Best Science Fiction Books

The Top Ten
1 Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)

My favorite book. I stumbled across it randomly at a sleep-away camp in the summer between 7th and 8th grade. There's something special about randomly finding an amazing book that nobody recommended you. Two nights later I had finished my favorite all time book. The original line of sequels were also pretty good. Unfortunately, the modern "Shadow" sequels were terrible.

This novel is extremely popular among boys (mostly) and a few girls who discovered it at about age 11. It's age appropriate for them, and a rollicking story, but hardly great literature. I'm always embarrassed to see it on "best SF" lists.

One of the greatest stories of empathy, stories in science fiction, and one of the best novels ever.

2 Dune (Frank Herbert)

The "Lord of the Rings" of science-fiction.

Dune is waay better than the other books in front of it. Dune should be #1

3 Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

Ray Bradbury is a genius. The setting is in the 25th century, and the concept it marvelously expressed.

I think its one the greatest Sci-fi books ever written.

4 1984 (George Orwell)

I had to choose between 2001, childhood's end, the hitchhikers... but 1984 literally was one of the most thought provoking books I've ever read.

5 Foundation (Isaac Asimov)
6 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick,)
7 Neuromancer (William Gibson)

I haven't read it. I picked this for my father (it's his favorite).

8 The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (Robert A. Heinlein)

Libertarian wet dream. Implausible and silly. Heinlein's best work was behind him.

9 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
10 Hyperion (Dan Simmons)

One of my top 10 books. The Shrike is forever an exciting enigma, the characters are superb and the different settings in which they are are so immersive to the reader (me). In certain aspects it is my number one book. Vernor Vinge is up there but does not have this dark undertone like this one has.

So complex and rich. Amazingly well written. A jewel that deserves to stand apart along with the big ones.

The first book blows your mind!

The Contenders
11 The Time Machine (H. G. Wells)

The earliest science fiction written. The term 'Time Machine' was coined by H.G. wells in this book. Amazing!

12 Starship Troopers (Robert A. Heinlein)
13 I Am Legend (Richard Matheson)
14 Jurassic Park (Michael Crichton)

Although not one for children or the faint of heart, Jurassic Park is a masterpiece, which deserves to have the number one spot on this list. It is enthralling, thrilling and exciting, and one of the most well-written books ever! It has believable characters, an exciting plot, and of course, dinosaurs!

15 Doomsday Book (Connie Willis)
16 I, Robot (Isaac Asimov)
17 Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne)
18 Stranger in a Strange Land (Robert A. Heinlein)

Vastly overrated. Dated and silly in countless ways. Plus it seems to be the first appearance of that regrettable character (in this case Jubal Harshaw) that showed up in nearly every Heinlein novel going forward, who was there mostly to spout Heinlein's own quixotic views of this and that.

19 Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)

This book made me think more than any other science fiction book

20 The Stand (Stephen King)
21 Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clarke)

Brilliant, read the sequels as well, forget the reviews, there great.

22 The War of the Worlds (H. G. Wells)

The foresight in this book is chilling. HG Welles practically predicted modern warfare with this novel, and the ending (despite heavy criticism from some) is absolutely fantastic. It really makes you think about our place on this world.

23 Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
24 Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)

Very good. I read it in the summer between my 7th and 8th grades (I read lots of Sci-Fi then). Among my top 3 Sci-Fi I've read.

I could see this scenario actually happening in the future!

So good. Such a good movie and book.

25 Journey to the Center of the Earth (Jules Verne)
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