13 Sci-Fi Books Everyone Should Read (Timeless Classics & Modern Must-Reads)

The best way to travel to another world or planet is by reading s sci-fi novel. With so many classics out there, choosing one to read isn’t always easy. That is why we decided to create a list of the 13 sci-fi books that everyone should read once in their lives. Keep reading to find out which books made our list!

There isn’t another genre like science fiction. Even though it is often times mentioned together with fantasy novels, it is too unique to be combined together. They share a few elements but just within a few pages, you can tell which one is which.

Our fascination with sci-fi is everlasting, from Frankenstein being the first sci-fi novel to be written to modern novels pushing the genre forward. As our understanding of the universe has grown, new ideas and fears have made an appearance in recent literature.

But some ideas like time travel and meeting new life forms will stay around for a long time. These novels cover popular themes that we always seem to gravitate to. You can see the full list below!

13 Sci-Fi Books that Everyone Should Read

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle  
• The Time Machine by H. G. Wells  
• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
• Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley  
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick  
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
• Hyperion by Dan Simmons
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Dune by Frank Herbert  
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley  

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One of my all-time favorite novels and series has to be The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The writing is brilliant and the humor is timeless. The fate of planet Earth is at stake yet Adams has the reader laughing throughout the book. This novel changed the way I saw sci-fi novels and became a lifelong fan of sci-fi novels.

This comedic sci-fi classic follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary man who is whisked away into space just before Earth is destroyed. Alongside his eccentric friend Ford Prefect, Arthur travels the galaxy encountering bizarre aliens, absurd situations, and the all-important guidebook. Adams blends humor with science fiction to create a wildly entertaining and satirical adventure.

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

The concept of time travel by a vehicle moving forward or purposely travel forward or backward in time was first introduced in The Time Machine by H. G. Wells. This was Wells first novel and it has become memorable for its invention of time travel, a term Wells is credited as creating. While this novel does leave a lot to be desired, its influence on the science fiction genre cannot be ignored.

This groundbreaking novel follows an unnamed Time Traveller who journeys far into the future, discovering a world divided between the peaceful Eloi and the sinister Morlocks. Through his travels, Wells explores themes of class division, evolution, and the fate of humanity. It remains one of the earliest and most influential works of science fiction.

Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke

Anyone who is a fan of sci-fi novels needs to read books by Arthur C. Clarke. His works capture the fun sci-fi tropes with unexpected twists. And on top of the books by Clarke that you need to read is Childhood’s End.

When mysterious alien overlords arrive on Earth, they bring peace and prosperity, ending war and suffering. However, their presence leads to unexpected consequences for humanity’s future. Clarke crafts a thought-provoking story about evolution, control, and what it truly means to be human.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley  

A classic sci-fi novel that all fans need to read is Brave New World. It is an older sci-fi novel that is also a dytopian novel that has inspired so many authors in this genre.

Set in a dystopian future, society is controlled through genetic engineering, conditioning, and pleasure. Individuals are stripped of freedom and individuality in exchange for stability. Huxley’s novel is a powerful critique of consumerism, control, and the cost of a “perfect” society.

1984 by George Orwell

One of the most popular sci-fi novels ever written, 1984 is a novel that is in a category of its own. Not only is it a fantastic novel and a dystopian novel that predicted mass surviellence, it is also a novel that has stayed relevant since publication decades ago.

This iconic dystopian novel follows Winston Smith, a man living under a totalitarian regime that controls every aspect of life. Surveillance, propaganda, and thought control dominate society. Orwell’s chilling vision of the future continues to resonate as a warning about power and oppression.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick  

When I first started reading sci-fi novels, I was trying to find ones that resonated with me. And one novel that stood out the most was Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It is a novel unlike any other and yet feels like it could have been written a couple of years ago, making it feel timeless.

In a post-apocalyptic world, bounty hunter Rick Deckard is tasked with hunting down rogue androids who are nearly indistinguishable from humans. As he carries out his mission, he begins to question what it truly means to be human. The novel explores identity, empathy, and artificial intelligence.

Station Eleven

Emily St. John Mendel’s novel Station Eleven is one of the best dystopian novels ever written. It is about a band of actors and musicians who travel around the Great Lake region in a post-apocalyptic word. But the band runs into trouble when they encounter a self-proclaimed ‘Prophet’ who uses violence to get whatever he desires.

This novel follows multiple characters before and after a devastating pandemic that collapses civilization. Through interconnected stories, it explores survival, art, and human connection in a fractured world. It’s a haunting yet hopeful look at life after catastrophe.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

When talking about must read sci-fi novels, then Frankenstein is a must. Not only because it is the first but because it is a great novel. Even two centuries later, readers still flock to this novel as Mary Shelley makes us wonder who is right; Frankenstein or his monster? And yes, the monster’s name is not Frankenstein but the doctor’s.

Victor Frankenstein creates a living being through scientific experimentation, only to reject it out of fear. The creature, left alone and misunderstood, seeks revenge. Shelley’s novel explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of playing god.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

A sci-fi novel that you will get immersed in is Hyperion. The writing, storytelling, and world building make this one of the best sci-fi books out there. I would say this is my favorite sci-fi novel and it is an adventure novel that no author author could replicate.

Set in a richly imagined future, seven pilgrims journey to the distant world of Hyperion, each sharing their story along the way. Their tales are interconnected and revolve around the mysterious Shrike, a powerful and terrifying entity. The novel blends science fiction with deep character-driven storytelling.

Conclusion

These are the 13 sci-fi books that everyone should read once in their lives. This list includes some of the most popular sci-fi novels written. And yes, a few novels and authors didn’t make the cut unfortunately. There are so many incredible novels in the genre that are all worh checking out.

How many of these novels have you read or plan to read? What other sci-fi novels are must reads in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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