Hole in the Sky: A Novel
Indigenous knowledge meets science fiction in this creative page-turning thriller by New York Times bestselling author Daniel H. Wilson.
In May and June 2026, the Science Friday Book Club will read “Hole in the Sky” by Daniel H. Wilson. “First contact imminent.” Thrilling from the start, “Hole in the Sky” takes readers on a science fiction adventure set in the heart of the Cherokee Nation. It’s up to an unlikely crew–a single dad, an astrophysicist, and a threat forecaster for the military–to decode a cryptic message and prepare for an unidentified object heading directly for Earth. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events.
This Book Club season kicks off on Thursday, May 1, and you can read along with us! Discussion questions are shared on Monday of each week in the community group and via the newsletter. Plus, we’ll be hosting exciting, free events!
- May 1-3: “An Open Letter”
- May 8: EVENT—First Listen Kick Off, 4 pm ET
- May 4–10: Part I, Chapters 1-5: “Detection,” “My Girl,” “Flagged for Profanity,” “Emerging Weapons,” “Homecoming”
- May 11–17: Part I, Chapters 6-8: “Always On,” “Economy Class,” “The Cosmos Speaks”; Part II, Chapters 9-11: “Monitor,” “Down on the River,” “Mission Control”
- May 18–24: Part II, Chapters 12-16 “GTFO,” “Destination,” “Shelter in Place,” “Rendezvous,” “Wrong Direction”; Part III, Chapter 17: “Evacuate”
- May 29: EVENT—Ask the Author with Daniel H. Wilson, 4 pm ET
- May 25–31: Part III, Chapters 18-23: “All My Relatives,” “Hole in the Sky,” “Observation,” “Zero Visibility,” “Clarity,” “The Future, Today”
- June 1–7: Part III, Chapter 24: “Farmhouse”; Part IV, Chapters 29-32: “Eliminate Threat,” “All Is One,” “Up and at ‘Em,” “The Traveler”
- June 8–14: Part IV, Chapters 29-32: “I Am Myself,” “Get Down,” “Descent,” “Awaken”; Part V, Chapter 33: “Pray”
- June 15–21: Part V, Chapters 34-29: “Fated,” “Eyes Open,” “Topology of Truth,” “Horizons,” “Dreaming,” “Face of God”
- June 25: EVENT—Book Club Community Meeting, 8 pm ET
- June 22–28: “A Private Letter”
Get updates, reminders, and more to you email inbox each week. Join our Book Club newsletter today!
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
If they don’t have the book in stock or you’d rather purchase online, you can support Science Friday by buying your copy on our Bookshop.org page.
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have “Hole in the Sky” in its catalog, but many branches offer options for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby app on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch!
Save The Date(s): SciFri Book Club Events
Science Friday First Listen
Science Friday kicks off our reading of “Hole in the Sky” with an interview featuring author Daniel H. Wilson. Now it’s your turn to weigh in! Join fellow book club members for a livestream in our free Mighty Networks Group where we’ll dig into the interview, share first impressions, and get excited about what’s ahead. Come ready to geek out!
- When: Friday, May 8 at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT
- Where: Book Club Community Group
- Tickets: Free! RSVP for reminders
You can listen to the interview for free on our podcast or radio show!
Please note that this is the working schedule, but of course, the news could change our plans.
Ask the Author with Daniel H. Wilson
New York Times bestselling author Daniel H. Wilson is a Cherokee citizen and robotics engineer whose science fiction blends technological topics such as AI with deeply personal themes. Join us for a livestream Q&A where we talk about the book’s themes and more. Come with your curiosity—we’ll be taking your questions in the chat.
- When: Friday, May 29 at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT
- Where: Science Friday’s YouTube channel
- Tickets: Free! RSVP for reminders
You do not have to read the book to participate. Everyone is welcome!
Book Club Community Meeting
Want to connect with other SciFri Book Club members, share your thoughts about the book, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you! While the conversation will focus on themes and topics from the book, you’re welcome to join us, no matter your reading progress. Come and chat!
- When: Thursday, June 25 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT
- Where: Science Friday’s Zoom
- Tickets: Free! RSVP for link
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!