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The 100 Most Popular Sci-Fi Books on Goodreads
Dystopias, alien invasions, regenerated dinosaurs, space operas, multiverses, and more, the realm of science fiction takes readers out of this world to tackle all-too-real issues, including oppression, bigotry, censorship, and the horrors of war. To celebrate the most inventive of genres, we’re exploring readers’ 100 most popular science fiction novels of all time on Goodreads.
As all good sci-fi readers know, the science behind the story is half the fun. To create our list, we ran the data to reveal the most reviewed books on our site. Additionally, each title needed at least a 3.5-star rating from your fellow readers to join this list. And, since science fiction is known for its continuing voyages, in the case of multiple titles from the same series, we chose the one with the most reviews.
Here are the top science fiction novels on Goodreads, listed from 1 to 100. We hope you discover a book or two you’ll want to read in this lineup, whether it’s a classic of the genre or one of the newer entries to sci-fi.
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How many of these books have you read? What’s your favorite sci-fi novel of all time? Let’s talk books in the comments!
Comments Showing 101-150 of 521 (521 new)
I've read about half--that I can remember. For those of you wondering about the picks, keep in mind that the list is the 100 MOST POPULAR--not the 1`00 BEST. Discerning readers know that there is a big difference,
Some of these comments are maddening! First of all, this list is limited to science fiction ... fantasy titles and authors are not included intentionally. Secondly, the top of the list says, "To create our list, we ran the data to reveal the most reviewed books on our site. Additionally, each title needed at least a 3.5-star rating from your fellow readers to join this list. And, since science fiction is known for its continuing voyages, in the case of multiple titles from the same series, we chose the one with the most reviews."
I loved all three of the Oryx and Crake Atwood books - especially at this time with the virus. They are food for thought - especially the ending of the third book....
Have read 61 of these. A pretty good list, though a lot of really good scifi left out in the cold.
PC picks, of course. ‘Popular’ picks—not necessarily actual science fiction, many of them, or even well-written, as with The Martian. Now, what was that first sentence, again? Oh, yeah, popular vernacular, not too imaginative.
How are the novels of C.J. CHERRYH not on here? The Foreigner series? Chanur novels? Hello?
George wrote: "No John Brunner. His "The Sheep Looked Up" was ahead of its time with respect to the environment. Should be somewhere on that list.""Stand on Zanzibar" as well, please.
I was looking for my favorite sci-fi on that list.The first fifteen lives of Harry August
Read 40 and there are about 20 more I want to read.
Read 25. Still miss Miles Verkosigan! But felt 'Children of Time' was one of the best stories.
Read 36, most in the top 50. ANALOG SF Magazine helped. DUNE first published there.
It seems many of the commenters are confused by the inclusion or exclusion of certain books. This list is not the greatest of all time SF, but as it states at the top, The 100 most popular Sci-Fi books on Goodreads. While Goodreads didn't spell out their algorithm for compiling this list in detail, they did say above,
"we ran the data to reveal the most reviewed books on our site." From this we glean that they are using number of reviews (or perhaps number of ratings) as a primary factor in ranking. This is still insufficient detail to understand the ranking fully. For example, is it based solely on the number of written reviews, or are number of ratings important? If ratings are important, are 5 star reviews counted for more? If not, does this mean that a controversial book that attracts more reviews, even if not positive, will be higher on the list than another? You would also naturally see a tendency for older books to be on the list as they have had much longer to garner a following and have more publicity.
These are just a few artifacts that would need to be controlled for. I'm sure there are others. Goodreads does add the caveats that a book must be 3.5 stars or higher to be included, and that they only include one book of a series on the list, regardless of if the review numbers of other books in the same series would merit their inclusion on the list.
The list is just a little fun, i'm sure. It's basically Goodreads just sharing the data they collect on their servers. There are so many good Sci-Fi books out there, and so many opinions that i'm sure any comprehensive-best-list would get heavily scrutinized and critiqued.
I have loved reading everyones comments! Almost more so than the list itself, because you find little gems that way that aren't 'mainstream'. I have gained many new titles to add to my to-read shelf. Keep reading my friends, and keep sharing your favorites in the comments. Its great to be exposed to new books!
I would like to see a "Si-Fi" only list. Drop all the "fantasy" books and give then their own 100 best list. I would also like to see a top 25-50 or so list of "Si-Fi" series books (e.g., Honor Harrington [both Honor & Honorverse], Asimov's Foundation, both Dune series) , including some series that include individual books by multiple authors, e.g., Bolo books [Laumer, Gawne, Weber, Herbert & Anderson, et al.]. Also a list of best Si-Fi books by multiple authors. e.g., Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson (also a series).
Людовика wrote: "Wow! Whole THREE books by not English-speaking authors! Congratulations."
Read 24. Have enjoyed science fiction since the 60’s and several of my favorites are on this list. My favorite of all time is Arthur C. Clark’s Childhood’s End.
I'm shocked not a single Peter L Hamilton book made this list!!!
Sadly, the list (in places) appears to be as commodified and androcentric as the rest of the world. Much like good marketing makes McDonald's ubiquitous and millions mistake its products food, I suspect that it not been marketed to hell and back, recent books like Ready Player One would never had made this list. Similarly, Heinlein may have been okay in his time, but geeezus, he's right up there with mullets in the 21st century. The less seen and said about anything related to him and his writing, the better.
Where is the Many Colored Land? Or the entire Galactic Mileu for that matter?!
The Dog Stars by Peter HellerThe Last Policeman Trilogy by Ben Winters
I see several refer to “Oona Out of Order” but I disagree. However, Several other time travel books should be considered for any fan of that sub-group: Kate Atkinson’s “Life after life,” Jack Finney’s “Time and again,” and Marlys Millheiser’s “The Mirror” for sure.
I've read 36 of these. This list is someone's idea of the best 100, certainly not mine. Number 56 is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. That is easily the best novel of any genre I've ever read. It tops my list. Where is The Humanoids? To Your Scattered Bodies Go? Time for the Stars? There Will be Time? Double Star? The Uplift War? Galactic Patrol? Brain Wave? Glory Road? Footfall?
Cory Doctorow's "Radicalized", with its four novellas, each a classic for our right-now time.
I've read 32, with another ten or so on my to-read list. Dune should be #1. Some of the titles and authors I 've never heard of.
CJ wrote: "Martin wrote: "Some very, very tired worthy stuff.Starship Trooper, Dirk Gently and Ready Player One ?
Really ? ..."
Amen. Heinlein may have been okay in his time, but geeezus, he's right up the..."
Heinlein is easily the best science fiction author ever. More of his books should be on the list, admittedly I would not have included Stranger in a Strange Land.
I've read 35 including all of the top 12, which shows how much I'm influenced by lists like this. There are books I've never heard of until now so I've got some investigating to do. Thanks again Goodreads!!
Where was Foundation by Issac Asimov - my favorite sci fi book of all time!!! ??
How are these ranked?? Goodreads user ratings have nothing to do with it apparently. Why is Vox here, with a 3.6 aggregate rating?
Fiona wrote: "Strange list - not one Anne McCaffrey title?!"YES - Why no books by McCaffrey?
No Clifford Simak, shame on you........... 3 Hugo's and many other accolades. Stunned, disappointed.
I have read 46 of the books listed and have 26 of them on my TBR list. I would probably have more on my TBR list, but it is already longer than I will ever be able to finish in my life time.
Fiona wrote: "Strange list - not one Anne McCaffrey title?!"ditto
Why not just go by ratings?Just because a book has been around a long time doesn't make it good.
Many of the "classics" have been read just because they've been around a long time, and people have eventually decided "well I might as well find out what all the fuss was about".
and as folks have pointed out, there are LOT of well-rated books that got shunted out by famous (but less liked) works.
Yes it is sad that NK Jemison books were not mentioned at all, Sandersons series and Sherri Tepper wrote really imaginative an well done books that could have been included. I found more to read in the comments of people rather than your survey . More recent authors appear to have been left out as well A.G Riddle is one.
Karolynn wrote: "Where was Foundation by Issac Asimov - my favorite sci fi book of all time!!! ??"It is on the list- #20 to be exact:-)
I've read so many of these - and have picked a few more to read now. Was surprised not to see any of Sherry Tepper's books in the list. She has written some fascinating novels exploring timely topics for us in 2021.
Людовика wrote: "Wow! Whole THREE books by not English-speaking authors! Congratulations."Good point! Got some other Non-English books to suggest? Thanks, Rob.
Phil Hartley wrote: "Really? No Sanderson? Mistborn is absolutely epic, no Feist? Lawrence? GRRM? Gemmell? This list is terrible, old does not equal best."I would agree Mistborn one of my all time favorite series
Ashley wrote: "Rawzer wrote: "looking forward to spending some time working through this list. Obviously its wrong because Dune is definitively No 1 on any list of greatest SciFi novels, but looks like its got so..."Yes Dune should be number one!
Paul wrote: "A lazy pretty predictable list .SF has moved on from this , become mainstream ?
ALL of the Culture works from Iain Banks should be in the top ten surely!"
Wow I agree
Great idea! I would like to see the same for other genres: crime fiction, fantasy etc
Людовика Фьюртенде: do you mean non-native speakers of English? Who are the three?
Taalteek wrote: "For me the all-time number one is The Left Hand of Darknees by Ursula K. LeGuin."Mind-blowing.
This list is... very heavily favored non the side of older novels/white dudes. I mean, there is no Broken Earth novels in it, and its the first (and only) series and author to win 3 -consecutive- Hugos! I've run the numbers... and they say, "wtf?"
These are all awesome books - wishing for the time to be able to read them all. A few to recommend would be:Everything written by Robert Heinlein
The rest of the Foundation series by Asimov
"All My Sins Remembered" by Joe Haldeman
"Babel 17" by Delany
"Dragonriders of Pern" the whole series of books by McAffery
Definitely gonna follow up on some of the extra recommends listed here in the comments too.
Phil Hartley wrote: "Really? No Sanderson? Mistborn is absolutely epic, no Feist? Lawrence? GRRM? Gemmell? This list is terrible, old does not equal best."Sanderson is more fantasy then Sci Fi to me although I know some shade that line differently. What from GRRM did you have in mind?
Joseph wrote: "Not read 1984 since I was in school. Must re-read it. I dont remember it being good enough to be in the top 50. Influential? Sure. But thats not the list title."I don't know that you could leave it off the list, but honestly I would not re-read. I read it in recent years and although it has some interesting ideas is not a very gripping read in the 2nd half.
Yes, you're right, but I think that people who love SF (like me) are actually reading all the comments, and are thinking that by mentioning an author not in the list, other comments-readers will have that writer's name and work drawn to their attention. This is especially the case for relatively recent SF authors, since the list is clearly strongly biased towards older books.