What are the Best Science Fiction Books?

What are the Best Science Fiction Books?  Ask ten people and you will get ten different answers (why some people will include fantasy titles like the Hobbit – silly people).  The subjective question of what is “best” depends if you interpret “best” as most important, influential, popular or award winning and so on.  I will attempt to add my take on this and try to break down some of the genres such as space opera, military SF, hard SF and so on.

Lets start with a list of some of the warhorses (or classics) of science fiction that might be in a list of the Best Science Fiction Books.  In no particular order (and without much advance thought) here they are the first twenty that come to mind:

 

  • Farenheit 451
  • A Canitcle for Leibowitz
  • The Left Hand of Darkness
  • Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition (Dune Chronicles, Book 1)
  • Childhood’s End
  • Foundation
  • 1984
  • Ender’s Game
  • Ringworld
  • Neuromancer
  • Slaughter House Five
  • Handmaidens Tale
  • Brave New World
  • Starship Troopers
  • Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
  • Rendevous with Rama
  • Earth Abides
  • The Hobbit (just kidding = cause it is NOT Science Fiction)

Now that is after about a minute of thought and already I have my doubts about a few and have thought of a number of other great science fiction books to include (no Jules Verne off the top of my head!).  I would probably need a list of about 150 in order to really cover the best of science fiction.

I will stay away from fantasy titles and some graphic novels.  My biggest pet peeve when talking about the Best Science Fiction Books is that people do not always distinguish between sci-fi and fantasy.  I do thin science fiction is a step up from fantasy in terms of the authors that write sci-fi and in the ideas to be explored.  A just think  the best science fiction books are a superior art form.

If you are into graphic novels send in your favorites as I am just not that familiar with them.

If you like lists you should enjoy the sight and please join the debate.

If you have your own thoughts please comment or feel free to send in your own posts for publishing here.