Our Science Fiction Octoberfest is coming to a close. The last post will be up tomorrow. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed hosting the event. For our last sci fi-related TT this month, I’m focusing on books. Here’s a list of the top thirteen science fiction novels as listed at Sci Fi Lists.
1…. Dune by Frank Herbert, 1965
2…. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, 1985
3…. Foundation by Isaac Asimov, 1951
4…. Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, 1979
5…. 1984 by George Orwell, 1949
6…. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, 1961
7…. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 1954
8…. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, 1950
9…. Neuromancer by William Gibson, 1984
10…. Ringworld by Larry Nevin, 1970
11….2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, 1968
12….Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein, 1959
13….Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1932
So, what do you think? Any you would add or take off? Any books written from 2000 onwards that you think should make the list?
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Hi Gabriella,
my TT this week is about books as well, and I find some of my favourites on your list, too
Happy TT!
Julia
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Excellent list. Dune is in my Top 5 of All Time.
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1, 2, & 4 would definitely be on my list too.
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1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 would all be on my list. Unfortunately my sci-fi reading has suffered greatly over the last years as urban fantasy and paranormal romance kidnapped me to parts unknown.
Stranger in a Strange Land is one I’ve recently been searching for again since I can’t find my copy and wanted to reread it. A great deal has changed in my life since I last read it and I wanted to see what other insights I gleaned from it with new life experiences to tint my perception.
That has always been the most wonderful thing about science fiction, it bear the capacity to mean different things at different times in our lives and to take us different places even when we feel we already know the secrets of the journey.
Great TT,
~X
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6 & 9 would be on mine, that’s all.
No Ursula LeGuin? Ack! No Connie Willis? Ack, ack! No Andre Norton? GACK!
No Neal Stephenson? No Phillip K. Dick?! Damn. clearly I need to make a list.
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Dune, yes! Love that series! I became addicted to it when I read back …when I was 15. *wg*
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Great list.
Despite being a Heinlein fan, I’d disagree about Stranger. Not the masterpiece that most people think it is. There are better Heinlein works than ST also.
Those seem to be his most well know novels but they aren’t his best, which is unfortunate. Readers who read these and don’t care for them may not read his other works.
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I’ve never been a big Sci Fi fan, but some of these look like they might be worth checking out. Thanks for broadening my horizons. Happy T13!
Mine’s up http://adellelaudan.blogspot.com
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Wow, I’ve actually read most of these!
And my 13-year-old says I can borrow his copy of Dune… as soon as he persuades his brother to read it. (he knows about the black hole that my TBR pile sometimes becomes)
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Almost but not quite entirely unlike tea!
Great list =)
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I would add H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, anything by Jules Verne.
Great list–I’ve read many of them…saw the movie for a few more (pathetic–must read more!)
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‘Dune’ is one of the most influential books in my life journey. It actually made me rethink conventional religion. All to the good, of course. As for the rest, as more of a film person, I haven’t read these but I have enjoyed the film versions of them:
‘Hitch Hiker’, ‘1984′, ‘Farenheit’, ‘2001′ and ‘Starship Troopers’.
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I didn’t like Neuromancer. Gibson can build worlds but he sucks at plot and characterization. Happy TT.
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Okay, here’s the problem. We need some Dick on there — Philip K, that is. But who do you take off????
I agree with your list. You’ve got some of my faves on here. And I’m glad you didn’t bow to the pressure to add Snow Crash! A lot of people think that absolutely NEEDS to be included. I’m not one of them.
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You really know where your towel’s at!
I have read several of those: 4, 5, 7,8, 11 and 13.
The only Heinlein I have read is Starman Jones, which I read when I was about 12 and still have.
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I’ve read 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13. And Ender’s Game is on my TBR list. Great list.
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I’m right up with you on Ender’s Game! I really, really like Orson Scott Card’s writing–which says a lot since I normally don’t go for science fiction.
I just saw on Rotten Tomatoes that he’s getting that much closer to having Ender’s be a movie.
I took a workshop from OSC this summer and wrote down a few notes. If you’re interested here’s the link:
http://golibro.com