We are always looking for great sci-fi books to read. With so many good books already written, it can be hard to choose which books to read. That is why made this list of sci-fi books that you must read once in your life. Keep reading to find out which books made the list!
Many of the books that made our list are heralded as classics or come very close to it. These novels have come to define the genre and have inspired hundreds of authors and you can see the influence in recent novels. You can see the full list below.
Seven Sci-Fi Books That You Must Read
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
Ender’s Game

A personal favorite of mine on this list is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. It is a brilliant novel that has an unexpected plot twist. The writing is precise and the tension is palpable. Card includes some interesting themes, making this book one of a kind.
The Handmaid’s Tale
One of the most popular sci-fi novels ever written is The Handmaid’s Tale. Some people may have read it in school while others read it for fun but either way, it is an impactful novel. Atwood imagines a world where women are assigned to produce children for a ruling class.
1984

A sci-fi novel that has risen to popularity in modern times is 1984. When some ideas in this sci-fi and dystopian novel came true, people’s interest in the novel rose. The novel touches on issues such as mass surveillance, a controlling regime, and disinformation.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a classic that is a must read no matter what your favorite genre is. It is a sci-fi novel that is also thought provoking. The novel is considered the first sci-fi novel and holds up well centuries later.
Hyperion
A sci-fi novel that you will get immersed in is Hyperion by Dan Simmons. It follows a group of people who travel to Hyperion, and the travelers share their stories of how they were chosen for the pilgrimage. The writing, storytelling, and world building make this one of the best sci-fi books out there.
Fahrenheit 451
A classic novel that is taught in schools and worth reading is Fahrenheit 451. It is a dystopian novel that imagines a world where books are outlawed and burned. Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books but ends up questioning the system in place and rebels.
Strangers in a Strange Land

A novel that isn’t as popular as the other books on this list is Stranger in a Strange Land. The story is about a human who grew up among an alien race and returns back to Earth. The government wants to study him but things go awry as he escapes. There are a lot of issues that the novel tackles and questions what it means to be humans.
Conclusion
That is all for this list of the seven best sci-fi books that you must read once in your life. How many of these novels have you read? What other sci-fi books should have made our list? Let us know in the comments below!