Some of my favorite books of all time are science fiction books They can transport you to different world, introduce new technology and ideas with ease. That is why we decided to list the 40 best science fiction books of all time. Keep reading for our list of the 30 best science fiction books that you must read!
There are many amazing science fiction books to read. But getting to all of them will take a long time. This list focuses on some of the best forks of sci-fi novels.
Not every great sci-fi novels are going to make the list. Hopefully, the books on this list encourage you to dive deep into the genre, You can spend months reading books by Isaac Asimov alone. You can see the full list below!
The 40 Best Science Fiction Books That You Must Read
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
- Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
- Foundation by Isaac Asimov
- The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
- The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide by Douglas Adams
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Ringworld by Larry Niven
- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
- Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
- The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
- Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
- The Children of Men by PD James
- Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
- The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
- 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
- The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
- The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
- Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
- Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
- Kindred by Octavia Butler
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- The Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish
- The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
- The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
- A Scanner Darkly by Philip K Dick
- Neuromancer by William Gibson
- Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
- Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
- Under The Skin by Michel Faber
- Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
- The Martian by Andy Weir
Science Fiction Books Worth Reading
One of my personal favorites on this list is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. It is a brilliant novel that has an expected plot twist. The writing is precise and the tension is palpable. Another favorite of mine is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. The novel makes you think and ask questions that are hard to answer.
A newer nowel that made the list is Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. It is a novel that you will think about long after you have finished reading it. Mandel has become one of my favorite authors over the years and this book showcases her amazing talents.
If you like horror novels, then there are also some books here for you. Frankenstein is a classic that is a must read. But it is one of many sci-fi genres that combine elements from both. A deep dive will lead you in a tunnel that may keep you up at night.
Even if you aren’t an avid book reader, there is a good chance you read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It is taught in most schools across the United States. The brilliant dystopian novel tackles heavy themes which has made it one of the most censored books in the world.
Conclusion
That is the end of this list of the 40 best science fiction books that you must read. How many of these novels have you read? What novels would you have included on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
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Not having Project Hail Mary here is an absolute travesty
Here we go again with the Western and male-centric lists.
I miss the day of the trifids by John windham, chai by jack vance and most of all, my favourite distopian novel this perfect day by ira Levin.
I’m glad to see the male centric books seriously! The “strong female character” stereotype has taken over modern literature (and movies/ tv/ comics) to the point where you can’t even pick up a book without a plucky super special ultra magical girl being the main character. And usually she’s got two hot guys lusting after her, even though she has no discernable personality besides “boss girl” Especially YA and fantasy. I’m a woman myself and I’m freaking tired of it. Bring on the male centric books for a change.
The list is ridicolous. At least 50% of the mentioned books are very bad. Where are Solaris, A mirror for observers, City, Dreaming jewels, Dream master, A slauterhouse five, The book of the new sun and others?
Sadly Starship Troopers and Battlefield Earth are not included.
Not a bad list, though my personal list would include something from John Wyndham, 3 body problem and something from Iain M. Banks.
Stranger in a Strange land by Robert Heinlein
I would add “The Lathe of Heaven”, by Ursula K. Leguin. 🙂
How about rendezvous with Rama by Arthur c Clarke.
If your only going to put one Michael Chrichton book on a sf list in my opinion it should be “The Andromeda Strain. Also haven’t seen any Alan Dean Foster on these sf lists. It has some Fantasy and Horror but I would put his “To The Vanishing Point” on this list. I just thought of “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes. You could have a thousand slots and there would worthy books left out.
I guess your list works for you but many of them aren’t Sci-fi, and you’ve left off the Expanse series and Project Hail Mary which is an absolute travesty.
This is a great “ not obvious” list for fans looking for something they may have missed. I think Hugh Howey deserves a spot as well for modem sci fi writers.
Poor list. Murakami is not sf. Solaris and 3 body problem are missing. Pretty boring mainstream list without deep knowledge
Another books promotion by Ahaqir…Boring…
Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, by far is the scariest, and most intense SciFi novel thus far that I’ve read.