Best Science Fiction Books
The best science fiction books of all time. Please only add books that are science fiction, not fantasy or horror.
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Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card   4.19 avg rating — 217,540 ratings
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Dune (Dune Chronicles, #1) by Frank Herbert   3.96 avg rating — 174,023 ratings
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide, #1) by Douglas Adams 4.06 avg rating — 293,292 ratings
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1984 by George Orwell 4.01 avg rating — 522,051 ratings
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Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 3.87 avg rating — 317,848 ratings
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A Wrinkle in Time (Time, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle 4.03 avg rating — 163,557 ratings
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Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 3.86 avg rating — 325,569 ratings
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Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov 3.83 avg rating — 88,454 ratings
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Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein 3.75 avg rating — 98,325 ratings
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The Giver (The Giver, #1) by Lois Lowry 4.11 avg rating — 264,191 ratings
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Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut 3.89 avg rating — 311,590 ratings
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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 3.97 avg rating — 39,423 ratings
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Neuromancer by William Gibson 3.66 avg rating — 74,104 ratings
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Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson 3.75 avg rating — 64,495 ratings
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I, Robot by Isaac Asimov 3.99 avg rating — 34,043 ratings
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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins 4.54 avg rating — 428,486 ratings
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Speaker for the Dead (Ender's Saga, #2) by Orson Scott Card 3.93 avg rating — 44,914 ratings
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The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury 3.99 avg rating — 32,949 ratings
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The Stand by Stephen King 4.26 avg rating — 94,102 ratings
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The Foundation Trilogy (Foundation, #1-3) by Isaac Asimov 4.25 avg rating — 9,572 ratings
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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 130,721 ratings
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Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton 3.67 avg rating — 235,408 ratings
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The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 3.69 avg rating — 44,086 ratings
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Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein 3.89 avg rating — 26,590 ratings
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Hyperion (Hyperion, #1) by Dan Simmons 4.15 avg rating — 17,424 ratings
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A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess 3.91 avg rating — 83,234 ratings
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The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin 3.94 avg rating — 15,341 ratings
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2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke 3.94 avg rating — 27,249 ratings
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Animal Farm by George Orwell 3.69 avg rating — 594,594 ratings
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The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells 3.65 avg rating — 31,647 ratings
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The Road by Cormac McCarthy 3.93 avg rating — 145,975 ratings
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Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut 4.16 avg rating — 67,255 ratings
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The Host (The Host, #1) by Stephenie Meyer 3.87 avg rating — 150,629 ratings
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A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. 3.92 avg rating — 13,466 ratings
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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide, #1-5) by Douglas Adams 4.33 avg rating — 43,195 ratings
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The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein 4.12 avg rating — 17,402 ratings
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Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes 3.86 avg rating — 73,147 ratings
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Ender's Shadow (Shadow, #1) by Orson Scott Card 4.18 avg rating — 33,633 ratings
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The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 404,317 ratings
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Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke 3.96 avg rating — 14,635 ratings
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Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke 3.92 avg rating — 16,225 ratings
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Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson 4.21 avg rating — 22,109 ratings
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Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne 3.67 avg rating — 27,193 ratings
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Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey 4.00 avg rating — 21,018 ratings
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Ringworld by Larry Niven 3.86 avg rating — 14,608 ratings
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The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson 4.15 avg rating — 17,645 ratings
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Contact by Carl Sagan 3.94 avg rating — 16,165 ratings
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I am Legend by Richard Matheson 3.86 avg rating — 32,480 ratings
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The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1) by Mary Doria Russell (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 13,195 ratings
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The Forever War by Joe Haldeman 4.08 avg rating — 13,186 ratings
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Uglies (Uglies, #1) by Scott Westerfeld 3.89 avg rating — 85,202 ratings
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The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams 4.13 avg rating — 41,392 ratings
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The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.12 avg rating — 9,552 ratings
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The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton 3.65 avg rating — 37,004 ratings
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The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick 3.82 avg rating — 13,617 ratings
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The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven 3.96 avg rating — 9,404 ratings
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Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, #3) by Frank Herbert 3.75 avg rating — 21,628 ratings
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The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester 4.17 avg rating — 5,609 ratings
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Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1) by John Scalzi (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 11,037 ratings
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Timeline by Michael Crichton 3.63 avg rating — 38,124 ratings
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Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne 3.67 avg rating — 20,904 ratings
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The Sirens of Titan (SF Masterworks, #18) by Kurt Vonnegut 4.09 avg rating — 21,370 ratings
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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 3.71 avg rating — 66,423 ratings
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Oryx and Crake (MaddAdam Trilogy, #1) by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 32,759 ratings
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Doomsday Book by Connie Willis 4.10 avg rating — 8,170 ratings
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Red Mars (Mars Trilogy, #1) by Kim Stanley Robinson 3.77 avg rating — 8,414 ratings
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A Fire Upon the Deep (Zones of Thought, #1) by Vernor Vinge 4.15 avg rating — 6,268 ratings
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The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham 3.92 avg rating — 10,154 ratings
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Ubik by Philip K. Dick 4.04 avg rating — 8,763 ratings
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To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis 4.14 avg rating — 7,178 ratings
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The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells 3.48 avg rating — 15,960 ratings
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Solaris by StanisÅ‚aw Lem 3.90 avg rating — 6,873 ratings
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Second Foundation (Foundation, #3) by Isaac Asimov 4.07 avg rating — 18,121 ratings
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God Emperor of Dune (Dune Chronicles, #4) by Frank Herbert 3.65 avg rating — 15,705 ratings
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Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis 3.99 avg rating — 2,336 ratings
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A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick 4.01 avg rating — 12,553 ratings
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Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott 3.76 avg rating — 9,089 ratings
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The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.02 avg rating — 6,596 ratings
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Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams 4.11 avg rating — 34,999 ratings
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The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury 4.05 avg rating — 13,704 ratings
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The Caves of Steel (Robot, #2) by Isaac Asimov 4.02 avg rating — 10,821 ratings
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Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga, #2) by Lois McMaster Bujold 4.24 avg rating — 3,781 ratings
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World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks 4.14 avg rating — 42,145 ratings
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Gateway by Frederik Pohl 4.00 avg rating — 4,900 ratings
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To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip José Farmer 3.86 avg rating — 4,738 ratings
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Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank 3.98 avg rating — 7,724 ratings
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Kindred by Octavia E. Butler 4.09 avg rating — 9,935 ratings
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Xenocide (Ender's Saga, #3) by Orson Scott Card 3.67 avg rating — 30,667 ratings
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Startide Rising by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 4,848 ratings
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The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe 3.87 avg rating — 2,315 ratings
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The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, #1) by James Patterson (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 41,003 ratings
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The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion, #2) by Dan Simmons 4.11 avg rating — 9,898 ratings
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Lilith's Brood (Xenogenesis, Books 1-3) by Octavia E. Butler 4.22 avg rating — 2,362 ratings
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Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles, #2) by Frank Herbert 3.72 avg rating — 23,191 ratings
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Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan 4.09 avg rating — 7,853 ratings
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Blindness by José Saramago 3.95 avg rating — 36,489 ratings
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The Player of Games (Culture, #2) by Iain M. Banks 4.13 avg rating — 5,991 ratings
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Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick 3.92 avg rating — 5,422 ratings
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Grass by Sheri S. Tepper 4.02 avg rating — 2,174 ratings
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Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut 3.82 avg rating — 19,131 ratings
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Lists are re-scored approximately every 500 seconds.
Comments (showing 1-50 of 194) (194 new)
A nice list that I'd definitely refer back to if I was looking for a good SF read. There was only one book on the list that I've read but didn't think was wonderful. If I'd made the list, it would also include more YA and children's stuff (besides just WRINKLE IN TIME, which is a definite classic), so maybe I should just make one of my own, or add some more to this one. There are some great YA SF's coming out this year (HUNGER GAMES and LITTLE BROTHER, just to name two). Another recent book that I've loved, which is adult SF, is WARCHILD by Lowachee.
yay for a wrinkle in time! XD i just finished reading it for the sixth time.if maximum ride was on this list i would vote for that too!!! XD
I really must protest the George R. R. Martin being on this list. It is not science fiction, it is fantasy.Also I'm borderline on the American Gods, but I really feel it is more urban fantasy than sci-fi.
But then, I'm a purist who is oft irritated by the mixing of the two on bookstore shelves in the first place.
Technically, this list should be titled "Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books" because of the number of fantasy titles on the list.
"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman does not deserve to be on this or any list of the best anything. I read it, and if I could vote for worst book ever written, from this selection, He would have my vote! He's a smug, arrogant, pedantic asswipe.I've had to read him for coursework, and resented every minute he wasted in my life.
True! I found his work hard to get through and gave up. although it had some nice imagery nothing fit together.
I must be the only person on Earth who can't stand Ender's Game.Of course, I find Card personally obnoxious and to me his personality oozes through all his books.
I really tried to just vote for what was really Science Fiction and NOT Fantasy, even though I like a lot of books that blur the line I have in my mind!
this list is really bad. in the top 100, there are way too many books that don't even have a scientific bent. most are social fiction and some are fantasy.
Davor, which ones do you think aren't science fiction, specifically? At a quick read, I don't see anything I'd throw off here without a qualm (except perhaps the fantasy books, and I don't really feel comfortable making that call). I'm happy to delete books that legitimately don't belong on the list, but you'll have to give me pointers.
Patrick, you are definitely not the only one in the world. I loathe that book. Loathe. (And as you suggest, Orson Scott Card is also a miserable prick who would do the world a favor by dropping off it, but that's a separate issue.)
Much as I love Hitchhikers, it seems like a sad statement that the second greatest SF book of all time is a parody of the genre.
I can't seem to find neither Solaris by Lem, nor More than Human by Sturgeon, two wonderfully written science fiction novels...And I agree with that there are a lot of books here that actually should be in a fantasy list.
Hmmm... new to Goodreads, but not to the genre. I'm intrigued by commentary about Card. I've never heard much about him personally. I'd be interested in discussion as to whether Ender's Game is a "guys" book. Most of the folks I know (including myself and my 14 year old son) who liked it are guys. Any women who enjoyed it? It certainly plays to the insecurities of adolescent boys. I'm sure it wouldn't be my number one, but haven't decided what is...
Way too much fantasy on this list. It's easy to pick out. Is there a separate list? I only voted for sci-fi books even though some of the fantasy listed is my favorite (Perdido Street Station and Fionavar).
Didn't like -Ender's Game- all that much but I have been enjoying the sequels a lot.
I've seen Card at cons but never met him (sounds like I'm not missing out on much).
I agree - too much fantasy. Specifically, The Last Unicorn and Dragonflight. I guess that's only two books, really.
Is there a difference between sci-fi and fantasy? What is the difference? And why are they always lumped together?
There are so many books on this list that I'm ashamed of myself for not having read and so many books that should be on here; and so many that should NOT be on here. How is a Resident Evil novel even in the top 500?
I agree with some that have said there is too much Fantasy on this list. The title says Best SCIENCE FICTION. It doesn't mention Fantasy or Horror (which are listed too).I realize a lot of people don't know the difference between Fantasy and Sci-Fi, but it is pretty easy to find out these days. But it's probably not as important to some. To me it's just calling a truck a car. It just ain't right! <grin>
That being said, I think about every book on this list is a good book and well worth reading. It shows how varied the genres are and how much really good reading material there is.
Many people have mentioned they don't know the difference between science fiction and fantasy. There really is a difference. I have found that the definitions used on WIKI.com are pretty good and have a ton of information. Here are brief definitions of each with links to each page.Definition of Science Fiction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fic...
Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and capitalization) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations based on current or future science or technology. Science fiction is found in books, art, television, films, games, theatre, and other media. In organizational or marketing contexts, science fiction can be synonymous with the broader definition of speculative fiction, encompassing creative works incorporating imaginative elements not found in contemporary reality; this includes fantasy, horror, and related genres.[1]
Science fiction differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".[2]Science fiction is largely based on writing entertainingly and rationally about alternate possibilities[3] in settings that are contrary to known reality.
These may include:
* A setting in the future, in alternative time lines, or in a historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archeological record
* A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens[4]
* Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of nature[5]
* Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time travel or psionics, or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel or robots, or of new and different political or social systems[6
Definition of Fantasy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of technological and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (collectively known as speculative fiction).
In its broadest sense, fantasy comprises works by many writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians, from ancient myths and legends to many recent works embraced by a wide audience today.
I'm pretty sure that at least half the books on this list are not really science fiction. For example Dracula. Can we say most famous HORROR of all time?
I am glad to see this list because I find it difficult to get good scifi/fantasy recommendations from mainstream sources. I find it hard to evaluate what I will like in advance. Love G R R Martin and Philip K Dick, thought Dune was really stupid.
Someone asked about females that like Ender's Game. I am female and that is one of my favorite books. My husband also loves it. Interesting enough, I actually am not a big Sci-Fi reader.
I also think it is interesting that several of these books are considered great works of ficiton. (I think anything by Heinlen would fall under that category.)
In response to the commentary about Card, I haven't met him but have been recently disturbed by comments he has made in interviews and on his website. The thing to remember is that he is part of the Latter-Day saints and much of what he says sounds like it is coming straight from the church's official rhetoric. That aside-I still think Ender's Game is a great work of fiction.
Also, on the discussion of sci-fi as opposed to Fantasy. One example of a questionable books is Martian Chronicles. I remember in high school English we had a lengthy discussion on whether this would be a Sci-Fi or Fantasy book or both or neither.
You haven't read Fe Fi FOE Comes or you'd be voting for it.
elissa wrote: "A nice list that I'd definitely refer back to if I was looking for a good SF read. There was only one book on the list that I've read but didn't think was wonderful. If I'd made the list, it woul..."
Antoine wrote: "Much as I love Hitchhikers, it seems like a sad statement that the second greatest SF book of all time is a parody of the genre."Hitchhikers was more a parody on the state of physics and cosmology (along with satirical swipes daily life) at the time it was written than it was a parody of the genre of science fiction.
Dana wrote: "I'd be interested in discussion as to whether Ender's Game is a "guys" book. Most of the folks I know (including myself and my 14 year old son) who liked it are guys. Any women who enjoyed it?"Yes, Ender's Game appeals to women too. I'm proof.
And I'm also a little bothered by the genre mixing. I only voted for SF titles here even though there's one or two fantasy I loved, and several fantasy that I felt less strongly about. I hate when people give me a book about spaceships because "she'll love it" even though I'm mostly into magic/legends.
The only thing sci-fi about Dragonflight is that the dragon riders are decended from some hi-tech people who came to colonize the planet.
Jeff wrote: "I really tried to just vote for what was really Science Fiction and NOT Fantasy, even though I like a lot of books that blur the line I have in my mind!"
I think the line is "it's fantasy if there is magic involved".
Zen wrote: "So, according to Brett's definitions, "Dragonflight" is Sci-fi. Thanks for clearing that up."
Sure, no magic, genetically engineered animals, Intergalactic travel and colonization, sounds sci-fi to me.
While there are probably lists on Goodreads that are designed to include both SF and fantasy, this one is intended only for science fiction, and the guideline at the top explicitly asks people not to add fantasy or horror books to it. Several people on this thread have complained that this guideline hasn't been followed, and I think they have a legitimate point.
Both list moderators and Goodreads librarians (I happen to be one of the latter) have the authority to delete books from lists if they were clearly added improperly. So, just now I stuck my neck out and deleted 14 books from the list. There may well be others that should be deleted, but I only removed those I was sufficiently familiar with to know are clearly outside the guideline (there are two more I have grave doubts about, but I want to check on them with a Goodreads friend who's actually read them before I do anything drastic.) I deleted very cautiously and conservatively, bending over backward to respect other people's judgment in doubtful cases
--especially since we're threatened with dire penalties if we delete improperly. :-) But I hope that what I did do makes for some improvement, and helps keep the list's focus on target.
This is the best list I found is a great reference.I read/Want to read About all them.
Made meh want to read Childhood's End
I did not want to at first Cuz after reading all 4 book of David Bowmen I did not want to read any more of Mr.Clarke's books. <.< But I did lolage?
o.0
Jeremy wrote: "Is there a difference between sci-fi and fantasy? What is the difference? And why are they always lumped together?"
Yes. A big difference.
To be blunt,
Fantasy= pure impossible imagination
Science Fiction= Probably not possible by current means, but is hoped to be possible in the future: whether that be near or far.
They are usually lumped together because they are both considered merely imagination. SF/F are often not considered literature by the general public. But those people don't know what they're talking about. :P
I always assume, when I read a list such as this, that people are rating the books on some sort of internal scale based on their own opinions of these and other books they have read, their life experience in general, and who they are. That's how I rate books on the lists. It's not an objective (if that were possible) evaluation of "the best [genre x:] books ever." It's a guide to those who enjoy [genre x:] books about books they may want to consider reading. Yes? So WTH cares if a given book on the list is genre x or genre y? Unless your purpose in commenting is to amaze us all with your brilliant analysis/personal prejudice... in which case, nevermind.
If this is addressed toward me: I don't care in the least. I was merely helping jeremy with his question.
Dana wrote: "Hmmm... new to Goodreads, but not to the genre. I'm intrigued by commentary about Card. I've never heard much about him personally. I'd be interested in discussion as to whether Ender's Game is ..."i thought the book was interesting, defiantly well written. You could say i liked it but don't be too sure, It was violent but then the plot and characters were very well woven into the story.
Tanstaafl wrote: "Jeremy wrote: "Is there a difference between sci-fi and fantasy? What is the difference? And why are they always lumped together?"Yes. A big difference.
To be blunt,
Fantasy= pure imposs..."
I always thought of Fantasy as Magic and things realated to magic. I do agree though usually Fantasy is linked with 'never happened never going to happen"
Sci-Fi I think is more sciend and outer space type things- like star wars or star Trek.
Well it actually depends on each persons personal thoughts of the genre. Many argue that Star Trek and Star Wars, though they have scientific elements, are fantasy since things such as the force are not real and undoubtedly ever can be. The term for those types of movies/books would be Science Fantasy.However, I don't really care about the difference. I read or watch what I like, and don't mind the genre, Science Fiction or Fantasy.
well then they should change the name of this list to: The Best Science Fantasy Books then every one would stop arguing about it.
The controversy about ScFi is moot. I don't care that much. I do wonder how you classify a book such as 'The Terror'. It has the feel of science fiction at its best but is ostensibly a whatif historical novel. Although couldn't you say the same about 'Man in the High Castle'. In any case, 'The Terror' is without doubt Simmonds' best book, and if the idea is to get people appreciating the best then push it!
I'm fairly sure The Terror would be classified as historical fantasy. The creature, is, as far as I know, not scientific, so it would be fantasy.A lot of people put alternate history with science fiction, but I disagree with that as well, if itwere to matter.
Michael Chabon's ,The Yiddish Policemen's Union won the Hugo. And while a great book on its own, it definitely can not be classified as science fiction. Yet, it was just because it's alternate history... kinda.
Tanstaafl wrote: "I'm fairly sure The Terror would be classified as historical fantasy. The creature, is, as far as I know, not scientific, so it would be fantasy.A lot of people put alternate history with science..."
So where would you put 'Man in the High Castle'? Got to have the same rules applied. And then you've got 'Through a Scanner Darkly', A psychological exploration of Tim O'Leary consequences? I don't think so. If it looks like Sci Fi, smells like Sci Fi, and 3even tastes like Sci Fi - it probably shouldn't be consigned to a shit category.
And on the subject of the creatures. There are many creatures in Sci Fi that aren't scientific. That's because they are creatures.
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