old Man's War by John Scalzi — finalist
• Accelerando by Charles Stross — finalist

2005

• Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke — difficulty 73/100, about 36 hours
• River of Gods by Ian McDonald — finalist
• The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks — finalist
• Iron Sunrise by Charles Stross — finalist
• Iron Council by China Miéville — finalist

2004

• Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Ilium by Dan Simmons — finalist
• Singularity Sky by Charles Stross — finalist
• Blind Lake by Robert Charles Wilson — finalist
• Humans by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist

2003

• Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer
• Kiln People by David Brin — finalist
• Bones of the Earth by Michael Swanwick — finalist
• The Scar by China Miéville — finalist
• The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson — finalist

2002

• American Gods by Neil Gaiman — difficulty 58/100, about 14 hours
• The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• Passage by Connie Willis — finalist
• Perdido Street Station by China Miéville — finalist
• The Chronoliths by Robert Charles Wilson — finalist
• Cosmonaut Keep by Ken MacLeod — finalist

2001

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling — difficulty 44/100, about 12 hours
• A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin — finalist
• Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• The Sky Road by Ken MacLeod — finalist
• Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson — finalist

2000

• A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge — difficulty 66/100, about 25 hours
• A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson — finalist
• Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear — finalist
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling — finalist

1999

• To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
• Children of God by Mary Doria Russell — finalist
• Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson — finalist
• Distraction by Bruce Sterling — finalist
• Factoring Humanity by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist

1998

• Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman
• City on Fire by Walter Jon Williams — finalist
• The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons — finalist
• Frameshift by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• Jack Faust by Michael Swanwick — finalist

1997

• Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon — finalist
• Starplex by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling — finalist

1996

• The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson — difficulty 58/100, about 14 hours
• The Time Ships by Stephen Baxter — finalist
• Brightness Reef by David Brin — finalist
• The Terminal Experiment by Robert J. Sawyer — finalist
• Remake by Connie Willis — finalist

1995

• Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Mother of Storms by John Barnes — finalist
• Beggars and Choosers by Nancy Kress — finalist
• Brittle Innings by Michael Bishop — finalist
• Towing Jehovah by James K. Morrow — finalist

1994

• Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Moving Mars by Greg Bear — finalist
• Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress — finalist
• Glory Season by David Brin — finalist
• Virtual Light by William Gibson — finalist

1993

• A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge — difficulty 36/100, about 12 hours, joint winner
• Doomsday Book by Connie Willis — joint winner
• Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson — finalist
• China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh — finalist
• Steel Beach by John Varley — finalist

1992

• Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Bone Dance by Emma Bull — finalist
• All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey — finalist
• The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge — finalist
• Xenocide by Orson Scott Card — finalist
• Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick — finalist

1991

• The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Earth by David Brin — finalist
• The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons — finalist
• The Quiet Pools by Michael P. Kube-McDowell — finalist
• Queen of Angels by Greg Bear — finalist

1990

• Hyperion by Dan Simmons — difficulty 60/100, about 14 hours
• A Fire in the Sun by George Alec Effinger — finalist
• Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card — finalist
• The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson — finalist
• Grass by Sheri S. Tepper — finalist

1989

• Cyteen by C. J. Cherryh
• Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card — finalist
• Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold — finalist
• Islands in the Net by Bruce Sterling — finalist
• Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson — finalist

1988

• The Uplift War by David Brin
• When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger — finalist
• Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card — finalist
• The Forge of God by Greg Bear — finalist
• The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe — finalist

1987

• Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card — difficulty 48/100, about 9.1 hours
• The Ragged Astronauts by Bob Shaw — finalist
• Count Zero by William Gibson — finalist
• Marooned in Realtime by Vernor Vinge — finalist
• Black Genesis by L. Ron Hubbard — finalist

1986

• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card — difficulty 65/100, about 9.9 hours
• Cuckoo's Egg by C. J. Cherryh — finalist
• The Postman by David Brin — finalist
• Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle — finalist
• Blood Music by Greg Bear — finalist

1985

• Neuromancer by William Gibson — difficulty 56/100, about 5.8 hours
• Emergence by David R. Palmer — finalist
• The Peace War by Vernor Vinge — finalist
• Job: A Comedy of Justice by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• The Integral Trees by Larry Niven — finalist

1984

• Startide Rising by David Brin — difficulty 58/100, about 11 hours
• Tea with the Black Dragon by R. A. MacAvoy — finalist
• Millennium by John Varley — finalist
• Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey — finalist
• The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov — finalist

1983

• Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov
• The Pride of Chanur by C. J. Cherryh — finalist
• 2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke — finalist
• Friday by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• Courtship Rite by Donald Kingsbury — finalist
• The Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe — finalist

1982

• Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
• The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe — finalist
• The Many-Colored Land by Julian May — finalist
• Project Pope by Clifford D. Simak — finalist
• Little, Big by John Crowley — finalist

1981

• The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge
• Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg — finalist
• The Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven — finalist
• Beyond the Blue Event Horizon by Frederik Pohl — finalist
• Wizard by John Varley — finalist

1980

• The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C. Clarke
• Titan by John Varley — finalist
• Jem by Frederik Pohl — finalist
• Harpist in the Wind by Patricia A. McKillip — finalist
• On Wings of Song by Thomas M. Disch — finalist

1979

• Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
• The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey — finalist
• The Faded Sun: Kesrith by C. J. Cherryh — finalist
• Blind Voices by Tom Reamy — finalist

1978

• Gateway by Frederik Pohl — difficulty 73/100, about 9.8 hours
• The Forbidden Tower by Marion Zimmer Bradley — finalist
• Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle — finalist
• Time Storm by Gordon R. Dickson — finalist
• Dying of the Light by George R. R. Martin — finalist

1977

• Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm
• Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman — finalist
• Children of Dune by Frank Herbert — finalist
• Man Plus by Frederik Pohl — finalist
• Shadrach in the Furnace by Robert Silverberg — finalist

1976

• The Forever War by Joe Haldeman — difficulty 58/100, about 6 hours
• Doorways in the Sand by Roger Zelazny — finalist
• Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle — finalist
• The Computer Connection by Alfred Bester — finalist
• The Stochastic Man by Robert Silverberg — finalist

1975

• The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin — difficulty 61/100, about 10 hours
• Fire Time by Poul Anderson — finalist
• Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick — finalist
• The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle — finalist
• Inverted World by Christopher Priest — finalist

1974

• Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke — difficulty 45/100, about 4.6 hours
• Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• Protector by Larry Niven — finalist
• The People of the Wind by Poul Anderson — finalist
• The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold — finalist

1973

• The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov — difficulty 72/100, about 9.9 hours
• When HARLIE Was One by David Gerrold — finalist
• There Will Be Time by Poul Anderson — finalist
• The Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg — finalist
• Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg — finalist
• A Choice of Gods by Clifford D. Simak — finalist

1972

• To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip José Farmer
• The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin — finalist
• Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey — finalist
• Jack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny — finalist
• A Time of Changes by Robert Silverberg — finalist

1971

• Ringworld by Larry Niven — difficulty 45/100, about 6.7 hours
• Tau Zero by Poul Anderson — finalist
• Tower of Glass by Robert Silverberg — finalist
• The Year of the Quiet Sun by Wilson Tucker — finalist
• Star Light by Hal Clement — finalist

1970

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin — difficulty 57/100, about 7.3 hours
• Up the Line by Robert Silverberg — finalist
• Macroscope by Piers Anthony — finalist
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut — finalist
• Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad — finalist

1969

• Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner — difficulty 57/100, about 14 hours
• Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin — finalist
• Nova by Samuel R. Delany — finalist
• Past Master by R. A. Lafferty — finalist
• The Goblin Reservation by Clifford D. Simak — finalist

1968

• Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny — difficulty 56/100, about 6.6 hours
• The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany — finalist
• Chthon by Piers Anthony — finalist
• The Butterfly Kid by Chester Anderson — finalist
• Thorns by Robert Silverberg — finalist

1967

• The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein — difficulty 48/100, about 7.8 hours
• Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany — finalist
• Too Many Magicians by Randall Garrett — finalist
• Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes — finalist
• The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz — finalist
• Day of the Minotaur by Thomas Burnett Swann — finalist

1966

• Dune by Frank Herbert — difficulty 60/100, about 17 hours, joint winner
• This Immortal by Roger Zelazny — joint winner
• The Squares of the City by John Brunner — finalist
• The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• Skylark DuQuesne by Edward E. Smith — finalist

1965

• The Wanderer by Fritz Leiber
• The Whole Man by John Brunner — finalist
• Davy by Edgar Pangborn — finalist
• The Planet Buyer by Cordwainer Smith — finalist

1964

• Way Station by Clifford D. Simak
• Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• Witch World by Andre Norton — finalist
• Dune World by Frank Herbert — finalist
• Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut — finalist

1963

• The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick — difficulty 72/100, about 9 hours
• The Sword of Aldones by Marion Zimmer Bradley — finalist
• A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke — finalist
• Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper — finalist
• Sylva by Jean Bruller, translated by Rita Barisse — finalist

1962

• Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein — difficulty 73/100, about 25 hours
• Dark Universe by Daniel F. Galouye — finalist
• Planet of the Damned by Harry Harrison — finalist
• Time Is the Simplest Thing by Clifford D. Simak — finalist
• Second Ending by James White — finalist

1961

• A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. — difficulty 70/100, about 14 hours
• The High Crusade by Poul Anderson — finalist
• Rogue Moon by Algis Budrys — finalist
• Deathworld by Harry Harrison — finalist
• Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon — finalist

1960

• Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein — difficulty 39/100, about 5.2 hours
• Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson — finalist
• The Pirates of Zan by Murray Leinster — finalist
• Brain Twister by Mark Phillips — finalist
• The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut — finalist

1959

• A Case of Conscience by James Blish
• The Enemy Stars by Poul Anderson — finalist
• Who? by Algis Budrys — finalist
• Have Space Suit — Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein — finalist
• Immortality, Inc. by Robert Sheckley — finalist

1958

• The Big Time by Fritz Leiber

1956

• Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
• Three to Conquer by Eric Frank Russell — finalist
• The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov — finalist
• Not This August by Cyril M. Kornbluth — finalist
• The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett — finalist

1955

• They'd Rather Be Right by Mark Clifton and Frank Riley

1953

• The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester — difficulty 70/100, about 6.9 hours

Questions

Who won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2026?

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow.

Which Hugo Award for Best Novel winner should I read first?

For the gentlest start, The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal: the easiest of the 43 winners on ReadingRate to read, with a difficulty of 23/100 and about 5.3 hours of reading. For the quickest, Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, about 3.5 hours.

Which Hugo Award for Best Novel winner is the hardest to read?

The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin, with a difficulty of 80/100; it takes about 18 hours.

Who has won the Hugo Award for Best Novel more than once?

Robert A. Heinlein (1956, 1960, 1962 and 1967), Fritz Leiber (1958 and 1965), Roger Zelazny (1966 and 1968), Ursula K. Le Guin (1970 and 1975), Isaac Asimov (1973 and 1983), Arthur C. Clarke (1974 and 1980), Joe Haldeman (1976 and 1998), C. J. Cherryh (1982 and 1989), David Brin (1984 and 1988), Orson Scott Card (1986 and 1987), Lois McMaster Bujold (1991, 1992, 1995 and 2004), Vernor Vinge (1993, 2000 and 2007), Connie Willis (1993, 1999 and 2011), Kim Stanley Robinson (1994 and 1997), Neil Gaiman (2002 and 2009), N. K. Jemisin (2016, 2017 and 2018) and Arkady Martine (2020 and 2022).

In which years was the Hugo Award for Best Novel not awarded?

1954 and 1957.

Winners from Wikipedia, checked 2026-10-31.