The Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time

A curated list of the most influential and beloved science fiction books, featuring classic tales and hidden gems.

Cover of Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

4.3

A mind-bending epic that weaves six interconnected stories across time and space, exploring humanity's relentless pursuit of power and its c…

Cover of 1984

1984

3.8

In a world where Big Brother is always watching, Winston Smith dares to think for himself and falls in love, risking everything in a society…

Cover of Oryx and Crake

Oryx and Crake

4.3

In a world where animals are strangely altered, a man named Snowman struggles to survive and care for the enigmatic Children of Crake, haunt…

Cover of The Stand

The Stand

4.5

In a world ravaged by a deadly virus, survivors face an even greater evil as a satanic force gathers followers to create a nightmarish new w…

Cover of Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go

4.2

In a hauntingly beautiful tale, Kazuo Ishiguro explores love, friendship, and the fragility of life through the eyes of Kathy, a woman refle…

Cover of World War Z

World War Z

4.1

Experience the chilling firsthand accounts of survivors in a decade-long battle against the undead, as humanity fights for its survival in t…

Cover of Foundation

Foundation

4.2

In a sprawling Galactic Empire on the brink of collapse, a brilliant scientist devises a radical plan to preserve human knowledge and cultur…

Cover of The Martian

The Martian

4.5

Stranded alone on Mars, an astronaut must use his ingenuity and humor to survive against all odds in this gripping tale of isolation and per…

Cover of 1Q84

1Q84

3.8

A dual narrative set in a dystopian world where reality shifts and the past looms large, following an assassin and a writer entangled in a m…

Cover of Hyperion

Hyperion

4.0

A masterpiece of space opera that blends the Canterbury Tales with a futuristic universe under threat, where seven pilgrims embark on a fina…

Cover of Dhalgren

Dhalgren

3.5

A nameless young man, known only as 'the Kid,' arrives in the chaotic city of Bellona, a near-future USA with two moons, and begins writing …

Cover of Neuromancer

Neuromancer

4.0

In a neon-drenched cyberpunk future, a washed-up hacker gets one last shot at redemption in a high-stakes game against an all-powerful AI.

Cover of Red Rising

Red Rising

4.1

In a color-coded society, a Red named Darrow discovers a shocking betrayal and infiltrates the elite Gold caste to seek vengeance, in this g…

Cover of Ready Player One

Ready Player One

4.0

In a dystopian future, a young man embarks on a high-stakes treasure hunt within a virtual reality universe, filled with 80s pop culture ref…

This list compiles some of the most influential and beloved science fiction books of all time. It includes classic tales that have shaped the genre, as well as hidden gems that offer unique perspectives and imaginative worlds. From dystopian futures to interstellar adventures, these books explore themes of human nature, technology, and the unknown. Whether you're a longtime fan of sci-fi or new to the genre, this list provides a comprehensive guide to the best that science fiction has to offer. Dive into these captivating stories and discover the boundless possibilities of the imagination.

Source: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/best-sci-fi-books