As an avid reader of science fiction, I’ve had the pleasure of delving into countless worlds and experiencing mind-bending adventures through the pages of some truly remarkable books. Today, I share with you my top 10 favorite science fiction books – the ones that have left an indelible mark on me and that I believe every sci-fi enthusiast should have on their reading list.

I also realize that some people think that Sci-Fi is crap. If you are in that camp, maybe trying one of the below books will change your views and open up a whole genre for you to read!

Here’s my list (not necessarily in order):

Dune by Frank Herbert.

Dune is my favorite book of all time. I was blown away when I first read it as a teenager. I’ve read it four times and listened to the audiobook once. The recent two-part Dune movies are great and do the book justice. The 1984 Dune movie is fun because of how bad it is — sort of a cult classic.

In Dune, young Paul Atreides becomes embroiled in a struggle for control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of a valuable drug called spice. As Paul discovers his own extraordinary abilities and becomes a messianic figure, he leads a rebellion against corrupt forces to secure control over Arrakis and its spice, which holds the key to interstellar travel and the fate of the universe.

The Three-Body Problem Trilogy, by Cixin Liu.

Cixin Liu is widely considered China’s greatest science fiction writer. American sci-fi fans call him China’s Isaac Asimov.

The trilogy’s plot is based on the physics problem in which one tries to solve for the movement and velocity of three bodies under Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation. The problem has no straightforward solution because there is no existing equation or rule to predict how three interacting celestial bodies will move about one another. Some orbits of three objects repeat, while others are chaotic. Physicists have been searching for a mathematical solution to the three-body problem for over 300 years, but the orbits of three celestial bodies defy prediction.

The Three-Body Problem, book one of the series, introduces the reader to an alien race that inhabits a planet that orbits three stars (due to the planet orbiting three stars, humans dub them “Trisolarans”). Due to the three-body problem, their planet’s orbit is unpredictable. As a result, sometimes their planet is too close or too far from one of its stars, so the race must do something akin to hibernation to survive the heat or cold. Other times, the planet’s orbit is in the Goldilocks zone, and the Trisolarans can live comfortably. As one might expect, life under these conditions is difficult, and the Trisolarans want to find a new home planet. They discover Earth and set out to conquer it. Humanity learns that they’re on their way about 200 years before they arrive. The Trisolarans’ technology is way ahead of ours and even given a two-century heads up, humanity’s fate seems dire. The next two books, The Dark Forrest, and Death’s End, concern how humanity prepares for and then battles the alien invasion.

The Three-Body Problem has been made into a TV show on Netflix by the creators of Game of Thrones. I haven’t watched it, but I’ve heard it’s good.

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline

In a dystopian future where climate change, overpopulation, and energy crises have ravaged the Earth, humanity finds solace in the OASIS, a vast virtual reality universe created by the eccentric genius James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves behind a series of complex challenges based on his obsession with 1980s pop culture, promising his immense fortune and control of the OASIS to the first person who can solve them.

Enter Wade Watts, a teenage protagonist who spends his days in the OASIS as his avatar, Parzival. Along with his virtual friends, Art3mis, Aech, Shoto, and Daito, Wade embarks on a thrilling quest to unravel Halliday’s puzzles and find the hidden “Easter egg.” However, they face fierce competition from other players.

As Wade and his friends navigate the challenges, they must rely on their knowledge of 1980s trivia, video games, movies, and music to progress. The story explores themes of friendship, love, and the blurring of lines between virtual and real identities.

Ready Player One was made into a movie. I haven’t watched it because I’ve heard it isn’t very good.

Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card

When people say they don’t like sci-fi, I suggest that they read Ender’s Game and try not to like this book.

Ender’s Game is set in a future where humanity is at war with an alien race known as the “Buggers.” The story follows Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, a brilliant young boy who is recruited into a military training program designed to find and train the next great military leader.

At Battle School, Ender undergoes rigorous training, including increasingly complex war games in a zero-gravity environment. As he excels in his training, Ender is isolated from his peers and manipulated by his instructors, particularly Colonel Graff, who believes Ender is the key to winning the war against the Buggers.

The novel explores themes of leadership, morality, and the psychological effects of warfare on children. It also delves into the concept of empathy, as Ender struggles to understand and even sympathize with his enemy. Supposedly, the book is read in military training courses to teach outside-of-the-box military strategy.

There’s also a movie that doesn’t do the book justice, and I don’t recommend it.

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson

Seveneves is a stunningly good book (and my friend Michael Small’s favorite book). Its opening line is: “The moon blew up without warning and for no apparent reason.” The book is about what happens to the Earth and humanity after the Moon breaks apart. In order to survive, humanity comes together to send a group of people into space to establish a colony known as the Cloud Ark to ensure the survival of the human race. The inhabitants of the Cloud Ark face numerous challenges, including limited resources and the need to maintain genetic diversity.

The novel is divided into three parts, spanning from the events leading up to the establishment of the Cloud Ark, the struggles of its inhabitants, and the return of their descendants to Earth 5,000 years later. Throughout the story, Stephenson explores themes of science, technology, politics, and human resilience in the face of adversity.

The Martian, by Andy Weir

Mark Watney, an astronaut, is stranded alone on Mars after his crew believes him dead during an emergency evacuation. With limited supplies, Watney must use his ingenuity to survive the harsh Martian environment. He grows potatoes, modifies equipment, and eventually establishes communication with NASA.

On Earth, NASA and the public closely follow Watney’s story, and his crewmates mount a risky rescue mission. The novel, known for its scientific accuracy, is primarily told through Watney’s logs, showcasing his wit, determination, and problem-solving skills.

The Martian was made into a movie starring Matt Damon. It’s outstanding and does the book justice.

The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov

The trilogy consists of Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation. The series follows the events surrounding the decline and fall of the Galactic Empire and the efforts to preserve human knowledge and civilization.

In Foundation, psychohistorian Hari Seldon predicts the fall of the Empire and establishes the Foundation, a group of scientists tasked with preserving human knowledge and rebuilding civilization after the inevitable collapse. The Foundation faces challenges from neighboring warlords and the remnants of the Empire as it tries to fulfill its mission.

Foundation and Empire introduces the Mule, a mutant with the ability to manipulate emotions, who conquers much of the Galaxy and poses a threat to the Foundation’s plans. The Foundation must find a way to stop the Mule and restore the Seldon Plan.

In Second Foundation, the existence of a hidden Second Foundation, established by Seldon to oversee the Seldon Plan, is revealed. The Second Foundation, consisting of psychologists and telepaths, works in secret to guide humanity towards a new Galactic Empire. The book explores the power struggle between the two Foundations and the ultimate fate of the Seldon Plan.

The series is known for exploring complex themes, such as the cyclical nature of history, the power of knowledge, and the role of individuals in shaping the future. Asimov’s Foundation series has had a significant influence on the science fiction genre and has inspired numerous works in the decades since its publication. The trilogy has been made into a series on Apple TV. I watched the first season. It was just okay, IMO, and didn’t totally track the books.

Starship Troopers, by Robert A. Heinlein

Robert A. Heinlein is probably my favorite Sci-Fi author. As an adolescent, I read nearly all of his books, and they made a big impression on me. It’s hard for me to choose a favorite, but I settled on Starship Troopers, a fantastic classic Sci-Fi read. There’s a movie, but the book is WAY better.

The book is set in a future where citizenship is earned through military service. The story follows Johnnie Rico, a soldier in the Mobile Infantry, as he fights in a war against an alien insectoid species known as the “Bugs.”

Rico undergoes training, learns to use advanced powered armor suits, and participates in battles on distant planets. The novel explores themes of duty, citizenship, and the nature of war while also delving into the political philosophy of a society governed by veterans.

Heinlein’s detailed descriptions of futuristic military technology and his portrayal of military life have influenced subsequent science fiction works. The novel has been praised for its exploration of complex ideas but also criticized for glorifying the military.

Hyperion, by Dan Simmons

Hyperion is set in a far future where seven pilgrims journey to the planet Hyperion to seek the Shrike, a mysterious being that can grant wishes or bring death. Each pilgrim has their own reason for the journey, and their stories are told through interlocking narratives.

The pilgrims include a priest, a soldier, a poet, a scholar, a detective, a consul, and a treeship captain. As they travel, they share their tales, revealing a complex web of stories spanning space and time.

The novel explores themes of religion, love, sacrifice, and the nature of humanity in a technologically advanced future. Known for its intricate plot, detailed world-building, and memorable characters, “Hyperion” is a highly acclaimed and influential work in the science fiction genre.

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Nobel Prize in Literature winner Kazuo Ishiguro is a dystopian novel narrated by Kathy H., who reflects on her childhood at Hailsham, a peculiar English boarding school, and her relationships with her friends, Ruth and Tommy. The school’s focus on creativity, health, and caring for one another is juxtaposed with mysterious rules and a sense of isolation.

As Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy navigate the challenges of adulthood and their roles in society, they grapple with love, jealousy, and the search for meaning while confronting unsettling truths about their existence.

Ishiguro’s subtle and understated prose gradually reveals the disturbing nature of the characters’ world, exploring themes of identity, humanity, loss, and memory. This haunting novel raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human and the sacrifices society may make for the greater good.

There’s a movie, but I haven’t watched it.