My 25 Favourite Sci-Fi Books of All Time

[@WordsinTime]

These are my favourite sci-fi books based on my enjoyment. There are other amazing books that deserve to be on a "greatest" list but I didn't want to recreate a list similar to many you've seen before. This list is just specific to my reading taste. Let me know some sci-fi books that you love!

[@darbyl3872]

Project Hail Mary is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. I think readers from outside the sci-fi fandom would enjoy it.

[@WordsinTime]

Agreed! I’m glad you loved it too!

[@berserkerviking1]

And they are making a movie of it! Starring Ryan Gosling. www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=project+hail+mary+movie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[@Yesica1993]

Cheers to Jonathan for going all the way to outer space to film this video for us!

[@WordsinTime]

Haha we went over budget on this one 🚀

[@HakimALIGHT]

Lots of amazing books in your list!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed them too!

[@tgibridays]

Love the suit! So many books I need to try out.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha glad you liked it!

[@Spencer_Beard]

Channels like yours really helped reinvigorate my love of reading sci-fi. I'm the past 14 months I've read 17 total stories (novels and shorts), "Hyperion" is my favorite so far

[@WordsinTime]

@@Spencer_Beard That’s awesome! I’m glad I’ve helped you find some sci-fi to enjoy!

[@TowerBooks3192]

Perfect timing! I will be going to the city tomorrow and do my usual weekend book shopping and I am trying to expand my SciFi library.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome, I hope you find some great books!

[@RedFuryBooks]

It's great to see your list! And I'm excited that both Hyperion and Cat's Cradle are up for me soon!

[@WordsinTime]

I hope you like them as much as I did!

[@beethoven2351]

Wow! What an interesting list! I loved the sheer scope of your selections (from 1818 to the present). Your selections cover the 40's. 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's 2000's, and 2010 to the present. It shows you've been reading a whole lot of books, and they're balanced between classical and modern sci-fi. My top 25 contains more classic sci-fi books, including Brave New World, The Left Hand of Darkness, Fahrenheit 451, Dune, and others. But I love the fact that you included More Than Human, one of my most beloved books. Good work!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the kind words! Some of the books you mentioned were closing to making my top 25. I’m glad you also loved More Than Human!

[@dalejones4322]

Wool hoooo!!!! I'm so glad you did this list. The video is so well made. The suit was a great idea and Charlie coming in was great too. I have to admit I've been waiting for this video since I found your channel and it didn't disappoint. I have already added a couple of books from it to my TBR. I can see me referring back to it several times so I'm saving it. Great job Jonathan. I hope it gets a million views

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks so much for all the awesome support Dale! I’m glad you enjoyed the video, I hope you like the books!

[@Paul_McSeol]

My list would be so radically different. Which is awesome because it highlights just how much great sci fi is out there. I would have included Snow Crash, Altered Carbon, Red Mars, and maybe starship Troopers. And you mentioned a few I really need to put on my TBR. Wonderfully enjoyable video. Thanks so much!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it Paul! I really liked Snow Crash and I own copies of Altered Carbon and Red Mars so I’m looking forward to those!

[@bookspin]

Great list Jonathan! A lot of favourites for me in there, plus you've got me pumped for some TBR books I haven't got round to yet, like Flowers for Algernon, Spin and Ubik.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy them!

[@swajams]

love the review orange space man

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I appreciate it 🧡

[@arimaboating5903]

Thanks again for recommending House of Suns! I was pleased to see it made number 1 on this list.

[@WordsinTime]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it too!

[@berserkerviking1]

I read House of Sun's recently and it was great. Alastair Reynolds has a unique knack of delivering stories that excel in all of Jonathan's criteria need for a great sci fi book: characters, story and sci fi ideas. He also is great at writing stories with huge, galactic scope. He exhibited the same in "Revelation Space." I'm looking forward to reading more from him

[@BookishChas]

Awesome video Jonathan! I definitely need to read more PKD, and Childhood’s end is on my list too. I’m glad you had Hyperion on here, so that I could approve of the video. 😂

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks! Glad I could deliver Chas!

[@ianthereader]

Wow, what a video! Excited to dive in!

[@ianthereader]

Also, love the suit. 😂

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks Ian, glad you enjoyed!

[@thomaswrites]

This gives me a lot of books to add to my TBR. 😅 Keep up the good work! The Road, Frankenstein, and 1984 are definitely among my favorites as well! I would also say that Starship Troopers, The Forever War, Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles are also among my favorites.

[@WordsinTime]

The battle with the TBR continues! I really enjoyed The Forever War and Fahrenheit 451. Looking forward to The Martian Chronicles!

[@Greenslime300]

Fall of Hyperion (mild spoilers), my favorite chapter was when Gladstone goes for a walk around the Hegemony, visiting several planets and contemplating what's about to happen. In a sense, nothing happens, but it's written so beautifully

[@WordsinTime]

Gladstone is a great character!

[@BL-mf3jp]

And she ends up on the moon. Great chapter. My favorite is the one where Ummon kills Keats.

[@secretsauceofstorycraft]

Woah! That outfit is makin me jealous! What a cute idea! Also couldnt have predicted some of these which made for a fun list!! I know how hard it is to make these and it turned out wonderful!!!

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I’m glad you enjoyed it Whitney! It was a big undertaking but a lot of fun! 🧑‍🚀

[@mikesnyder1788]

Three cheers for your including Theodore Sturgeon's "More than human" (9:18) in your listing of favorite SF books. Sturgeon excelled in writing short stories so those who read novels only are not likely to include him on their TBR's. "More than human" is fairly "soft" science fiction although he writes a delightful short scene (in the Fabulous Idiot third of the novel?) of the protagonist inventing a super gravity defying machine to extricate a farmer's tractor that is stuck in cement like mud. I really enjoyed that little scene!

[@mikesnyder1788]

Correction: The anti gravity machine is featured in section three of the novel, "Morality."

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it too Mike! I really enjoyed the way it explored the social sciences but also gave us a few sci-fi nuggets as well!

[@baconeggburger6826]

Great list! Greg Bears Eon,Aldiss Non Stop and Sherri Teppers Grass would be in my top 10 list.There are so many great books out there.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I own a copy of Non-Stop, which I’m looking forward to, and Bear is on my TBR. I’ll have to check out Grass!

[@Dunkeyhote]

Really good reviews! You are a man of taste

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I appreciate it, glad you enjoyed!

[@KingCrusoe]

Only 2 of these books have I read all the way through, but it's super interesting to see which of these you recommended to me and where they place in accordance :D

[@WordsinTime]

Let me know what you try next!

[@jefffenton5932]

Nice suit. Nice list. I just started The Dark Forest two days ago! Too much on the TBR. 😊

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks Jeff! Happy to help wage the war on the never ending TBR!

[@doncourter7164]

Great list! In a future video, can you discuss the popular books and authors that didn't make the list and explain why. For example Dune, A Fire Upon the Deep, Forever War, Isaac Asimov, Ursula Le Guin, Alfred Bester, etc.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Don! Some of those were really close to making the list. Too many good sci-fi books, not enough spots!

[@dmdanimal]

@@WordsinTime My list would be 50% Kurt Vonnegut lol. OSC is cancelled to me and Ender's Game was my fav book as a child.

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

Did you know that Baxter and Reynolds have a collaboration? It is called "The Medusa Chronicles" and is the sequel to a short story by Clarke.

[@robertjbroadhurst3860]

And I didn’t find it a match on the original. Ymmv

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve heard of it but haven’t read it. Hope you liked it!

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

@@robertjbroadhurst3860 yeah, it quite exceeds the original

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

so happy to hear and a little surprised you read the road one of my favs by that author who recently passed away have got blindsight and looking forward to reading it along with dying inside⚛

[@WordsinTime]

It was a heavy book! I hope you enjoy those two, although they are both somewhat bleak as well!

[@Jearrod]

I just read my first sci-fi book house of suns.. im scared i started at the very top and nothing will be able to live up to it. I’m so excited to get into the genre now house of suns is an incredible work of art

[@WordsinTime]

@@Jearrod Haha that’s an amazing place to start but there’s many great sci-fi books so I’m sure there’s lots more you’ll enjoy!

[@redfoot2]

Love your list! Whenever I list mine, I always specify "MY" favorites so it's not misinterpreted as me saying "these are the best ever and if you don't agree, you are dumb and wrong" 🤣 that being said I'd love to give you my top 5! 1) A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge 2) Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks 3) The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks 4) Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny 5) Earth Abides by George R. Stewart

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I’m glad you enjoyed! The Player of Games is great and I need to read Earth Abides!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Epic video! I’ve read a few of the most famous ones on here but can’t wait to get to the lesser known ones!!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Benghis! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

[@TuftyMcTavish]

💫 “Ring”’s appearance on this list makes me grin broadly 😁 I’m going to have to do a re-read! great outfit though 😆

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks! And I appreciate you recommending Ring!

[@YourQueerGreatAuntie]

Another great video that had me counting hits on one hand and adding to the TBR with the other!! I've read 10 of the 25, and a lot of the others are on the TBR, largely because of your reviews. I have now read More Than Human by Sturgeon and was pleasantly surprised. I'm used to derogatory language, but it all felt contextually right in this story - reflecting the attitudes of characters rather than those of the author. I felt the resolution was a very interesting reflection on some current concepts in Disability Justice, particularly around interdependence. So I'm glad I tried it despite my hesitation! The writing is exquisite, and I felt that the author was genuinely trying to inhabit the experiences of characters utterly different to himself. And he did so with compassion and poetry. Gives me some confidence to tackle Flowers for Algenon and Blindsight now! Hope you get back to Earth soon, or that you find a new life on Charlie's planet! (I'm imagining him in the role of Rockey)

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you had a similar experience with More Than Human! And yes, Charlie is my Rocky haha 👐

[@SciFiScavenger]

Great list! Some I've read, some I haven't. Nice upload, well done. 👌

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@ldp4250]

The video I was waiting for...thank youuuuuuu

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I’ve been working towards it for a while. Hope you enjoy it!

[@ldp4250]

@@WordsinTime I really enjoy it, thank you, can't believe just got House of suns, really difficult to find here in LATAM, now can't wait to read it... big hug from 🇨🇴

[@WordsinTime]

@@ldp4250 That’s great, I hope you like House of Suns!

[@daveac]

Just started your video list - and you hit a home-run at the start! 'Way Station' it's a big favourite of mine (maybe should be higher i your list) - but great start! Additional - and you end (well, it came 2nd.) another fav of mine 'Permutation City' - plus quite a wide-ranging mix in between. , some which I've read. :-)

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks! Way Station is great and a little bit under appreciated!

[@jenm8357]

These type of lists are really hard to do but so useful for your viewers! You have several books I haven't read on your list which gives me some new stuff to add to my TBR. Thanks! It's your list so I cannot disagree with anything on it but if I was making my own list of science fiction books I enjoy reading I might include The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, Who Goes There by John W. Campbell, The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Hyperion by Dan Simmons, City by Clifford Simak, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North, Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty, Wool by Hugh Howey, Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny, Earth Abides by George R. Stewart, Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress, I am Legend by Richard Matheson, 11/22/63 by Stephen King, and Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. I would also include House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys, The Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Ubik by Philip K. Dick, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Ender's Game would be at the top but I am not sure about the order of the other books. If I was allowed more than one book from each author I might add Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds and remove The Road. The Road is a great book but it is so bleak. Even though it is the book I think about the most of all the above books, I don't see myself rereading it anytime soon. So my list is the books I would reread and not necessarily the books with the greatest impact or best writing.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Jen! The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, Wool, and 11/22/63 are books I’m looking forward to!

[@jenm8357]

@@WordsinTime I think you will really like these books. They are all easy reads. The Apple TV show Silo is based on Wool and I am really enjoying it. I haven't seen the 11/22/63 adaptation yet. I thought about adding Replay by Ken Grimwood instead of Harry August. It's also good.

[@MenilikHenryDyer]

Exciting, your definitive list!

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Menilik! I’ve been working towards this one for a while!

[@doctormorbuis]

I continue to have a hard time reconciling Ender's Game (and Speaker for the Dead) with the man who wrote them. It's like he didn't understand his own books. Love them both, but it's been a while since I read them. Also happy to see More than Human remembered. I love Theodore Sturgeon and that book in particular is lovely. My favorite Sturgeon is probably his short story, "Slow Sculpture," but you weren't doing short fiction. You might consider short fiction in the future.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, it’s unfortunate when you enjoy a book but don’t support views expressed by the author. If those views were expressed in the book then I wouldn’t still be able to enjoy it, but I felt like the book itself emphasized empathy. Thanks for the story recommendation, I’ll look it up!

[@mikesnyder1788]

I totally agree with you on both counts: I cannot and will not spend a second of my time reading anything Card. And I absolutely love Theodore Sturgeon! More than human is one of my most favorite SF novels and I have read dozens of his short stories. Sturgeon could write about almost any aspect of the human and inhuman condition!!!

[@newkkl]

Slow Sculpture is the perfect short story, you could not take a word away or add a word to it. Masterpiece!

[@grol094]

Thank you for your wonderfully enthusiastically delivered and clearly very knowledgeable SF recommendation video. Notes have been taken.

[@WordsinTime]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@roberthieber1]

2001 started my journey through Clarke’s work and Sci Fi in general. Love that book!

[@WordsinTime]

I love 2001 as well!

[@Yesica1993]

It may have been my start as well. I don't remember how old I was or where I was, physically, when I was reading it. But I still remember the shock I felt when I read the following phrase. It was like a physical kick in the gut, in the best way! It's one of those things where I wish I could erase it from my mind so I could experience it anew a second time. Semi, though not full spoilers: S P O I L E R S P A C E H E R E "My God, it's full of ________ !"

[@colin1818]

It wouldn't be a "Words in Time" video without a Permutation City reference :)

[@WordsinTime]

Gotta rep Egan when I can 🇦🇺

[@mondostrat]

or Hyperion

[@colin1818]

@@mondostrat - Fall of Hyperion to be exact. Which is honestly something of a hot take. The first book (Hyperion) is almost always everybody's favorite. I know it's mine (although I enjoyed Fall also).

[@noeditbookreviews]

Awesome outfit. Man, you reminded me that I own house of suns. I really need to read that!

[@WordsinTime]

Haha thanks! 🧑‍🚀 I hope you enjoy House of Suns!

[@myusername88]

I love the list of (for me) new reads and needed rereads. Thanks for avoiding spoilers in both categories! I am new to your channel so apologies if you've addressed them but a few I would like to highlight are: Brin's Uplift Saga Hogan's Giants novels White's Sector General series. Possibly the most "humane" scifi I've read Foster's Humanx novels Final note: I've only read a couple Reynolds but am already a great fan. I look forward to House of Suns.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad it was helpful! Welcome to the channel! I have read Startide Rising and will have to check out the other books you mentioned. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Twirlip2]

Alan Dean Foster is underrated. (He's very prolific - perhaps he's thought of as a hack?) I loved "Midworld" (I seem to remember also reading, but being underwhelmed by, "The Tar-Aiym Krang", set in the same universe.) It's a long time since I read anything of his, but I think I also greatly enjoyed "The I Inside" and "The Man Who Used the Universe".

[@newkkl]

I read so many of the books on this list when I was a teen -quite some time ago now! Your take on them is right on the money. I also very much enjoy science fiction that brings into question what it is to be human, including authors Octavia Butler and Ursula K. LeGuin. I also thoroughly enjoyed the entire Expanse space opera series.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you also connected with these books! I’ve read one book each from Butler and Le Guin, and plan to read more. I also enjoyed The Expanse, with Leviathan Wakes and Tiamat’s Wrath being my favourites!

[@bartsbookspace]

I love seeing Solaris in the top 10, but I really love seeing you sweat in the astronaut suit! 😂 And hello, Charlie needs a spacesuit! Great list, I read Hyperion earlier this year and can’t wait to read The Fall of Hyperion, soon. I can’t argue with House of Suns, my top 3 SF, but where is Fire Upon the Deep!?

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I was cooking 🥵 I hope you enjoy The Fall of Hyperion!

[@jameshannagan4256]

@@WordsinTime I also liked the 3rd and 4th books as well as the two books about Mars (Illium and Olympos) and there's a book he wrote when was younger called Carrion Comfort which was awesome.

[@DJYoue]

I don't kow if I could make a list like this without too many "Oooh..! What about...?!" moments, you did a good job!

[@WordsinTime]

@@DJYoue Haha thanks! It was tricky to narrow them down!

[@lisagulick4144]

Glad to see _Ubik_ on your list. It was my first encounter with Philip K. Dick's work, and is still my favorite of his novels. Weird and wonderful!

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve read 6 of his books now and it’s still my number 1. It’s great!

[@gerardhynes5825]

Great list. I would have "A fire Upon the Deep" at no 1 and have "The Chrysalids" and "hitchers Guide-" in my top 10. Im reading The Rise of Endymion now, What a great series.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Gerard! Hitchhiker’s is great, it almost made my top 25.

[@newkkl]

Yes, A Fire Upon the Deep is an incredible book. As is A Deepness in the Sky.

[@meesalikeu]

this was just a great list, old with new with popular with less so. i gotta check out ring for sure. and i never read reynolds so house of suns it is. gracias.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy those two!

[@Jenko1_]

Just about to start your #1 pick, been loving Alastair Reynolds work

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@valeriehazel4858]

I so appreciate you creating a list based on your own reading enjoyment rather than the “greatest of all time” lists that mostly just annoy me and seem occasionally pretentious. Lots of crossover on your list to ones I also enjoyed. For myself I would have to include books by Lois McM Bujold, CJ Cherryh, Connie Willis, Charles Sheffield, Ann Leckie, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Andy Weir.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the kind words Valerie, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I own Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, which I’m looking forward to, and I’ll have to check out Charles Sheffield!

[@gregjacob83]

I've watched quite a few of these "top ten, top twenty, etc." lists and I have to say that yours would more closely align with my own than any of the other lists I've seen. I would probably have 15 of your top books on my list. I'm surprised that you listed the Fall of Hyperion over Simmons first book. Also, I was very glad to see Clifford Simak and Phillip Jose Farmer on your list. Have you read 'City'? So good. Have a great day.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you also enjoyed a lot of these books! I have read City and enjoyed it almost as much as Way Station.

[@Spencer_Beard]

I have finished 3 sci-fi books just this year (truly not a great number of books), and have started about 5 others. Hopefully I can make my personal top 20 here within a couple years. I love the first 2 books in the Hyperion Cantos, and am an apologist for the "Fall of Hyperion". I know of the mixed opinions about this book as so many readers, and fans, of the series, believe the first to be the strongest and best. I applaud you for your choice in not having "Hyperion" itself on your list, but loving the "The Fall of Hyperion" more. While for now I don't hold it in the same esteem, I do love it. Sol's story is deeply bitter sweet. Finally meeting the Ousters and seeing their society was great. The plunge into the Technocore's world, while feeling derivative by today's standards, was a great place. The ending of the book felt like a TV series' season finale and with all of the changes in the galaxy at that point. I loved it, and can't wait to start "Endymion"

[@WordsinTime]

I’m so glad you loved it too! I thought Sol’s encounter with the Shrike, and the void which binds were phenomenal! Endymion is a fun adventure and The Rise of Endymion is more slow and philosophical. I hope you enjoy them!

[@jpotter2086]

Nice mix of old friends and new :)

[@WordsinTime]

@@jpotter2086 Thanks! I try to read a range of sci-fi! 🚀

[@mariosalerno8766]

My list includes: Stranger in a strange land, Dune, Rendezvous with Rama, Solaris and finally, Roadside picnic.

[@WordsinTime]

Great choices Mario!

[@Elricsedric]

I'm trying to get into sci fi and fantasy. What would yall recommend

[@WordsinTime]

@@Elricsedric The Martian, Ender’s Game, Dark Matter, and Childhood’s End are all accessible for beginners!

[@chrisconnors7418]

I've read all of them, except for Demon in White, the Hyperion one, and House of Suns (or I read them but don't recall them now). Excellent choices, Jonathan. I like Rendezvous with Rama (Clark) as a classic SF. Don't know how it stands up to time, but when I read it I was a young teen and the story gripped me. A more recent favourite was Robots of Gotham. The author said he had sequels in mind, but nothing out yet except a title Ghosts of Navy Pier; and that was in 2018. His bio pic has him sporting a Patrick Rothfuss-style look, so I'm not eagerly awaiting the sequel in case he's emulating the Rothfuss writing schedule too. But I'll buy it soon as it comes out.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you also enjoyed these books! I’ll have to check out Robots of Gotham!

[@Yesica1993]

I adored Hyperion. I still think about it, years later. I want to say I may have read Fall of Hyperion. But... I'm not 100% sure. I vaguely remember being disappointed that the format was different? I don't remember much about it. I think my brain was still in the first book. I should have given it more time before I went on. I need to re-read both of them. I want SO MANY of these! But it seems every time I go to the library website to put a hold on something, it's not available. I've been waiting for The Children of Time for what feels like forever. I may end up just buying a cheap copy somewhere.

[@WordsinTime]

The Fall of Hyperion has a different structure so some people are disappointed but I loved it. Hope you find a copy of Children of Time!

[@eternal_napalm6442]

Fall of Hyperion is the continuation of the story from Hyperion. They are one story. The publisher made Dan Simmons split the novel.

[@guillermogarcialopez256]

Aweso list ❤

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@dqan7372]

Enjoyed this! Was super excited to see a name that didn't ring a bell--Stephen Baxter. Went to AmazonUS and what a jumble! Went to buy a collection that had Ring and it said it was in Middle English(?). Then I went for a standalone copy and it was in German. Can't find the Middle English one now, so maybe I was just tired and hallucinating? :) Maybe he just never caught on in America? AmazonUK serves him a bit better.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! That’s strange, I didn’t have too much trouble tracking down a copy of Ring. I hope you find one!

[@MacAisling]

Hey, 5 I’ve read, none on my tops list. A couple more obscure recommendations: Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny; The Iron Dragon’s Daughter by Michael Swanwick; To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis; Tea With The Black Dragon by RA MacAvoy. May be more genre bending and blending than strictly Sci-Fi, but all memorably good reads.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@arimaboating5903]

I really like Roadmarks by Zelazny!

[@WordsinTime]

@@arimaboating5903 I’ve only read Lord of Light, I’ll check out Roadmarks!

[@NevsBookChannel]

Great list! But no Asimov or Neal Stephenson?

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! Foundation and Snow Crash just missed the top 25.

[@NevsBookChannel]

@@WordsinTime have you read Anathem?

[@WordsinTime]

@@NevsBookChannel Not yet, but I plan to read more Stephenson.

[@Siderite]

No mention of Accelerando, by Charles Stross?

[@WordsinTime]

I own it but haven’t read it yet.

[@Siderite]

@@WordsinTime You're in for a treat

[@Higor-bx2my]

Recommend some books from the subgenre diamond (ultra) hard sci fi.

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve only read a few really hard sci-fi books from Forward, Baxter, and Egan. I’ll have to read more!

[@paulallison6418]

Hi Mr Words, this is a good list, I have not read them all but it does contain a good blend of classic and modern SF. I'd say maybe 10 of these would make my top 100, To your scattered Bodies go, Project Hail Mary, Solaris, Frankenstein, Childhoods End, Children of Time are all favourites of mine - Fall of Hyperion, Cats Cradle, Permutation City, Spin & Dark Matter all sound good but I have not read them yet. Many people list's ignore either the classics or modern SF. On my list I would have Mote in Gods Eye, The Gods Themselves, 2001, more Clarke, more Asimov, Dune, Mission of Gravity, Battlefield Earth, SOS the Rope, more Clarke, more Asimov, Hyperion, Alistair Reynolds (Absolution Gap, Pushing Ice, Terminal World), Pandoras Star and something maybe by Iain M Banks, Player of Games maybe.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Paul! I also really enjoyed 2001 and Player of Games. I’m looking forward to reading Mission of Gravity!

[@kniknayme9865]

Cool. Now I want a space suit!

[@WordsinTime]

Haha it was fun (but hot)!

[@JohnG225]

Wow...didn't see that coming for no.1 ;) Great to see Permutation City at no.2.

[@WordsinTime]

I do my best to spread the word about Egan haha

[@veo_]

I love that you enjoy Permutation City, but have you read Diaspora, or Schlid's ladder? Diaspora specifically seems like an Ian M. Bank's Culture-like extension of permutation city to the ends of the universe. Mind BLOWN. The same with schlid's ladder but it has more to do with dissecting the standard module of particle physics. I also just read his novella SCALE which Also blew my mind. Egan is absolutely the hardest of the hard. To your scattered bodies go, and the entire river world series was one of the first bits of sci-fi I ever read. I have much fonder memories of the later novels such as magic labyrinth and The dark Tower, also the gods of riverworld, but I appreciate the you recognize such an oldie but a goody. assignment for you: John varley's Titan, Wizard, Demon. + Ophiuchi Hotline and Steel beach. David Brin: Earthclan. Vernor Vinge: A fire upon the deep, A Deepness in the sky. + Marooned in Realtime.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you also enjoy Egan and Farmer! I have not read Diaspora but I own a copy so I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for the recommendations, I have read A Fire Upon the Deep but need to check out the others!

[@berserkerviking1]

"More Than Human" is Theodore Sturgeon's masterpiece. It profoundly changed my understanding of what a sci fi book could be. A definite must read.

[@WordsinTime]

@@berserkerviking1 I’m glad you also connected with it!

[@wordfullyyours]

That is an awesome outfit lol I did a video review on Way Station. I didn't care for it enough to finish it.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha glad you liked the suit! No worries, hope you enjoy some of the other books.

[@Torsin2000]

"Seveneves" or "Anathem" or "The Diamond Age" by Neal Stephenson "Only Forward" by Michael Marshal Smith "Friday" by Heinlein

[@WordsinTime]

@@Torsin2000 Nice! I need to read more from Stephenson.

[@joethomas2354]

The Dark Forest has a different translator. I think that's why it's better. The first two books in that series are really one book in two parts; the third is the sequel. And I love that you preferred The Fall of Hyperion to the first book. I totally agree.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I think the translation might have helped my enjoyment of The Dark Forest, and there’s some great story ideas too. And I’m glad you also enjoyed The Fall of Hyperion!

[@MilanBacdro]

Finally, someone mentioned a Fall of Hyperion as the best in the series.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes! Glad someone else is on Team Fall! 🤝

[@luiznogueira1579]

I really like your list---happy to say I've read most of them(except for the most recent ones...) The only book I don't feel should be in is Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle; personally, I think it's a mess, a very unenjoyable read, for me, at least. It's supposed to be funny...ok, maybe I just didn't get the joke. I enjoyed his other books that you mentioned, as well as Galapagos, another of his 'sciencefictiony' works. One that I would've liked to see mentioned is Alfred Bester's Tiger!Tiger! It has its flaws, but definitely ahead of its time.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I agree that Cat’s Cradle is messy but I think the themes and tone were what I connected with more than the plot. Tiger! Tiger! or The Stars My Destination has some great ideas and was highly influential!

[@Doktor_Apokalypse]

I don't know if you are into short stories at all but "The Golden Bugs" by Simak, and "Beyond Lies The Wub" by PKD are great stories. Also a story by Asimov called "Thiotimoline and the Space Age" which was a story that he wrote after publishing two spoof scientific papers while he was studying for his chemistry doctorate. They are about the ficticious chemical compound Thiotimoline. The chemistry papers ended up being shared around the university chemistry department and his examiners asked him about the chemical as a final question when telling him they had accepted his dissertation 😂

[@WordsinTime]

Haha that’s a cool story. I am typically more drawn to novels than short stories, but I have enjoyed short stories from Vonnegut, Simak, Asimov etc. I plan to read Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang soon!

[@dmdanimal]

Childhood's End is the most beautiful metaphor about the younger generation moving past their parents. Feels so timely.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you connected with it as well!

[@JLchevz]

FANTASTIC video. I have so many things to read. Someone help me.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I’m glad I could help add to the never ending TBR list haha

[@jimdetry9420]

I've read some of the books on your list. Only a few would make it on mine. Here are a bunch of my favorites. The top 5 would be on my list no matter what. The rest are a wide selection in no particular order. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress--Heinlein Dune--Herbert Ringworld--Niven Foundation Trilogy--Asimov Ender's Game--Card The Tactics of Mistake--Dickson The Martian--Weir (probably the only book from the 21st century on my list) Mission of Gravity--Clement Sundiver--Brin Childhood's End--Clarke The Demolished Man--Bester The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy--Adams Emergence--Palmer The Space Merchants--Pohl/Kornbluth In the Country of the Blind--Flynn Titan--Varley True Names--Vinge Trample an Empire Down--Reynolds If not limited to one per author, there would be more Heinlein and Niven, my two favorite authors.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for sharing! A couple of these were close to making my list and I will have to check out some of the others. Mission of Gravity is high on my TBR!

[@thatfuzzypotato1877]

Your obsessive Baxter fan here to squeal with delight at how much you enjoyed Ring. I LOVE this book, top 5 for me easy. I just love the ideas with the photino birds, and the Xeelee (vague to avoid spoilers for those perusing the comments) I need to track down more of the Xeelee books past Vacuume Diagrams. Flowers for Algernon: required reading in highschool, and I remember really enjoying it. Everything about it was fascinating and heart breaking. Dark Forest: My favorite in the Rememberence trilogy, so I'm badly hoping either the Netflix adaptation goes well to get season 2, or the Chinese adaptation decides to now do Dark Forest. I know there's an anime, and I plan to check that out too. I normally strongly dislike philosophy, which this trilogy is HEAVY in. But the concepts and plot were captivating enough to keep me enthralled in spite of this. Dark Matter: This one felt like a junk food book, but I mean that in a good way. I devoured the book in like 2 sittings. I loved it, I got sucked in immediately and badly wanted the MC to acheive his goal. It feels like something that in the right hands could make a damn good TV show. Ender's Game: That ending. I shan't say more. 1984: Stresses me TF out, but I guess that means it did its job. Project Hail Mary: I think the best way to enjoy this book is to go in 100% blind. Know NOTHING so you start the story the same as the main character does and learn while he does. Also, because of one specific thing the audiobook is IMO the superior version. I loved this book, it was a ton of fun, and kept me on the edge of my seat like the Martian did. It wasn't as grounded in science, but I still gave it a 5/5 My top sci fi books: Ring, The Manifold Trilogy by Baxter, Helix and Helix War by Eric Brown, Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained by Hamilton (still mad at how bad the Void Trilogy is by comparison. Even skipping the Edeard sections completely) The Spatterjay Trilogy by Neal Asher, Ender's Game (but not the following books unfortunately), The Andromeda Strain and Sphere by Michael Crichton, and I feel like The Waste Land by Stephen King can count even if its blurs with fantasy. I'm sure this list would grow if I dug through my bookshelf more. I think I'll give Reynolds another shot. I think the fact that I was recommended Chasm City first, when big-aweful-city is a setting I personally despise, put me on the wrong foot. But that ending was grand, and reminded me of why I love Baxter. If you made it through such a long rambly comment, is there a better starting point for Reynolds you would recommend?

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you enjoyed many of these books, I’ll have to check out some of your other favourites, I started with House of Suns so perhaps that’s a good place to start because I loved it haha

[@thatfuzzypotato1877]

@@WordsinTime I happen to have thriftbooks open in a tab, I'll add it to my shopping cart

[@randalburris665]

The original Dune, is, IMO,the greatest sci fi book of all time. It is complex, incorporating elements of politics, sociology, religion, ecology, and competition over a scarce but valuable resource.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s a great description of Dune!

[@Vgallo]

Great to see Vonnegut in that list. I feel like slaughterhouse 5 should be on more lists

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you love him too! Slaughterhouse-Five is also one of my favourites!

[@jbellinger99]

Algernon is based on a PKU patient - it is a dietary disorder that all children are now tested for at birth. Uncontrolled (by diet) it can lead to mental retardation. There is no surgery, really. My son was born with it, and has led a perfectly normal life, he is intelligent and kind with a son of his own. It is a disorder caused by the inability to digest Phenylalanine, an amino acid, and part of protein. This, it's name (phenylketonuria - PKU_) Paying attention and mainaiting a low-protein diet can control it.

[@WordsinTime]

Thank you for sharing! I’m glad to hear your son is doing well❣️

[@cindywingetbooks]

I also love Ender's Game. I own House of Sons and Children of Time. I need to get to them!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved Ender’s Game! I hope you enjoy those two as much as I did!

[@dougsundseth6904]

Not a lot of overlap between your favorites and mine (Ender's Game and Flowers for Algernon are pretty much it). I'm not going to try to do a real list, but I will mention The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Neuromancer, Trading in Danger, Warrior's Apprentice, On Basilisk Station, Stand on Zanzibar, Cities in Flight, The Weapon Shops of Isher, Pandora's Planet, The Mote in God's Eye, Forever War, Hammer's Slammers, March Upcountry.

[@WordsinTime]

@@dougsundseth6904 Nice picks! I have read and enjoyed some, own but haven’t yet read some, and need to add some to my TBR!

[@psikeyhackr6914]

How about 'realistic possibilities' for the near future? Daemon & Freedom by Daniel Suarez

[@WordsinTime]

I recently purchased Daemon. I’m looking forward to it!

[@psikeyhackr6914]

@@WordsinTime Get all of the computers out of your house. 😆

[@MoeShinola1]

Way Station! Love that book. I, too threw in my lot with Humanity, as it were, in moving away from organized religion at a certain point in my life. The book gave me a good way to think about it.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it Moe!

[@tkerma6385]

You should read the Bobiverse or Murderbot Diaries. I think you´ll like them.

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve read the first Bobiverse book and own the first Murderbot book, but haven’t read it yet. Looking forward to it!

[@Tetsujin-28]

Rolf: "What are you sure of?". Theo: "That once I was not and that now I am. That one day I shall no longer be". The Children Of Men is a fantastic read. Thank you for recommending it. Great as it is, it isn't science fiction IMHO.

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@timlong9913]

Ender's Game is my #1, followed very closely by The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved it as well!

[@waykiwayki]

I love house of suns.....underrated.

[@WordsinTime]

@@waykiwayki It’s so good! Glad you love it too!

[@GarinSavage]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I liked Speaker for the Dead even more than Ender's Game. A litttle slower, but i really stuck with me. Speaking of books that stuck with me, did you ever read The Carpet Makers?

[@WordsinTime]

I enjoyed Speaker for the Dead. It’s quite different but I can see why some people might like it even more. I haven’t read Carpet Makers yet but it’s on my TBR!

[@GarinSavage]

@@WordsinTime It's very good, but I'd say it's one you have to sit in and absorb rather than be swept up in a gripping narrative. More a lake than a river.

[@robertjbroadhurst3860]

Everyone seems to love Dying Inside. Blindsight tick. Spin tick. Fall of Hyperion tick

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! 🤜 🤛

[@JLchevz]

House of Suns is INCREDIBLE

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved it too! ☀️

[@nasunorahl]

No Keith Laumer? Try The Long Twilight.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@eternal_napalm6442]

Hyperion Cantos and Sun Eater are musts.

[@WordsinTime]

Glad you love them too!

[@espiritussanctusdominus7031]

what? no Frank Herbert or Azimov? hehe personal preferences aside great list. suggestion for a most disturbing list of sci-fi "Hellstroms Hive" by Frank Herbert. the word stump is changed for ever lol.

[@WordsinTime]

Dune and Foundation were just outside my top 25, and would definitely be at the top for most influential sci-fi. I’ll check out Hellstroms Hive!

[@susantownsend8397]

I always give an extra star to reviewers who include Frankenstein in their top 10.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I like that system Susan!

[@fernbedek6302]

Long wait for the first Sun Eater book at my library… rest of the series seems easy to get, though.

[@WordsinTime]

I hope you enjoy it if you can get your hands on it!

[@fernbedek6302]

@@WordsinTime It shouldn’t take *too* long. In the mean time, I can re-read some of the Alastair Reynolds books I own. (Including House of Suns.)

[@gordonhansen2688]

Not many of my favorites on your list. Here are a few I would recommend. Lucifer's Hammer, Thrice Upon a Time by James P Hogan, The Emperor's Songbird, The Witches of Karres, By James H. Schmitz The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlien, Rite of Passage, In Fury Born by David Weber The Forest of the Night, by Matti Stucci, Dorsai By Gordon R Dickinson, Lord Kalvin of Otherwhen by H. Beam Piper Sundiver by David Brin Sorry I don't remember a;ll the Authors. I don't know whether to classify this as Science Fiction but Feed by Mira Grant

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the recommendations Gordon!

[@robertrochester403]

Frankenstein is historically important but a very difficult book to read since the pace is pretty bad.

[@WordsinTime]

I got used to the pacing but it took me a few chapters to adjust to the writing style.

[@robertrochester403]

Especially the roundabout beginning is a little offsetting.Apparently few critics have actually read it because I weirded out that the doctor never describes the origin.No lightning or gravedigging!Probably a chemical experiment I guess!