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The 25 sci-fi books I want you to read
25
items I've read a fair amount of science fiction over the years. The genre is a personal favorite and never fails to inspire me. Here, I bring you the greatest hits from my brain. 25 books from 25 authors, each a worthy pick. So, whether you're an experien...
Sections
4
Adventurous & Accessible
Epic & Expansive
Cerebral & Philosophical
Gritty & Noir
Adventurous & Accessible
Lighter, action-driven, or humorous tales with broad appeal
Genuinely had trouble putting this one down. One of the first classics I read years ago and it helped show me that there's more to a book than its cover OR its publication date.
The Invisible Man - H. G. Wells
Science fiction with an emphasis on science. I promise, the book is better than the movie. Incredible ride that I wish I could experience for the first time again.
The Martian - Andy Weir
Believe it or not, the book is indeed better than the movie. Sure, the actors' faces are in you mind while reading, but I finished this one in a few days. No wonder Spielberg took such an interest.
Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton
Genuinely surprised by how great this book was. Intermittently disturbing and frustrating, it's an uncaring and cold setting where a somewhat likable character becomes your obsession.
The Forever War - Joe Haldeman
Drop-dead hysterical. I swear, I had to put the book down and stop laughing on a few occasions. Imaginative world with gritty events and plenty of gore.
All Systems Red - Martha Wells
Exceeded my expectations and then some. I grew to love the dynamics of the silo. First time I've read a post-apocalyptic story like this.
Wool - Hugh Howey
I was floored by the level of thought and detail which went into this book. Seriously, the references go layers deep and appeal to all levels of nerds. All-around fun story to read.
Ready Player One - by Ernest Cline
I hope you have a sense of humor because this book is possibly the funniest I've ever read.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Epic & Expansive
Grand, sweeping narratives with massive stakes and scale
A marathon. A classic. A home run. Plenty of twists and turns in a dazzlingly unique setting. Read this one now.
Dune - Frank Herbert
The character-switching is disorienting, then intoxicating. Classic landscape of drama in space. Mind-bending, sickening imagery. You'll love it.
Leviathan Wakes - James S. A. Corey
Doesn't hold your hand. But, thanks to remarkable translation work, the story holds up and blew my English-speaking mind. People are talking about this book for good reason.
The Three-Body Problem - Cixin Liu
Literally used to daydream about being in the battle room. Very easy story to acclimate to, in the best way. Great for teens and adults. Way better than the movie.
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Want something which riles you up to the point where you want to scream at your book? Here you go. Incredible underdog story.
Red Rising - Pierce Brown
Cerebral & Philosophical
Thought-provoking stories tackling big ideas, reality, or human limits
Probably the book I've recommended the most. I'm talking word of mouth. Reading on the edge of my seat. The imagery and world-building was shocking. The book doesn't hold your hand, but that's ok.
Annihilation - Jeff VanderMeer
No kidding, I think about this story probably once a month. What starts as a fun play on the idea of Schrödinger's cat becomes a mind-boggling survivalist, redemptionist story. A+.
Dark Matter - Blake Crouch
This one rocked me when I read it in high school. Such a mundane idea as soma was actually mind-blowing and novel to me back then. Truly a coming-of-age experience for me.
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
Alright, part of this book is HEAVY sci-fi, and part is not, but I'm including it here anyway. The symmetry and layers of this book were a wonder to behold. You almost see where it's all going, but you don't.
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
This story has captivated and inspired countless people, including me. HAL 9000 proves more relevant than ever in today's AI-infused environment.
2001: A Space Odyssey - Arthur C. Clarke
I'll be honest and say I never played S.T.A.L.K.E.R., but I absolutely loved this novel. Eerie story and themes with highly memorable events. See where the idea of the “exclusion zone” began.
Roadside Picnic - Arkady Strugatsky
Another testament to the quality of sci-fi that was happening a half-century ago. A deep cut, but one you should try.
Babel-17 - Samuel R. Delany
Gritty & Noir
Dark, cynical, morally complex stories with a hard edge
What a ride. This book doesn't hold your hand and forces some consideration of what “you” are. Such a simple concept (sleeves) from Morgan which is the backdrop of a crazy story.
Altered Carbon - Richard K. Morgan
Required reading if you're into 80s sci-fi. This book stands on its own in my mind. Dazzlingly descriptive and unique. Scratches that VR spot nicely.
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Ever see Blade Runner? Then you'll want to learn where it came from. This book sucks you right in.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Hot take: I liked this one better than I, Robot, and I loved I, Robot. Get to know one of my favorite literary characters, R. Daneel Olivaw.
The Caves of Steel - Isaac Asimov
Possibly my favorite video game franchise of all time, so of course I read the book. Loved every second of it – the literary art deco, the backstory, the gore, all of it.
BioShock: Rapture - John Shirley