What are the all-time top or must-read science fiction novels? It is a question that often comes up in conversations, whether in person or online, but the answers are always debatable with so many good science fiction books. We have come up with a list of top 25 must-read sci-fi books. Our list was curated after reviewing various blogs online, talking to avid sci-fi readers and long-time librarians.

Some of the famous authors that always come up are Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and George Orwell. But many others have produced some of the best content.

Top 25 sci-fi books

The following are our 25 picks for the Science Fiction books ever published. It covers all eras and multitudinous genres such as dystopias or space or cyberpunk. Whether you are looking for your next read or want to leap into the future, we will witness some of the best writers in history have envisioned. Sci-fi books trigger our minds in such a manner that one can take wild trips of imagination while presenting a captivating vision of our forthcoming future. Our broad list also covers many of the hot-off press books that gained critical appreciation.

1 – The Dispossessed by Le Guin, Ursula K. (#1 Sci-fi Novel)

The Dispossessed is a 1974 science fiction novel that revolves around a fictional universe. The story is one of the best works of Ursula K. Le Guin. Le Guin is acclaimed with various accolades such as Hugos, six Nebula, Locus Awards, and many more. It is a book that you should not miss if you are a fan of sci-fi novels.

“One of the greats….Not just a science fiction writer; a literary icon.” – Stephen King

Le Guin’s Dispossessed novel revolves around various societal structures such as capitalism, anarchist, communism. The book continually compares the differences between these societies. While the purity of anarchist society is highlighted, the book also presents the advantage of capitalist and communist societies. The focal point of the book is the discovery of a new theory of time. It features the development of a mathematical theory. Le Guin’s novels always have a touch of ambiguity, making her one of the best writers of utopian literature.

This sci-fi book effectively pushes us to assess views on various societal structures. The Dispossessed is beautifully written and packs ideas that make us part of the fictional universe. It is a definite must-read in the science-fiction genre as the novel has won various novels such as Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1974 and the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1975.

2 – The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

Akin to many sci-fi novels, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is about fictitious lunar colonies. Robert Heinlein writes this excellent novel. Heinlein’s work is regarded as one of the best in the history of American sci-fi novels.

He is a dominant figure when it comes to the genre and is often known as the “dean of science fiction writers.” It will be a shame if we do not include one of the best works from his rich collection of novels and short stories. Most of his books became instant classics – one of them being The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.

It is a great novel and revolves around the story of a rebellion by a lunar colony whose citizens mostly comprises of criminals, lawbreakers, and political exiles. The lead role is a computer technician – Mannie who learns that lunar colony’s master computer system has gained self-awareness. He also learns that the continuous export of hydroponic wheat to Earth will lead to starvation in the lunar colony.

The scenario leads to prompt Lonnies to rebel for independence by throwing rocks on Earth. You should read and find out who wins the battle, the colonists or loonies? It is a must-read book, and every admirer of the sci-fi genre must not miss one this one.

3 – Dune by Frank Herbert (Best Sci-Fi Novel)

The Dune is the best sci-fi novel, if not the best; I don’t know what is. American author, Frank Herbert’s novel, is timeless, and one can go back to it over and over again. It has all the drama, technology, villains, and the best of all – the scary creatures. It is one novel where everything is just right and falls in place entirely.

The story was published in 1965 and is a monument of soft science fiction. It is one reason that makes it the best sci-fi book even after all these years. The book features sandworms that are tamed by desert-dwellers. There are hardly any other novels that feature a creature that is also memorable after years.

Everyone who reads the book loves and the even the five sequels. Tv and film adaptations have also been an enormous success. The best of them all was the first that keep the tension and interest while not giving away most of the story. It is honestly a book where one always wants more.

The ‘Dune’ is so exciting that it will push you to the last page once you start it. The action-packed novel makes it hard to put the book aside for some time. The best part of the story is that it sends out a powerful ecological message, and it gets apter in the later parts of the book. One must read the book without wasting any time and think later about the sequels.

It has won the Hugo Award and has its name on the inaugural Nebula Award. Many often cite the book as the best selling sci-fi novel. While it is set out in future between interstellar society, the book makes a connection by highlighting more on the politics of humanity. Instead of technology, the book focuses on the politics of humans.

4 – The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

The Stars My Destination is undoubtedly the work of genius. Alfred Bester’s novel is a brilliant piece of work, that comes with a unique concept that not many have other sci-fi books have undertaken. It is one novel that many budding stage science fiction writers look to as inspiration.

It is a darker novel, and people who are expecting a perfect universe should avoid reading the masterpiece. Although The Stars My Destination is a violent story, Bester’s style of writing and wordplay and poetic language can keep anyone glued to the story. The novel certainly demands to be read over and over again.

While The Stars My Destination certainly is one of the top picks on everybody’s top ten sci-fi books list. However, many debate it as the most significant single novel ever in history. The best part is that it gets better every time you read it, and you will undoubtedly discover new things with every read.

If cyberpunk genre is what you like, then there is no way you should miss on this monumental piece of work. The book clenches readers with a fascinating storyline and vivid, colorful portrayal of the future in the 24th and 25th century.

Bester keeps it human and does make a great connection with the reader. The story revolves around humans colonizing the solar system, and a character named Gully Foyle. Foyle is a teleporter who possesses a burning desire to take revenge.

5 – The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe

The Book of the New Sun is a sequence of four sci-fi novel written by Gene Wolfe. The book is a perfect mix of science fiction and fantasy. The series of novels marks the best time of Wolfe’s writing career. The book starts in the dark and has several major turning points and surprises waiting for you. We will discuss any of them to avoid being the spoiler.

The book is a staple fantasy where people are waiting for a savior that will renew the sun, and as the world is starting to degenerate. A young apprentice named Severian is the journeyman and who discovers the abandoned spaceships.

Wolfe’s style of writing makes all his books very interesting and compelling. All four volumes of the novel are the perfect blend between fantasy and sci-fi, and for the same reason.

Each of the volumes has been presented with one or the other major award. Read The Book of the New Sun, if you haven’t already, as you can’t miss this book if you want to proclaim yourself as well read in the science fiction genre.

The novel is packed with so much drama that there is one or the other thing going on in the story.
It is hard to notice even when narrator Severian has left briefly from narrating. The journeyman Severian’s journey is packed with scary and fun ventures where creatures and assassins attack him. It consists of miracles, betrays, people from the dead, and a lot more to make it one of the best books in the genre.

6 – Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons

American sci-fi and horror writer Dan Simmons ambitious and successful Hugo-winning space opera novel is undoubtedly still the gold standard for the genre. The 1989 novel is an excellent example of what sci-fi genre can achieve with the right mindset. The dark novel has a human theme to it that not only makes it a great read but also grips the complete attention of the readers.

It is a series of two science fiction novels and has also received the Locus awards in 1990. The story is set out in a distant-distant future where humans colonizing stars is inexorable and discusses the consequences of such actions. It is one of the must-read science fiction ever written.

Much of the story takes place in the planet Hyperion, which the book describes as a place that has one-fifth less of gravity than Earth. It has numerous indigenous flora and fauna and some fascinating and imaginary Trees such as the Tesla trees. The Tesla trees are capable of emitting electricity.

The first pair of novels highlights the journey of a group of six travelers that are on a pilgrimage to the Time Tombs on the planet. The pilgrimage is a particular death sentence as they are in pursuit of a creature named Shrike.

The legends say that Shrike will kill all pilgrimages but one that will be granted a wish.

Each of the travelers shares their story while they seek out shrike. The series of Hyperion Cantos is hard to put down once you start reading. The Hyperion Cantos is not for someone who is looking for a happy go lucky read. The book has emotional, physical, and spiritual sufferings. It is a brilliant book, and the poetic work compels readers to keep reading it. The striking sci-fi imaginary makes it as one of the must-read books of all time.

7 -The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

The Man in the High Castle is a book written by notable American writer Phillip Dick. His scarstasic style of writing made him one of the greatest sci-fi writers. Therefore, his work is also among the very few in the genre known for being funny. Most of Dick’s work is so unique and creative that it is hard to pick one book. Making a tough call, we chose to put The Man in the High Castle on our list. It even has won the Hugo Award in 1963 for the best novel.

One other interesting fact is that most of Dick’s work has jumped to TV series or movies. Some of the notable films that are based on his work include Minority Report, Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly, The Adjustment Bureau, and Total Recall. Even The Man in the High Castle has been adapted into a series with the same name. The series is loosely based on the book.

The Man in the High Castle is an alternative history novel in which Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan – know as Axis Powers won the second world war. The concept represents America being ruled by the Nazi and Japa, while a small state still breathes the independent air. Knowing Dick’s mordant style of writing, most of the story is filled with fakes and trickery. The Man in the High Castle is often regarded as the greatest mystery and sci-fi book of Dick’s career. If alternate histories are your thing, it is one book you do not want to miss.

8 – The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

The Foundation Theory is one of the best star science series ever written. The three novel series kept gripping people constantly for 30 years. It is the only book to win the one-time Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series in 1966. The book begins with a perfect galactic empire that has peace, development, and civilization across the entire space.

But a mathematician Harry Silden has developed a theory of psychohistory – which is a combination of mathematics, history, and sociology that can predict the future. Selden forces that the vast empire is about to doom in the dark age for the next thirty thousand years. He predicts that if the light of civilization is preserved, then the dark period will last no longer than one thousand years.

Seldon established a foundation at the farthest end of the galaxy hoping that a new empire will develop. The new foundation sees scientific progress but then something that Seldon could not foresee arises. Sounds exciting and enthralling, right? We won’t give out any spoilers. Will the book live up to the thought – ‘all’s well that ends well.’

The book is ambitious and hard to leave once you start. The writer throws in many surprises that will leave readers shocked. The best part of the novel series is that it hopes to make futuristic technology as realistic as possible.

9 – 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

One of the most popular sci-fi movies is 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film was based on a number of short stories written by Arthur Clarke. The collection of these short stories turned into one of the fascinating sci-fi books. Arthur’s footing was a short story dubbed ‘The Sentinel’, in which an aline-like object was found on the surface of the moon.

The short story is often known as the birth of the successful 2001: A Space Odyssey. The exciting part is that the novel and the movie was written concurrently, and only differ in some minor details.

The story is so famous that there is no need to repeat it here. But for those who have missed this excellent science fiction novel, the story surrounds primitive man that transforms into a creature. The creature is not similar to most of the one you think it is a freaky tool-using creature. The creature sends signals to the Jupiter planet, and the two work hard to contend with a computer gone rogue.

The story is best for those that have pure love for science and don’t enjoy any emotional drama. Clarke’s sci-fi work has always been about humans reaching the brink of the next evolutionary leap. We have only listed the first part of the novel that is brilliant, but the sequels lack the creative input. The book and the film have left an incalculable impression on the succeeding science fictions.

10 – Lilith’s Brood by Octavia E. Butler

Lilith’s Brood is one of the most popular science fiction books. It is a collection of three volumes written by Octavia Butler. Most of Butler’s books are highly rated, especially among critics. The volumes were initially published as Xenogenesis. Akin to most of Butler’s work where there is a fascinating and unique world developed, Lilith’s Brood is no difference. The novel mainly uses the imaginary world to scrutinize sexuality, race, and more.

The book depicts an alien race known as Oankali. The Oankali look alien in every bit with tentacle over their bodies, and interestingly the alien race consists of male, female and Ooloi. The book starts with Lilith waking up in what looks like a prison cell and trying to figure out where she is.

All she remembers is a there was a nuclear war on Earth. She discovers that the planet Earth is uninhabitable and the OanKali has saved her. Interestingly, she woke up after 250 from the nuclear war. Sounds interesting? The story is so thrilling that you will want to finish the book at one go. Butler keeps its real by showing human emotions. It is a must-read a book for all sci-fi book lovers.

11 – The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War is the best, if not the best; I don’t know what else is, anti-war science fiction novel. American author Joe Haldeman has ingeniously used science fiction to relay a great message. The Forever War is an extended analogy of his previous book – War Year, on how poorly soldiers are treated. The book highlights how soldiers get alienated from home and their close ones.

If anti-war science fiction is your thing, then you should not miss The Forever War. The book won most of the prestigious awards such as the Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Awards. The Forever War tells a war story between planet earth and alien species – Taurans.

The story gets interesting as time dilation comes into play, where humans who complete two years of military service in the alien planets is equal to decades on Earth. The lead of the story – William Mandella, returns to Earth after almost two decades to discover that Earth has drastically changed. He re-enlists for the next four years to fight Taurans.

But eventually, as humans and Taurans learn to communicate with each other, they learn and understand that the decades long war was a misunderstanding and a mistake. Haldeman’s style of writing and the way he demonstrated the interstellar war is one of the most beautiful science fiction works.

12 – Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson

Mars Trilogy is acknowledged as one of the greatest and most beautiful scientifically literate works over the past three decades. Kim Stanley Robinson fascinating vision demonstrates the terraforming of Mars and how it changes life for humans. All three novels – Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars have won either one or the other major awards. The first book – Red Mars won the Nebula Award, while the other two won the reputed Hugo and Locus Award.

Robinson illustrates how Mars transforms desert to the source of water and the birth of life on the planet. Every minute, information is detailed with great attention. The impressive conception is something that all humans can relate, especially in the modern world.

The story starts with the first lot of hundred people on the planet and their struggle to live in an inhospitable environment of the Red planet. The early colonists debate on the best way to terraform Mars and make it a place for human beings can live.

At the same time, resources on Earth start to replenish, and major corporations began dominating the planet, while a Martian rebellion begins. Over the years, a catastrophic environmental collapse leads people to the earth. While the earth has become a place where people can live openly, humans start their work to populate the rest of the solar system.

13 – A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge

A Fire Upon The Deep is a classic sci-fi novel that has everything – aliens, physics, superhuman intelligence, betrayal, space battles, and so much more. It is a popular space opera written by Vernor Vinge. Vinge introduced a number of original concepts in the book, such as The Zone of Thought. The book is set out in various places in the Milky Way, and the Zone of Thought are the four concentric volumes that the galaxy is divided.

According to his imagination, humans are limited to the speed of light, and so is our capacity to think. The zones towards the center of the galaxy are slower when it comes to speed and thought. Meanwhile, when one moves outward, both speed and thought are faster. In the novel, you will see multiple shifts from slower to faster or vice versa migrations. You will come across dog-like aliens, ultra-modern tech to a medieval level of technology.

A Fire Upon The Deep shared the Hugo Award with Doomsday Book in 1993. It is a book that one can’t miss if sci-fi is your favorite genre. You may hate or love the book, but it is a perfect combination of science, story, and ideas that make it a definite read. The book is a must-read for those that love traditional Space Opera, where there is an engaging story that blends with the vastness of the space.

14 – The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

The Time Machine is one of the oldest novellas on the list. H. G. Wells writes it, and the first novel was published in 1895. The book played an important role in defining the popular concepts of aliens and time travel in the sci-fi genre. All of the five novels deserves a place on our top 25 science fiction books, but we can only list the first book as not to leave behind great works from other authors.

As to my knowledge, The Time Machine is credited for being the first novel to introduce time as a dimension and develop a machine that could allow anyone to travel through time. Most movies and sci-fi books that today use the concept of time travel are all credit to the work of H.G. Wells. The story starts with an inventor telling his success story of creating a device that allows him to travel through time. The inventor visualizes future high-tech cities, wars, and more.

His journey extends and visualizes thousands of years in the future, where there are innocent and kind at heart people known as Eloi. He also sees the evil people known as Morlocks – who are descendants of the working-class people. The Eloi are the descendants of the rich. Eventually, the inventors sess the end of the planet Earth. We do not want to give away most of the story, so it is best to read the book. The novel is a must-read for all those who fascinate the concept of time travel. The book is monumental as often it is regarded as the beginning of modern science fiction.

15 – Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore

Bring the Jubilee is one of the greatest alternate histories sci-fi books over time. The book has played an influential role among all the rest of the alternative history literature, while at the same time positively transforming the sci-fi subgenre.

Science fiction and history always make a great combination. Imagine a world where we make a minor change to history and how it could transform the present and future of humanity. Even a small shift can change in the present can determine our fate and destiny. The book’s key topic is the civil war in the United States and highlights what if Robert E. Lee won the Battle of Gettysburg, and the United States are divided into two.

The book has several fakes where the Confederacy becomes a global powerhouse and north of the United States suffers from poverty. The book connects science, emotions, and story in a significant way. The book surrounds Hodge Backmaker who arrives in New York to study history. But he is robbed and finds himself working for a library that in the backhand is making efforts to restore the north of the United States. While all that is going on, Hodge comes across a community that has invented the time machine. He gets an opportunity to go back in time and view the battle. In his time in the past, Hodge delays the Confederate States Army and changes the result of the fight.

16 – The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles is a short science fiction written by Ray Bradbury. The book surrounds humans fleeing the atomic destruction on planet Earth and colonizing Mars. It then takes us through the conflict between the Martians and the new colonists from Earth. Bradbury’s style of writing differed from almost every writer in the genre. His focus was always human emotions and not technology, yet he is acknowledged as one of the greatest writers in the field.

The story starts with three American who reach Mars and discover a town the same as they left on Earth. The plot has many surprises and twists and turns. Bradbury has thrown a lot into one basket, that includes Martians, human emotions, clash between Martians and humans and more. It is not a novel per se, so be prepared as there will be frequent jumps from one story to another.

At times, there will be scenarios that don’t match the base story but still collectively adds up as the story continues. While Martians kill the first colonists, eventually the Martians themselves dies from the disease brought to the red planet by humans. There are conflicts between people who want to pillage the landscape and others who wish to stay in harmony. Eventually, Mars is depopulated after the nuclear war on Earth.

17 – The Female Man by Joanna Russ

The Female Man is one of the very few feminist science fiction books. American writer and radical feminist Joanna Russ took help of the genre to express her view on feminism and educate people on equal rights. She armed herself with sci-fi books to challenge sexist viewpoints. The plot surrounds four women living in different worlds. These women share their views on feminism and the situation of womanhood in those worlds. Each woman understands from their encounters and transforms their viewpoint on what being a woman is all about.

The Female Man is playing a character named Joanna, who thinks that women must forget her identity or true being to get from society. Her idea is to get equality by rebuffing the notion of women’s dependence on men. Joanna world is peaceful, and the feminist movement is only starting to arise. Meanwhile, in another parallel universe, the war between the sexes has been going on for over 40 years. The book demonstrates both the anger and cynicism. The novel is acknowledged as the birth of subgenre, i.e., feminist science fiction. Always controversial, but it does touch many of the issues in the present world.

18 – The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

The Diamond Age is one of the most acclaimed books in the sci-fi genre. An awardee of both the Hugo and Locus Awards, it is one book that genuinely connects with the world we live in today. Unlike other sci-fi novels, The Diamond Age focuses more on the recent tech advancements such as nanotechnology. The book is written by Neal Stephenson and was first published in 1995. The books pivots on how nanotechnology affects different aspects of life and the world we live in. Its primary themes include ethnicity, artificial intelligence, and education.

The novel is best for young readers as most of the technology in the book is familiar and comfortable to absorb. On the downside, the novel lack imaginary technologies or scientific concept that make up for most of the other sci-fi books. The book shines like the name and has a lot of fantastic ideas. The world is dominated by phyles – a group of people that have come together by identical values and heritage.

Therefore, anyone outside the phyle is considered as a lower-class person. The destiny of the protagonist Nell, who lives in a slum area on the artificial diamondoid island, is to change the world. However, the story takes a u-turn as Nell gains a book that rises her to power to the extent that she has found her tribe.

To be outside a phyle, therefore, is the lowest of the low. That is the fate of Nell until she acquires a copy of an interactive book, The Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer, which was intended for someone else. By following the advice in the book, Nell can rise in the world until, by the end, she has founded her phyle. The future envisioned by Stephenson is convincing, and one can easily relate to it. The world is very different from what we live, but it does demonstrate how we might reach that end.

19 – Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Ancillary Justice is one of the recent ones that make it to the list of top 25 sci-fi book ever. It is uncommon for someone to become famous and win almost every literary award for the first book they publish. Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice is one such example and is a story in itself.

The story is a classic space opera, in which an empire dubbed Radch is growing its dominance across other parts of the galaxy. Leckie’s unique and creative vision is splendid, where soldiers are controlled using Artificial Intelligence. The empire uses artificial intelligence to command the human body known as ancillaries.

The storyline surrounds Breq, who is ancillary of a starship that was wrecked before two decades. It continues by Breq seeking to find the reason for the wreckage of the starship and then fights for justice. Interestingly, the Radch do not differentiate by sex, and all have female pronouns. It might bewilder many, but it does send the right message that all individuals are equal. It should not matter whether the character in the story is male or female. It is one aspect that is unique to Ancillary Justice.

The book is a must-read for all sci-fi lovers, and the number of awards it won can measure its success. The Ancillary Justice performed a grand award sweep, winning Hugo, BSFA, Locus, and Nebula.

20 – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One is a novel with a unique concept written by Ernest Cline. It is Cline’s first book that received immense acknowledgment around the world. The plot starts in a dystopian world where the lead Wade Watts is looking for Easter Eggs in virtual reality game. Finding the egg will win the game and eventually inherit game creators wealth.

If modern, fast, and gaming is what you like, then this is one of the most enthralling stories ever. The gaming industry has seen unparalleled advancements; it was not far that science fiction writer would take it as a cue to blend into a fantasy world. The best part is that everyone can connect to the story as it is set out in the near-future.

The story reminds us of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to a certain extent. In the story, Wade is poor, and he leverages computer reality dubbed as OASIS as a way to uplift from the misery. The virtual world consists of keys that will lead the player to the prize – the game creator’s fortune. Wade discovers the three keys and further partners with online companies to find the rest of the keys that will give him control of the OASIS.

The only problem is that he faces competition from major corporations that will do anything to gain control of the virtual world. Ready Player One makes for a great read as the storyline is unique and gripping, compelling the reader to turn pages after pages or should I push to the next level.

21 – Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Cryptonomicon is a novel that is written by Neal Stephenson. At the time, the idea of a crypto economy was just a work of fiction, but it has become a reality in today’s world. We now live in a world where cryptocurrencies have become part of our economy one way or the other.

Stephenson’s novel is set out in two different periods. The first one is during World War II were a group of codebreakers from the Allies of World War II that partnered with Government Code and Cypher School. In the second period, the descendants of these coders who use the cryptologic and computer tech to create a dark market data haven. Their primary goal is to facilitate the transfer of electronic money without being detected. Their long term plan is to use it to order mass genocide.

The fiction is more believable today as we already live in a world where cryptocurrencies exist. Many allege it to be used in the dark web market, while there are positive advocates of the same. Stephenson’s contemporary techno-thriller is a must-read for all those that love computer technology and cyberpunk genre. The story’s frequent jump from past to present, secrets and technology make it one of the best cyberpunk sci-fi books.

22 – Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold

Falling Free is a sci-fi novel written by Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold is one of the very few writers in the genre that has won major literature awards multiple times, including for the Falling Free that won the Hugo. Her other works include the Vor Game and Mirror Dance that won the Hugo as well. The space opera is packed with unparalleled quality of character writing. The series follows the story of Miles Vorkosigan – a boy that has a brilliant mind but has a crippled body.

Even with his physical limitations, he slowly rises to power with his genius strategy and his way to deal with life. Although Miles has a beautiful mind, he still has to deal with prejudice at an emotional level due to the physical inabilities.

The most gripping part of the story is that proportion at which it mixes, politics, comedy, and tragedy. The novel is perfect as it is full of action, romance, and even adventure that can take your mind into the fantasy world. The book was published in 1988 but still seems fresh and is very entertaining even in today’s time

23 – Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

Solaris is a 1961 novel written by Polish writer and trained Physician Stanislaw Lem. The novel was published in English in the year 1970. Lem’s novel focuses on human’s incapability to understand extraterrestrial intelligence. Science fiction has been popular for a century, and most English speaking nations are only aware of those sci-fi works that are published in English.

However, Solaris is one of the very few novels that acclaimed high degree of stature in the science fiction genre. The concept of the book is fascinating and beautiful, illustrated by Lem. The novel is about a Solaris planet that revolves around an alien planet.

The novel gets interesting when humans learn that the ocean on the planet is a single living organism. However, they do not understand and have no clue how they can communicate with it. More so, what humans don’t know is that the ocean(single organism) is also noticing human behavior. It does not stop there; the water body transforms its guilty beliefs into actual figures that haunt scientists of the planet.

24 – Neuromancer by William Gibson

Neuromancer is one book that no one must miss if sci-fi books are your favorite read. The 1984 book is one of the most acclaimed literature in the cyberpunk genre. William Gibson’s modern style of writing attracted to the subgenre and also made the book a monumental work of sci-fi.

It is the first-ever book in history to win the top three highest honors of literature Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Awards. The book is well known to give terms such cyberspace and became influential in the modern world of the internet. The concept of cyberpunk had already developed before Gibson’s book.

But no one would disagree that Neuromancer is one book that brought sci-fi genre to the level that it is today.

The book surrounds an underground hacker dubbed Case who is given drugs so that he does not access the Matrix. Meanwhile, the second lead of the story is street samurai who hopes to leverage Case’s services in exchange for treating him. At the time, AI’s are banned, but somehow they both have to battle a powerful AI. The book has the perfect proportion of computer tech, fiction, and drama.

25 – Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is a sci-fi novel with a central theme of the military. It is the inaugural book of John Scalzi and was nominated for the reputed Hugo Award. The Novel is part of the series of novels by the same name. It sequel include The Ghost Brigades, The Last Colony and Zoe’s Tale.

The Old Man’s War is a book where Humans are no more dominant on Earth. The book has everything from aliens, space war, and a hint of human emotion. It surrounds the idea that inhabitants of Earth battle aliens for other planets. The name of the books comes from the notion that Earthlings and Americans can only join the army after turning seventy-five years old. The universe is filled with several other aliens and species.

So the protagonists and the human race must learn to fight aliens in the scarce space to ensure they have a sustainable life. Therefore, the story encircles around the protagonist’s journey of learning various styles of battle techniques to fight the aliens.

The Old Man’s War also covers ideas such as modern technologies such as nanotechnology and DNA that help them gain speed and endurance.

The above are the top 25 best sci-fi books ever. Well, the list is too short for all the fantastic literature that has been punished till now. But our effort has been to cover maximum subgenres and include most of the popular science fiction novels.