This page is meant to cover the basics works and stellar pieces of science fiction literature. While the bulk of Science Fiction is trashy genre-work there are genuine masterpieces. The purpose of this article is to illustrate those masterpieces as best as possible. As always however, this list is imperfect and always growing. If there is anything missing please add to it. If there is a work you think is missing, feel free to add it.
A Science Fiction / mystery novel set on earth some 3 millennia in the future. The overall plot features the dealings of a detective and his highly intelligent android partner.
288
The Complete Robot
Isaac Asimov
A collection of 31 of Isaac Asimov's short stories, they share a theme of the interaction of humans, robots and morality, and put together tell a larger story of Asimov's fictional history of robotics. Includes the story "Runaway" which outlines Asimov's laws of Robotics.
496
The Gods Themselves
Isaac Asimov
The main plotline is a project by aliens who inhabit a parallel universe (the para-Universe) with different physical laws from this one. By exchanging matter with Earth, they seek to exploit these differences in physical laws. The exchange of matter provides an alternative source of energy in their dying Universe. However, the exchange of physical laws will have consequences.
304
The Foundation Trilogy
Isaac Asimov
678
The Naked Sun
Isaac Asimov
Another Science Fiction/Mystery Novel that features a protagonist who manages to circumvent the laws of robotics in order to have his wife murdered.
288
Arthur C. Clarke
Title
Author
Description
Pages
Book Cover
2001: A Space Odyssey
Arthur C. Clarke
It's 2001. I shouldn't have to give an introduction
320
Childhood's End
Arthur C. Clarke
Story regarding the future of mankind after the advent of a "devil-like" alien race appears and offers them a golden era of prosperity.
256
The Collected Short Stories of Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke
A Collection of nearly every short story Arthur Clarke has ever published tallying at over 100. Includes: The Nine Billions Names of God, The Sentinel, and his flash fiction "God said, 'Cancel Program GENESIS.' The universe ceased to exist."
976
The Fountains of Paradise
Arthur C. Clarke
332
Rendevous with Rama
Arthur C. Clarke
Classic book featuring mankind's encounter with the alien vessel Rama.
274
Robert Heinlein
Title
Author
Description
Pages
Book Cover
Friday
Robert Heinlein
The tale of a genetically modified female, designed to be superior physically, and mentally to normal human beings. The story follows her struggles with the prejudice against artificial humans and her attempts to assimilate.
368
Have Space Suit - Will Travel
Robert Heinlein
256
Methuselah's Children
Robert Heinlein
183
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Robert Heinlein
384
Orphans of the Sky
Robert Heinlein
224
Starship Troopers
Robert Heinlein
One of Heinlein's most famous pieces of science fiction, Starship Troopers follows the eyes of a human soldier going through the ranks in an alien war.
263
Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert Heinlein
528
Time for the Stars
Robert Heinlein
256
Early and Proto Science Fiction
Title
Author
Description
Pages
Book Cover
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Verne, Jules
426
A Journey to the Center of the Earth
Verne, Jules
256
A Voyage to Arcturus
Lindsay, David
274
Frankenstein
Shelley, Mary
328
The Invisible Man
Wells, H.G.
208
The Island of Dr. Moreau
Wells, H.G.
160
The Last Man
Shelley, Mary
352
True History
Lucian of Samosata
44
Micromegas
Voltaire
48
The Time Machine
Wells, H.G.
104
The War of the Worlds
Wells, H.G.
138
Golden Age Science Fiction
Title
Author
Description
Pages
Book Cover
A Princess of Mars
Burroughs, Edgar Rice
160
The Big Time
Leiber, Fritz
152
The Day of the Triffids
Wyndham, John
256
The Demolished Man
Bester, Alfred
256
Dorsai!
Dickson, George R.
288
The Martian Chronicles
Bradbury, Ray
288
Mission of Gravity
Clement, Hal
203
Out of the Silent Planet
Lewis, C.S.
160
Slan
van Vogt, A.E.
272
Star Maker
Stapledon, Olaf
232
Stars My Destination
Bester, Alfred
272
To Your Scattered Bodies Go
Farmer, Philip Jóse
184
Triplanetary
Smith, Edward E.
240
The Voyage of the Space Beagle
van Vogt, A.E.
224
Who?
Budrys, Algis
158
Who Goes There
Campbell Jr., John W.
168
The World of Null-A
van Vogt, A.E.
272
Modern Science Fiction
Title
Author
Description
Pages
Book Cover
A Fire Upon the Deep
Vinge, Vernor
624
A Time of Changes
Silverberg, Robert
304
The Algebraist
Banks, Iain M.
434
Babel-17
Delany, Samuel R.
158
Behold the Man
Moorcock, Michael
124
Beyond Apollo
Malzberg, Barry N.
156
Bill, the Galactic Hero
Harrison, Harry
Anti-War Military Satire
208
Blood Music
Bear, Greg
294
Camouflage
Haldeman, Joe
304
Consider Phlebas
Banks, Iain M.
544
Cryptonomicon
Stephenson, Neal
1168
Darwin's Radio
Bear, Greg
544
The Dispossessed
Le Guin, Ursula K.
400
Doomsday Book
Willis, Connie
592
Downbelow Station
Cherryh, C.J.
352
Dune
Hebert, Frank
544
Dying Inside
Silverberg, Robert
304
Ender's Game
Card, Orson Scott
352
The Faded Sun Trilogy
Cherryh, C.J.
784
Fire time
Anderson, Poul
288
Flowers for Algernon
Keyes, Daniel
324
Footfall
Niven, Larry & Pournelle, Jerry
524
The Forever War
Haldeman, Joe
384
The Forge of God
Bear, Greg
480
Gateway
Pohl, Frederik
288
Halcyon Drift
Stableford, Brian
175
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Adams, Douglas
272
Hyperion
Simmons, Dan
481
I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
Ellison, Harlan
20
Ilium
Simmons, Dan
752
The Illuminatus! Trilogy
Shea, Robert & Wilson, Robert Anton
805
Kiln People
Brin, David
336
The Left Hand of Darkness
Le Guin, Ursula K.
320
Lord Valentine's Castle
Silverberg, Robert
528
Lord of Light
Zelazny, Roger
304
Make Room! Make Room!
Harry Harrison
Soylent was neither green nor made of people in this book, which is quite a bit different (better) than the movie it spawned. This story is basically a murder mystery set in an overpopulated world. The tone of the novel paints a slightly goofy (but always sympathetic) portrait of humanity.
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