30 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time
Science fiction is a fascinating book genre. What’s so fantastic about it’s how it can encompass a wide variety of different themes. From dramatic space operas to post-apocalyptic worlds and everything in between.
Science fiction is the perfect genre to read if you’re looking to get lost in a good book. The concepts within the books are interesting and captivating. It’s easy to see why as they’re the perfect concoction of science, technology, and fantastical elements.
If you’re someone looking to read Sci-Fi for the first time, it can be a daunting genre to explore. We’ve put together a list of the 30 best science fiction books of all time.
This list includes a wide range of books, from science fiction classics to newer books that have taken the world by storm.
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
When it comes to creating science fiction, many readers don’t realize Shelley was a pivotal figure in its creation. Frankenstein is a book that completely shaped the genre into what it has become today, and it was revolutionary for its time.
Not only was it revolutionary because a female author wrote it, but the concept was previously unexplored too. Frankenstein is a fantastic book exploring science, humanity, and the idea of monsters linking to people rather than the monsters they have created.
It reflects politics and society and focuses on how real science can be twisted and abused. There are countless retellings of Frankenstein, including movie adaptations. While this is an old science fiction book, it has stood the test of time.
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2. 1984 by George Orwell
1984 is one of the best science fiction books of all time.
Not only is it fascinating in terms of social commentary, but it’s a unique novel too.
It’s another book standing the test of time, and the dystopian themes within the book are still relevant today. It’s thought-provoking, shocking, and serves as a cautionary tale.
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3. Dune by Frank Herbert
If you’re looking for a science fiction book featuring epic fantasy elements, Dune is a fantastic book to read.
It’s a cult classic, and it’s easy to see why. While it was previously published in 1965, there have been many newer editions of this science fiction book published over the decades.
Dune is the first book in the series, and it’s an epic space opera. It was revolutionary when it was first published, and it’s a book all science fiction fans should consider reading.
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4. The Stand by Stephen King
When discussing the science fiction genre, it’s unlikely the first author who comes to mind is Stephen King. While King may be the king of horror, he has expanded his horizons and written within other genres over the decades.
The Stand is the perfect example of how an author can write something different and be successful at this.
The Stand focuses on the aftermath of a pandemic and the fight between good and evil.
While it’s not your typical science fiction novel, it’s set in the future and focuses on the survival of the human race. It’s had two television adaptations and features good characters.
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5. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Journey to the Center of the Earth is an epic sci-fi book centering on the main character called Professor Otto Lidenbrock.
It features volcanoes, adventure, and it’s an interesting book to read for any science fiction fan.
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6. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
If you want a science fiction book featuring alien invasion, The War of the Worlds is the perfect option to consider.
The movie adaptation of this book is also fantastic, and there’s a large focus on the mission to save humanity from the aliens. It’s easy to see why this book is one of the best science fiction novels of all time.
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7. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
The Time Machine is another science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells. While it was previously published in 1895, there have been many reissues over the years.
This store stands the test of time and focuses on the future and time travel. It discusses what could happen in the possible future and human life on Earth 800,000 years away.
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8. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
According to avid readers, Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is one of the best sci-fi novels.
It’s deep-rooted in resistance and focuses on a totalitarian machine, society, and humanity’s place within this. It’s not your average science fiction book and is often compared to the work of Orwell.
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9. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick is an impressive science fiction author, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is both a bizarre and interesting concept.
In 1982, the movie adaptation of this science fiction novel was released, called Blade Runner. It quickly became a cult classic, and it’s still a popular choice today.
While this is a sci-fi book, there’s a love story between Rick and Rachael.
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10. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale is one of the best types of feminist literature published.
It’s a science fiction book with strong dystopian themes and a chilling commentary on society. It focuses on a religious cult and the women within it.
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11. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Hyperion is an interesting novel and a retelling of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It’s set on a different planet and has strong science fiction themes running throughout it.
While the Canterbury Tales is a series of seven short stories, this one book is set up slightly differently.
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12. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
If you’re looking for a more lighthearted science fiction book, it doesn’t get better than Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Hitchhiker’s Guide is the first book in the series, and it focuses on deep space and alien culture. The humor is fantastic, and Douglas Adams is a talented writer.
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13. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game is popular with science fiction fans. It’s often seen as revolutionary and focuses on a military career, training, and outer space.
The world-building is remarkable, and it features alien species. Orson Scott Card is one of the best science fiction authors of recent years.
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14. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World is a science fiction book featuring strong dystopian themes. While it’s a fairly old book, it’s stood the test of time.
It focuses on the dangers of technology and state control. It’s powerful and an interesting reflection on society as a whole.
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15. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
I, Robot is slightly different from the majority of the science fiction novels featured. Instead of being a longer story, the book comprises 9 science fiction short stories.
It focuses heavily on artificial intelligence and robots.
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16. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
A Space Odyssey focuses heavily on the links between man and machine. It’s based on a short story, and there’s also been a movie adaptation created.
Stanley Kubrick directed the movie, and it’s a popular adaptation.
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17. Watchmen by Alan Moore and David Gibbons
This is a slightly different science fiction book to feature as technically speaking, this is a DC comic book series.
However, it has strong science fiction elements and focuses on superheroes created due to the Vietnam War.
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18. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
You may not typically associate Jurassic Park with the sci-fi genre, but it certainly fits the specification. While most people will be familiar with the Jurassic Park movies, many don’t realize the idea came from Michael Crichton’s novel.
It focuses on a dinosaur theme park created, which then goes wrong.
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19. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
When it comes to extraordinary science fiction stories, it doesn’t get better than Slaughterhouse-Five.
While it’s not a book based on the solar system or space exploration, it’s an insightful account of life in Germany while the Nazis occupied it during World War Two.
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20. Neuromancer by William Gibson
If you’re looking for an interesting sci-fi book about mercenary criminals, Neuromancer is the perfect option to consider. It has plenty of science fiction elements and focuses heavily on artificial intelligence.
It’s an intriguing insight into the human race and society as a whole, with the way it links to technology.
There’s an abundance of corruption featured in the novel, and it focuses on identity and what this means to the main character.
While it’s not hard science fiction, it makes for a compelling read. Gibson has impressive writing skills, especially when Neuromancer was his debut novel.
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21. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Hunger Games is a fairly new young adult book and is the first in the series. It was revolutionary when it was first released, and it quickly took the young adult world by storm. It has dystopian themes, and the plot is quite shocking.
It keeps readers guessing throughout and features political themes.
If you’re getting into sci-fi, this can be an excellent place to start because it’s an exciting read, and the writing isn’t overly complex. There are three other books set within this world too.
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22. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
I Am Legend is a fascinating sci-fi novel. If you have seen the movie adaptation, you may be surprised to learn the book is rather different.
The book is far more complex, and the story is more in-depth and intriguing. It’s based on the aftermath of a plague and how humans cope with this.
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23. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is a compelling sci-fi novel exploring humans living on Mars and setting up a colony. Considering this book was written in 1950, it was ahead of its time. The events follow the aftermath of the nuclear war on Earth and are set up in different chronicles.
Interestingly, the chronicles within this novel are all short stories covering the different years and events.
The structure is an interesting one, and there have been many reprints of this book over the years. It remains a popular choice with science fiction readers.
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24. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Children of Time is one of the best modern science fiction books available to purchase. It took the sci-fi world by storm and displays Tchaikovsky’s impressive writing skills. This novel is different from his early work but is as remarkable.
Children of Time focuses on a planet home to an alien civilization of evolved spiders.
The surviving human population has to flee from Earth, survive space, and seek refuge on a new planet. It has all the typical tropes of a sci-fi book readers know and love.
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25. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
The Man in the High Castle is a book you may not necessarily assume to be one of the best science fiction books. However, it certainly is. What’s fantastic about this sci-fi novel is its plot.
The story follows what would have happened if the Nazis had won The Second World War. It truly represents the dark ages and puts an interesting spin on an alternative reality. It has heavy dystopian elements, and it makes for a captivating read.
In 2015, Amazon Prime Video released the TV series The Man in the High Castle. It was popular with a broad audience and drew in those who typically don’t read or watch sci-fi.
That’s because of its historical fiction themes.
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26. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Clockwork Orange is not an easy book to read in terms of its content. In some instances, it can be seen as rather brutal and triggering.
That’s why you should take caution if you plan to read this book. Likewise, if you choose to watch the Stanley Kubrik movie adaptation.
While this is a sci-fi novel, it features heavy dystopian themes and social commentary. It’s set shortly, and in some ways, it’s satire and speculative fiction.
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27. The Martian by Andy Weir
The vast majority of authors will be offered book deals before publication. The Martian did not fit this mold, and it was initially self-published.
In general, self-published books don’t reach the same level of success compared to their traditionally published counterparts. Occasionally you get a book like The Martian, which has the same level of success.
If you’re not familiar with the plot, it follows an American astronaut stranded on Mars in the near future. The story focuses on his need to survive and the fallout of the events after he becomes stranded. It’s a fascinating concept.
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28. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
This is a fairly new sci-fi novel, an epic space opera. The characters explore the entire galaxy, and the main character is a young woman called Rosemary Harper.
The book is full of diverse and fascinating characters, and there is plenty of representation in the book. It’s easy to see why this is coined as one of the best new sci-fi series.
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29. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
A Memory Called Empire is the newest book featured. While it was only released in 2019, it’s an impressive start to the Teixcalaan series.
It’s difficult to believe this is a debut novel, given its intricate plot and compelling characters. This sci-fi book is a space novel and features all the sci-fi elements readers love.
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30. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
Finally, we have A Darker Shade of Magic. This is the first book in the trilogy written by V. E. Schwab, and it’s an impressive one.
There are different versions of London, and the plot follows the main character Kell as he escapes from Gray London.
While it may not be your typical sci-fi book, it has fantastic elements. Being a Young Adult book, it’s not overcomplicated and is easy to read.
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Summary
There is a wide variety of different science fiction books available to read, and these 30 books showcase the best of this genre. Science fiction is truly a wonderful and intriguing genre to explore.
This article shows that science fiction isn’t just about space operas. It covers future generations, humanity, technology, and even climate change. If the book features science and technology, it typically falls within the science fiction genre.
When people discover this, they’re often shocked to realize how many books they’ve read with science fiction elements.
You may also want to check out other books within this genre in addition to these best sci-fi books of all time.
