We've also made sure to highlight books from authors of color, female authors, LGBTQIA+ authors, and authors from various countries and backgrounds, dispelling the myth that science fiction is only written for and by cis white males.įrom comical takes on the genre like 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' to controversial titles like 'Starship Troopers' to classics like H.G. We've included books that fall under the hard sci-fi, cyberpunk, space opera, aliens, and utopia/dystopia categories while steering clear of books that are strictly fantasy (think 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter').

Using sources like Goodreads, Amazon, and The New York Times Best Seller list, we've identified 100 books that had a powerful impact on readers.

In light of that, Stacker has rounded up 100 of the best science fiction novels of all time.

Reading science fiction, and grappling with issues like AI replacing entire classes of workers, is an excellent way to help us determine how we really feel before we deal with the same issues in real life.įiction can be a powerful tool for helping individuals navigate the real world. He went on to argue that sci-fi writing, which has long been seen as nothing more than a little bit of lighthearted fun, will shape society's understanding of things like artificial intelligence and biotechnology more than any other sort of writing. In 2018, while making an appearance on the ' Geek's Guide to the Galaxy' podcast, Yuval Noah Harari, author of 'Sapiens' and 'Homo Deus,' said that he believes science fiction to be the most important artistic genre in today's world.

Best military space opera books