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The best sci-fi and fantasy books of all time
Award-winning and life-changing books that sci-fi and fantasy lovers must read.
Published on May 10, 2023
A Clockwork Orange
Anthony BurgessAs much a high school curriculum staple as it is the subject of attempted book bans, Burgess’ brutal dystopian persists as one of the most influential novels to come out of the 20th century. The themes of individual versus state, the power of misinformation, and the use of fear as a tool make it more relevant than ever.
The Time Machine
H. G. WellsWells’ iconic work of science fiction broke the mold in more ways than one back in 1895. On the fun side, it’s one of the first uses of time travel. (You’re welcome, “Doctor Who” fans.) But it’s also one of the first dystopian stories due to its exploration of social Darwinism.
Radiance
Catherynne M. ValenteValente’s alt-history-pulp-space-opera-noir novel is set in a solar system-spanning universe in which every planet has been colonized. The moon is home to Hollywood and the silent film era is in full swing (thanks to the Edison family’s tight-fisted grip on the patent process). A documentary filmmaker goes missing and her story, including the mystery of her disappearance, is pieced together in an epistolary patchwork of video diaries, depositions, letters, and movie scripts.
Red Mars
Kim Stanley RobinsonThe science fiction genre is filled with books about the colonization of planets. And then there’s “Red Mars,” the first of the “Mars” trilogy that takes readers on a dazzling journey through the settlement and terraforming of Mars. Not only does Robinson cover the scientific aspect of planetary colonization, but also helps readers view the political, ecological, psychological, and moral lenses of such a feat.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Becky ChambersChambers’ “Wayfarers” series took home the Hugo Award for Best Series. If you haven’t yet started this originally self-published, feel-good sci-fi that has won over almost anyone who’s read it, now’s the time. Fall in love with a motley crew of humans and imaginative alien creatures on this zany road trip through space.
Annihilation: A Novel
Jeff VanderMeerVanderMeer’s haunting start to the “Southern Reach Trilogy” picked up the Nebula Award and the Shirley Jackson Award upon its release and also inspired the 2018 blockbuster film. Come and see what beautiful, menacing secrets lay hidden in the uninhabited wilderness of Area X.
Good Omens
Neil GaimanPratchett and Gaiman’s collaboration is a cult classic for a reason. It’s an absurdly hilarious commentary on good vs. evil, nature vs. nurture, and the true meaning of free choice. If you’re a fan of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy'' and haven’t yet read “Good Omens,” you’ll want to check it out.
Contact
Carl SaganSagan published over 600 scientific papers and 20 books, yet only one work of fiction. It’s for good reason “Contact” deserves a place on this list. In a way only an astrophysicist and planetary scientist can, Sagan deftly explores the reality of intelligent extraterrestrial life and the relationship between science and religion.
Childhood's End
Arthur C. ClarkeClarke, one of the most influential figures of 20th-century science fiction, authored over 50 books that garnered numerous awards and honors. One of his favorite works, “Childhood’s End,” most definitely deserves a place on this list. The sudden appearance of alien spaceships brings the space race to a screeching halt, and the extraterrestrial sentient life forms vow to bring peace to Earth. As a new Golden Age begins, it’s clear that peace will come at a cost.
The Echo Wife
Sarah GaileyGeneticist Evelyn Caldwell is on top of the world thanks to her proprietary cloning technology. That is, until she discovers that her philandering husband has not only stolen her tech but also cloned and replaced her. Murder, an unlikely alliance, and a juicy cover-up ensue.
Witchmark
C. L. PolkSet in a fantasy world reminiscent of Edwardian England, an ex-soldier-turned-doctor attempts to discover the cause of a mysterious illness among his patients. Polk’s fantasy blends elements of history, murder mystery, and romance.
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Charles YuCalling all quantum physics and time-travel story-loving nerds! This postmodern science fiction novel is definitely for you. Every sci-fi trope receives a hilarious spin in this existential crisis of a novel.
This Is How You Lose The Time War
Amal El-MohtarThis Hugo Award-winning novella contains the chaos of time and space within its beautifully short, never-ending love story. Two women, Red and Blue, fight for opposing factions in the ceaseless time war, flowing from the past to the future, from timeline to timeline. Through a series of letters sent via tea and lava and other delightful delivery systems, Red and Blue fall for each other, and combine for some of the best purple prose around.
1984
George OrwellOriginally published in 1949, Orwell’s work is, arguably, the pinnacle of all dystopian novels. It recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to the proliferation of the Orwellian phrase “alternative facts” and the realization that the collection of big data means Big Brother is definitely always watching you.
The Left Hand of Darkness
Ursula K. Le GuinThe most famous of Le Guin’s “Hainish Cycle,” this is the book that put Le Guin on the map as one of the biggest science fiction writers of our time. “The Left Hand of Darkness” won both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards.
The Poppy War: A Novel
R. F. KuangKuang won the Hugo Award for the Best New Science Fiction Writer in 2020. In “The Poppy War” (the first installment in a dark fantasy trilogy), she reimagines China’s history through the experiences of a peasant girl who gains entry into an elite military training academy, and discovers she has shamanic powers.
Kindred
Octavia E. ButlerYou can’t go wrong with anything by the Queen of Afrofuturism, but a good place to start is “Kindred,” one of many treasures from the godmother of science fiction. A young Black woman travels back and forth in time between 1970s California and a pre-Civil War plantation in a story that’s foundational for feminist, sci-fi/fantasy, and Afrofuturism works.
Frankenstein
Mary ShelleyThis is the fabled story of the OG mad scientist-created monster. Equally horrific and misunderstood, Dr. Frankenstein’s (and Shelley’s) creation causes utter chaos everywhere he goes as he attempts to exist in a world that doesn’t accept him. Published in 1818, this book has inspired countless adaptations, including a London play mounted just five years after its publication. It’s no wonder Shelley is widely regarded as the mother of science fiction.
The Bone Clocks
David MitchellThis sprawling, award-winning story from Mitchell, one of the most gifted writers of his generation, takes you through decades of Holly Sykes’ difficult, beautiful, magical, and ultimately dystopian life. A wild ride with apocalyptic ends.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis CarrollThis timeless fantasy novel from 1865 about a young girl falling asleep and traveling to Wonderland where nothing makes sense feels oddly comforting in a time when, well, nothing seems to make sense. Enjoyable for children and adults alike, Carroll’s classic tale filled with fantastical adventures will have you falling down the rabbit hole in no time.
The Lord Of The Rings: One Volume
J.R.R. TolkienImmerse yourself in Tolkien’s epic fantasy saga and follow the adventures of dwarves, hobbits, men, and elves as they seek to destroy the Ring while fending off the evil forces of Sauron. If you haven’t read this iconic series, there’s no better time than now to get lost in a tale of hobbits and wizards. If you have, revisiting Middle Earth sounds pretty good, right? You can even take a stab at learning Elvish.
The Grace of Kings
Ken LiuAn epic adventure pairing two unlikely allies who join to topple an emperor, but end up on opposing sides of the next conflict. Shapeshifting gods, magic, and legends inspired by East Asian and Polynesian mythology make for an ambitious, sprawling fantasy.
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (The "Good Parts" Version)
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (The "Good Parts" Version)
William GoldmanFans of Rob Reiner’s beloved film adaptation will find the same swashbuckling charm, humor, and romance — and Inigo Montoya — in the original novel. This tale remains a classic, not only for its colorful characters but also its unforgettable adventures, humor that ranges from silly to satirical, and important life lessons: “Life isn’t fair” but despite this, we can always find joy, love, humor, and friendship.
A Hero Born: The Definitive Edition
Jin YongHistorical fiction meets wuxia fantasy (wuxia is the martial arts hero genre of Chinese fiction) in this wildly popular epic, beloved by generations of Chinese readers (and published in English for the first time in 2018). Set in ancient China during the era of Ghengis Khan, “A Hero Born” features kingdoms clashing in bloody battles for power, kung fu as magic, and the fate of the masses resting in the hands of an unlikely hero. According to the New Yorker, “[Yong’s] work, in the Chinese-speaking world, has a cultural currency roughly equal to that of ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Star Wars’ combined.”
Watership Down: A Novel
Richard AdamsEnter the rich, anthropomorphized life of a colony of bunnies on their harrowing journey as they flee a warren doomed by the invasion of man. As they seek greener pastures to call home, their journey is fraught with perils at every turn as they face enemies of all sorts.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
Salman RushdieRushdie’s timeless adventure story will satisfy those drawn to classic fantasy tales such as “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Alchemist.” Great for children and adults alike, readers will see a bit of themselves in Haroun, the titular hero who must restore his father’s lost gift for storytelling.
Tigana
Guy Gavriel KayKay assisted the Tolkien family with the publication of “The Silmarillion” and his influence from the “The Lord of the Rings” saga is apparent in his epic fantasy, “Tigana.” As the once-prosperous land of Tigana struggles against the rule of a brutal king, rebel heroes must rise up to restore their people’s rightful place as masters of their own destiny.
Outlander
Diana GabaldonIt’s hard to categorize this genre-bending time-traveling historical romantic adventure, but one description is undeniable: It’s a total page-turner. You may have heard tell of the steamy sex scenes thanks to the Netflix adaptation — and while yes, there is sex, and it is steamy — it’s hardly the whole story. The love Jamie and Claire share is truly epic, worthy of the centuries and continents the story spans to tell of it.
Brown Girl in the Ring
Nalo HopkinsonHopkinson seamlessly blends science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and Afro-Caribbean magic realism to produce a truly original novel. Set in the not-so-distant future, Toronto has turned into a hellish land filled with poverty, despair, and the wealthy elite who prey on the bodies of the desperate and the helpless. Ti-Jeanne must turn to her roots and call upon ancient practices and gods to protect herself and her family.
The Name of the Wind
Patrick RothfussThere’s something oddly comforting about intricate and long epic fantasies. Rothfuss’ masterpiece took the fantasy world by storm with his lyrical prose, the seeming boundlessness of the world, and the endearing faults and follies, kindness, and cunning of the legendary Kvothe.
A Stranger in Olondria: a novel
Sofia SamatarSamatar’s debut novel is filled with lush prose and rich, descriptive details. Jevick, a young writer, is elated to have the chance to take his father’s place on his annual trip to Olondria. However, his dream of visiting the fantastical, far-off land is quickly replaced with horror as he becomes an unwilling pawn in a power struggle between two of Olondria’s most powerful cults.
All the Birds in the Sky
Charlie Jane AndersA high-tech and purely magical pre-apocalyptic love story from transgender author Charlie Jane Anders. Patricia Delfine is a budding witch while Laurence Armstead is a science nerd. Their misfit status seems to be the only thing they have in common. When the world needs saving, their methods for tackling the problem appear antagonistic, but they end up falling in love with each other. “All the Birds in the Sky” won the Nebula Award and was shortlisted for a Hugo.
The Black Tides of Heaven
Neon YangTIME Magazine named “The Black Tides of Heaven” among the 100 best fantasy books of all time. Twins Akeha and Mokoya are sent by their mother to live in a faraway monastery. Initially inseparable, the twins begin to take diverging paths as they grow into their magical abilities and individual identities. Their choices and allegiances will put their bond to the test as they find themselves on opposing sides of a struggle for power.
Trail of Lightning
Rebecca RoanhorseRoanhorse brings Navajo folktales to life in this electrifying novel about the apocalypse brought on by climate change. Searching for a missing girl, monster hunter Maggie Hoskie must battle witchcraft, as well as the ancient gods and monsters of old who walk the earth once again.