Today I want to share a challenge with you all: my definitive list of science fiction reads! They are books I feel every sci-fi fan should read at least once in their lifetime, and as well as creating a challenge for myself I hope that it can be challenge for some of you too. Although I already have a Top Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Challenge, I wanted to create one that reflected all different types of science fiction, including Young Adult. So it will actually be a mix of books I’ve loved, books I really feel I should read because they’re considered classics, and some titles that might often be overlooked, as well as some books that I’ve heard a lot of good things about.
If you’d like to join in, feel free! I’ll be keeping track of my progress too, on a separate post. Don’t forget to check out the schedule for the rest of today’s posts. You can also Tweet about the event using the hashtag #RRSciFiMonth.
‘Classic’ science fiction
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
- Foundation by Isaac Asimov
- The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard
- The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
- The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
- The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
- Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
- I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.
- Ringworld by Larry Niven
- The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
- A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon
- Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
- Twenty-thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
- The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
- The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
- The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
Newer science fiction
- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Attwood
- The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
- Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
- Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
- Guardians of Paradise by Jaine Fenn
- Neuromancer by William Gibson
- The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
- Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
- Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
- Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- Mockingbird by Walter Tevis
Young Adult science fiction
- Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Breathe by Sarah Crossan
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Earth Girl by Janet Edwards
- Legend by Marie Lu
- Cinder by Melissa Meyer
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- Across the Universe by Beth Revis
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
- What’s Left Of Me by Kat Zhang
Rinn Reads 
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!! Another reading challenge I’m finding it difficult to pass up!Let’s see, I’ve read 5 of your classics (and another 5 are already on my tbr). I’ve read ONE of your list of newer books (and 3 are already on my tbr). I’ve read 5 of your YA list, and another couple are on my list. That’s a LOT I still have to read, lol! Great post, Rinn! 😀
Hehe, and I’ll have more to add next year… eep! I wanted to make a list that was more about what I wanted to read, rather than just sticking to the ‘classics’, and I thought why not make it a challenge for others to join if they wish?Thanks! =)
I’ve read more of the older stuff than the newer! I need to fix that. For some reason Fantasy reads gets more of my time when it comes to YA. I’m glad you put Hitchhiker’s Guide in your list! And since it’s at the top you should read it right away. 😀
I think there’s more YA fantasy out there to be honest. Haha – it looks like Dune will come first, it’s currently winning my book group poll for next month ;D
I’ve read 3 of the classics, 1 of the newer and 1 of the YA 🙂 I’ll deffo have to set up a challenge!!
Yes! Maybe I could add it to the book group?
Great list RinnLots of oldies that I remember fondly. Newer books, some of which I’ve read, some I’m interested in reading. And 1/2 the YA books I’m reading or finished. Good luck. Have you ever looked at Terry Pratchett’s Discworld? He’s fantasy, with a classic bent. I love to read his works.
Yep, I love Discworld – Mort is my favourite! =)
I’ve been searching for a good sci-fi list and this one looks pretty good and diverse! I may make some changes of my own to the list (less YA and more Russian sci-fi probably) so I’m not sure if it’s okay to be a part of this challenge still? But great list Rinn!
Oh no that’s fine, Riv! Maybe I’ll add some of your edits, haha =) Thanks!
Okay great 🙂 I’ve just finished my list and added the link as well. That was fun to go through (I made about ten changes I think) and can’t wait to read some more sci-fi 🙂
Ooh some great additions =)
This list looks awesome! I love science fiction, but I’m admittedly not very “well-read” when it comes to this genre. Thanks for the great list, I can’t wait to start reading these books! Cait @ Book Love
I’m glad it’s captured your interest! Let me know how you get on =)
I’ve linked my own list! Yours was so inspirational, that I’ve added some of my own favourites there 🙂
Brilliant, I’ve just taken a look =D
Great list! I’ve read 8 out of your classic list and there are several more that I would like to get to at some point.
Which have you read? =)
I, Robot and the Foundation trilogy (LOVE me some Asimov), Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Dune, I Am Legend, Ringworld, A Princess of Mars, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Outside of the last one, which I thought was okay but too long winded with too little happening, I would recommend them all. They each are different and have different things going for them but all are books I have or would re-read.