Don’t miss any of these books that have made an impact on the development of the science fiction genre. The selection below ranges from space opera to dystopian novels.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.
Hundreds of years after the Flame Deluge, the Simplification is practiced so that anything that has to do with knowledge is shunned. The monks of Albertian Order of Leibowitz preserve scientific knowledge until man is ready again. The novel is followed by Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman.
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
The Earth is invaded by the Overlords who were gentle creatures. They brought peace at the expense of losing humanity’s identity. The story is told by three different characters over the years from the start of the invasion until the human children began to change.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
A bounty hunter named Rick Deckard, who owns a robotic sheep, is looking for six androids that had escaped to Earth. He met one of these androids when she failed an empathy test.
Dune (Dune Series) by Frank Herbert
Heir Paul Atreides tries to take control of the planet Arrakis. It is a highly contested planet because it’s the source of the substance melange. Dune is part of the six-book series of the same title.
Ender’s Game (Ender’s Game Series) by Orson Scott Card
After the humans faced previous wars against the buggers, the International Fleet was established to train children with exceptional intelligence to become commanders. One of these geniuses, Ender Wiggin, enters Battle School.
The Forever War (The Forever War Series) by Joe Haldeman
Humans and Taurans had been at war for some time. William Mandella was among those conscripted. He went back to Earth only two years after his first mission but found that decades have passed in his home. Mandella re-enlists because he felt a stranger.
Foundation (Foundation Series) by Isaac Asimov
Foundation features five different stories about the institute, called Foundation, which aims to preserve civilizations after the collapse of the Galactic Empire.
Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos) by Dan Simmons
The story is told by different characters from across timelines. Humans have conquered space. One of these worlds was called Hyperion.
Ringworld (Ringworld and Known Space) by Larry Niven
On a supposed trip beyond Known Space, the bored Louis Gridley Wu learns about an artificial ringworld where their ship crashes after failed attempts at communication.
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
The novel is set in a conflict between the Terran Federation and the Arachnids of Klendathu. One of the soldiers, Johnny Rico, narrates his experiences with the mobile infantry and the development of his career.