Read 200-400 page standalone novels. Don’t start off with series, as character development is usually a larger arc and there’s potential for a lot of characters.

Also really hone in on the genre you’re looking for in fiction, as well as the plot. Is romance your thing? Science? Swords and shit? I recently read the Martian and I loved it - way more science based than a fiction I’m used to, and no romance so pretty good for nonfiction readers.

If you're into it, the new Star Wars canon novels are very good!! There's some surrounding every movie, and around a lot of smaller characters. There's some geared towards YA readers that are really good, but have less subtext/complex plot. The audiobooks are also very well done.

Foundryside isn't technically a sci-fi, but like a steampun fantasy with a science-based "magic" system? It's a trilogy and very good so far.