32 Sci-Fi Novels I Should Read
Published July 2nd, 2008At least, according to a list I came across today. It’s not the worst list in the world - but of course I do have a couple complaints.
1) Foundation (Foundation Novels)
Haven’t read it. Heard of it of course. Is on my “read before I die” list. That’s a long list - way more than 32.
2) The Time Machine (Signet Classics)
One of my favorite books of all time. This man is the Father of Science Fiction, as far as I’m concerned. Jules Verne is the Uncle. But I think Wells was better.
3) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Blade Runner book. Has some significant differences from the movie - and is absolutely worth reading.
4) Animal Farm (Signet Classics)
Not really Sci-Fi. But a classic novel nonetheless. Should be required reading for everyone who lives in a Democratic society.
5) The War of the Worlds (Modern Library Classics)
I don’t like it when “definitive” lists put 2 novels by an author on twice. But if it’s warranted for anyone - it’s warranted for Wells. This and Time Machine are so unbelievably ahead of their time, they make 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, From Earth to the Moon and Journey to the Center of the Earth look positively mundane.
6) Frankenstein (Enriched Classics)
Both the a sci-fi forerunner AND the beginning of modern gothic/horror fiction. Nothing like any movie about it you’ve seen - this book is worth reading. It’s far more cerebral than you might expect.
7) The Minority Report
Seen the movie (bleh) but haven’t read the book. Look, PK Dick is a pillar of the genre - do we really need more than one book of his on here? I think lists like these should pick the “best” or “most important” of an author and then mention in the blurb other important works and recommend they not be missed.
8 ) Neuromancer
Welcome to cyberpunk. This novel blew my mind - I can’t imagine what it must have been like to read it in 1984. This is indeed one of the MOST influential sci-fi books of all time. And I think Gibson has grown significantly as a writer since penning this novel.
9) Pattern Recognition
Again with the doubling up - though not SO bad in a 32 book list! But yes, Pattern Recognition is a severely underrated Gibson novel. It really delves into viral marketing phenomena. I just recently re-read it, and it’s very enjoyable.
10) Accelerando
A good book, great ideas and a fantastic exploration of The Singularity - but ultimately, as a novel, I was a little let down. But if you’re a “What’s the Singularity?” person, this is a wonderful place to start.
11) I, Robot (The Robot)
NOTHING like the movie - this was sorta patched onto it. Read this to really understand what 3 Laws is all about - and where the loopholes lie.
12) Stranger in a Strange Land
I am hesitant to really call this sci-fi - yes, it’s about a martian-raised person returning to earth, but that’s not at all what the book is about. It’s a social commentary, and an interesting one. Many of Heinlen’s books are classics (Starship Troopers is too, and it’s not the movie) but his politics are rather at odds with many people.
13) Slaughterhouse-Five
Another hole in my literary pantheon - I haven’t read it. Vonnegut is on my list (how could he not be?) but I just haven’t read anything by him. S5 is tops on my list though.
14) The Giver
Really? I mean, OK, I guess we should have a YA novel on here. So sure. But as far as Utopian/Dystopian fiction goes, there really is better - but probably not for YA readers.
15) 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Scholastic Classics)
Amazing vision, Verne was ahead of his time. A great story.
16) Ringworld
Haven’t read it. Has been on my list for some time. But from what I do know of it - the Ringworld concept is pretty influential in sci-fi, especially since this book was written in 1970.
17) More Than Human
What? I’ve never even heard of this book! I am intrigued.
18) Spook Country
OK. Three? Really? Sorry, this doesn’t need to be on here. It’s not a bad book, but it’s not anywhere near most of the books on this list. Doesn’t need to be on this list.
19) Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
Haven’t read it, I don’t think (though I feel like I have, for some reason). I have read his Eastern Standard Tribe and while that was good, I didn’t think it was GREAT. But Doctorow has a fresh view of the topic.
20) Altered Carbon: A Takeshi Kovacs Novel (Takeshi Kovacs Novels)
Yes! I’m so glad to see this here - this is a fantastic novel that melds hard sci-fi, cyberpunk and hard-boiled noir all into one. I can’t recommend it enough to anyone who likes those genres.
21) Brave New World (P.S.)
If you haven’t read this - do so. It’s ridiculously prescient, and the more America medicates and stratifies itself, the more prescient it becomes.
22) Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition (Dune Chronicles, Book 1)
A great sci-fi story, but ultimately I think it’s a little overrated. It’s never struck me as important or particularly influential - it’s just good.
23) Snow Crash (Bantam Spectra Book)
Blew. My. Mind. Probably the sci-fi novel that has made the biggest impact and impression upon me. I think it’s absolutely brilliant, and probably one of my top 5 favorite novels. Ever. Reading this was like discovering an entire new world for me - it was that amazing. It’s chock full of awesome.
24) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
One of the most clever and funny books ever written. It succeeds in mocking all of sci-fi - including itself - with a smirk and good humor. It drew on sci-fi themes out there, and sci-fi has taken some of the things in this book and turned them serious. It’s a wheel, and we’re all along for the ride.
25) Atlas Shrugged
Sorry, Ayn Rand doesn’t belong on this list. This is sort of an Animal Farm thing - probably belongs elsewhere, no matter how important it is.
26) 1984 (Signet Classics)
Yes, one of the most important works of political fiction, ever. To be read in tandem with Animal Farm. But this one really is science fiction.
27) Fahrenheit 451
Yes, another sci-fi work of dystopian politics. Should be read by anyone who believes in free speech and the importance of history. Written in 1953 and just as important today as it was then (much like Orwell’s books from the late 1940’s).
28) Ender’s Game
Ridiculously good. I’ve loved this book from the day I read it - it is the perfect examination of a boy genius. Taken along with it’s sequel, it forms an very poignant story.
29) A Clockwork Orange
I really like this book, but I’ve never felt it was so amazing as to be on a list like this. It’s the 2nd tier of dystopian fiction, I think.
30) The Andromeda Strain
Pretty amazing for a book written in 1969, though it is a sort of War of the Worlds spin. It’s not the best Crichton choice for this though - if we have to choose a Crichton book - and I think we do - then it’s hands-down, Jurassic Park
31) A Scanner Darkly
Once again, do we need more PK Dick on here? I haven’t read this. Maybe it’s knock your socks off amazing, but if so - it’s the only PK Dick that needs to be here.
32) Timeline - Michael Crichton
Wow, I haven’t read this, but I don’t even need to - Crichton does NOT need to be on this list twice. This is easily the most ridiculous entry on this list.
So there you go, 32 “must-read” novels. Sorta. I definitely favor Jurassic Park over the two Crichton choices. And some other duplicates could be remove to rectify some seriously greivous omissions. For example - not a single Arthur C. Clarke novel on there. Really? Absurd. Put Rendezvous with Rama
Not a bad list though, overall! And the comments thread is interesting for even more books - some that should be on this list.
Actually, “Minority Report” is a short story, so maybe you should move it to the top of you “to read” list.
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Thanks for your comment! I’m honored. I’m slowly working my way through the PK Dick list. I’ve read DADoES? of course, Man in the High Castle, and Palmer Eldritch. Ubik is next, as I have the collected works with these 4 stories.
Eventually I’ll read everything I want to, I hope.
i have a copy of frankenstein if you want to borrow it!
j.j.
Thanks - but I have a copy too. Frankenstein I’ve read.
doh! upon closer reading of your list, you have already read it! nevermind!
j.j.
You MUST read More Than Human. Ted Sturgeon’s masterpiece really is worth reading and reading again.
Atlas Shrugged is LONG and sometimes drags, but it has given birth to a sort of coutner-culture among those dispossessed who want jobs, not handouts.
I would also include Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass and Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.
And my own novels, of course. I have some on Amazon, if you’re interested. I’m also offering some signed copies on eBay, and the bids are really low so far.
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Not a single Brin on the list? I would surely put Earth on in place of a good number of these. Also agree with most of your additions, specifically at least one Clarke novel and definitely Red Mars. One could also argue a good point for an Octavia Butler novel.