Top 10 Mind-Blowing Sci-Fi Books. My Must Read Titles!

[@ericepperson8409]

I feel like a lot of these lists that are about novel ideas in Sci-Fi don't go far enough anymore. Galactic spanning civilizations that practice genetic and/or societal manipulation aren't that much of a stretch from Asimov's Foundation. The consequences of time travel were explored by HG Wells. I'm not sure how Charles Stross Laundry Files about Lovecraft mythos intersecting Computer Science get missed. Or any of his singularity exploring works. Yoon Ha Lee's Ninefox Gambit throws you into "Calendrical Warfare" and a whole lot of other trippy ideas from the start and dares you to keep up. N.K. Jemisin is redefining speculative fiction with her latest works. There's a reason she's the first to with back-to-back-to-back Hugos for her Broken Earth trilogy. Paolo Bacigalupi's Windup Girl defines a whole new 'genepunk' genre in excruciating detail. This is How You Lose the Time War is a heart rending and truly mindbening trip into temporal conflicts.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. You point to some great, recent, reads. This is how You Lose the Time War and NK Jemisin’s Broken Earth, are books I want read in the near future.

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Loved and subbed. I've read all these books except Annihilation. Well done.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks, I can't wait to watch "Creature with the Atom Brain" and other classics! Subbed. 😃

[@nataliaolszewska04]

Love your passion for this!!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank You! It took a lot of time to put this video together; I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😃

[@alex_unabridged]

Fantastic recommendations! I've only read Annihilation from this list, but I loved it. The mysterious nature of it really hooked me, and I can't wait to continue with the next book in the series. I particularly liked the linguistic style of the writing, the sentence structure and syntax etc - it really worked well in establishing and developing character. I've read some Philip K Dick, but not Ubik (although it's on my bookshelf, waiting patiently) - I think my favourite of Dick's so far is A Scanner Darkly. I've got a few of the other books you talk about on a list of to-reads for a big old science fiction reading project I'm starting next year, and I may have to add Hyperion to that list - it daunts me a bit, but you've sold me on it! Sounds fascinating. Thanks for some great reading inspiration! 😀

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! Hyperion is -in my opinion- one of SF’s best. Again: unusual structure, dark, mysterious; not for everyone perhaps, but so worth trying! Ubik is just pure… Dick. I love Androids and Maze of Death but there is something about Ubik that messes with your mind. I have yet to read A Scanner Darkly. Definitely next year.

[@MD97531]

Ubik and three stigmata are my favorite by Pk Dick, definitely read those. Blindsight is also great as it challenges some preconceived notions you have about life. I’m being intentionally ambiguous so as not to spoil. Good video!

[@vintagesf]

Wow! You put a lot of love into this video. Great selection of books! I've read most of them. Two I still need to read are Ubik and Solaris. Both are on my shelf. I think you're trippy presentation puts Ubik ahead of Solaris for me!

[@bartsbookspace]

Lol. Thank you Richard! You can’t go wrong with either one. Solaris is closer to my heart, but Ubik is a crazy, fun ride. 🙌

[@grahamreid-lh8eg]

Fantastic! Loved the animated intro to PKD Ubik (the only one on your list I haven't read). Lot of effort to put together a video like this - very entertaining!

[@bartsbookspace]

Wow, thank YOU for the kind words. Means a lot! 😀

[@secretsauceofstorycraft]

New viewer, just subbed. Love seeing a fellow creator show some love for edits!!!! ❤😊

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank YOU! 😃 I’ve been watching your videos for quite a while, so I know, I have a long way to go before I get to your level of smooth editing skills!

[@bookspin]

Great list and wonderful presentation! I'm about to start a re-read of the Remembrance of Earth's Past starting next month, can't wait. You're absolutely right - Death's End is one of the most astonishing and mind-bending books I've ever read. I also plan to read the Children of Time trilogy for the first time early next year, your video has got me pumped!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank YOU for the high praise! With Children of Time I have, so far, only read the first book. It was great. 👍

[@joannaolszewska7948]

I love the visual effects. You are such an actor! I only read “Solaris” from your list.

[@bartsbookspace]

😂 Thanks! I think. I think maybe you'd enjoy Children of Time as well.

[@dafu5704]

Great presentation, great list. I will definitely read some of these. Some Science Fiction just happened to me, I swear. Just as I thought, why nobody is ever recommending 'Hyperion', there it was, just the next title. The same yesterday on another channel with 'Oryx & Crake' by Margaret Atwood.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks for watching and a nice comment! I have not read Oryx and Crake, I’ll be adding it to my tbr. 🙌

[@dafu5704]

@@bartsbookspace Margaret is a 'one in a billion' mind and writer✍

[@bartsbookspace]

@@dafu5704 Is Oryx & Crake a good place to start reading Atwood?

[@dafu5704]

@@bartsbookspace : It is for SciFi people. It's the first book of the 'MaddAddam Trilogy'. I think those are her only pure SciFi novels. Her most famous book is 'The Handmaid's Tale' which inspired a Netflix TV series.

[@Multiverse10X]

The algorithm found me and I just subscribed. I started reading Children of time and shut the book as soon as the spiders are revealed. I hate spiders! A few days later I was compelled to continue and it is now one of my all-time favorite books! I loved Three Body Problem and am in the middle of Dark Forest; can’t wait to finish the trilogy! Your other books are on my TBR. Thanks for your excellent video production! 🖖

[@bartsbookspace]

Amazing!!! I loved learning about the spider society, particularly how it’s female dominated, and the struggle of males to have a voice and contribution. Thanks for the kind comment!

[@B-RollBooks]

Bart, from the beginning, I've been impressed with your ambitious vision for this channel. You just keep getting better! Keep up the good work, my friend. I'm planning a video for this autumn with Childhood's End and Roadside Picnic. This video got me even more excited about it.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank You. That means so much to me! 😃 Childhood’s End and Roadside Picnic, though quite different in their tone and message, are a great One - Two. 👍

[@Joe-lb8qn]

Just happened upon this, 3 of these are in my top reads and 3 in my "hmm i don't get what the fuss is about" category :-) House Of Suns/Hyperion/Fire Upon the Deep first category, Solaris/Annihilation/Three Body the second.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks for checking out the video and for your thoughts on these books. I “grew up” reading Lem and Solaris is an all time great! The other 2 I won’t fight you about. 😉

[@EricKay_Scifi]

Ubik was good, but I also really liked A Scanner Darkly for the ending mostly, but there were some great scenes. I've read 6 / 10 on your list.

[@bartsbookspace]

That’s great to hear as A Scanner Darkly is one of the books I’m going to read next year. Thanks! I also read PKD’s A Maze of Death recently and really enjoyed it.

[@epiphoney]

Pandora's Star is the answer to all questions.

[@bartsbookspace]

It’s on my tbr! Although… it’s been on it for a while… I’ve got to get to it this year. Thanks

[@epiphoney]

Bester -- The Stars My Destination

[@bartsbookspace]

That’s an excellent choice! I think I read it over 30 years ago, don’t remember much… so I’m definitely due for a reread.

[@laurenceburris6361]

Thank you for letting us see the inside of your mind.

[@bartsbookspace]

😂 My favorite comment! 🙌

[@xenacv393]

I just discovered this channel. Hello. This was a great list. Thank you. Hyperion is my absolute favourite, but also anything by Alastair Reynolds!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank you for the nice comment! 😀 Hyperion is amazing; as for Alastair Reynolds, I’ve only read House of Suns and Eversion. Loved the first and really liked the second. I definitely want to read Revelation Space at some point soon.

[@sfwordsofwonder]

Great video Bart, amazing production, editing and selections. I might have to re-read Ubik with your suggestion🌲. One thing, I don't think Blindsight won the Hugo. Thanks for putting this together!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks, it took many hours to produce! My editing skills are, well I'm learning. 😂 You are Right about Blindsight. It was a Hugo Finalist but not a winner; Rainbows End won that year...

[@sciencefictionreads]

House of Suns was one of the first SF books that really captured my sense of wonder regarding time and distance, plus great characters! I still need to read Ubik and Solaris.

[@bartsbookspace]

I feel the same way about House of Suns, vastness of space and time, etc! Ubik and Solaris are, in my opinion, both great. But, I’d read Solaris first. I have a sweet spot for it. 😃

[@SciFiScavenger]

Just catching up on this one Bart, great video! I know how much work went into this one, well done!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! Yes, this was quite a production for me. 😂 I’m not sure if I enjoy the hours spent on editing a video like this one but, it definitely is a good learning experience. Growth mindset! 🙌

[@SciFiScavenger]

@bartsbookspace9798 I've fallen out of love with the production process a little bit. Too many videos perhaps. I think I'll take a break over the Christmas holidays!

[@bartsbookspace]

@@SciFiScavenger Yes, I know what you mean, the only way this makes sense is if we’re enjoying the process.

[@Seven-Planets-Sci-Fi-Tuber]

Nice list, thanks. I need to catch up with Adrian T..

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! I recommend Adrian T’s Children of Time for sure. I recently read Shards of Earth, book 1 in the Architect Series; also good, but not quite as memorable.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! I recommend Adrian T’s Children of Time for sure. I recently read Shards of Earth, book 1 in the Architect Series; also good, but not quite as memorable.

[@stephenmurphy8349]

Great choice!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! 😀

[@kanguruster]

The superb recommendations and the enthusiastic delivery has earned the Liked and Subscribed badge!

[@bartsbookspace]

@@kanguruster Thank You! 😃

[@danielkibira4064]

Great collection, you've got excellent taste🍷🍾👌🏾 What about ANATHEM by Neal Stephenson and DHALGREN by Samuel R. Delaney?

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! There always are great books left off a list like this. I haven’t yet read Anathem, it’s on the tbr. Dhalgren on the other hand I did read but it’s been a long time, 30yrs maybe. I would need to reread it before I included on any list. I just don’t remember anything other then liking the prose and being confused by what is happening.

[@JamesI88]

Glad to see Remembrance of Earths Past here. I thought about Deaths End for weeks after I finished it and went to youtube to try to learn.

[@bartsbookspace]

Yes. All 3 books were extremely thought-provoking. My favorite is probably Dark Forest. But Death’s End is incredible in it’s grand scope, mind blowing ideas, and huge ambition. 🙌

[@darthjarwood7943]

ive read childhoods End and the Three Body Problem trilogy...i never heard of Hyperion i think i will star that soon, thanks for the suggestion

[@bartsbookspace]

Hyperion is quite a trip. Hope you enjoy it! And thanks for watching. 😀

[@KodaMeansFriend]

Bart, this was a cool video. Love the comment on reading Ubik high. "The prose was all Dick" got me dead. 😂 Ps: Still haven't finished Area X?? Omg. I still don't see you being disappointed! Can't wait; hoping you'll do a video on the trilogy after!

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! 😂 I'm pacing myself with Southern Reach, don't want it to end! 😉

[@KodaMeansFriend]

@@bartsbookspace I get it!! I'll definitely be rereading at some point. So much else to read between then and now, though. 😂

[@bartsbookspace]

@@KodaMeansFriend Yes, the amount of books in my tbr is a problem! 😂

[@KodaMeansFriend]

@@bartsbookspace ha! Same! 😂

[@Marginwalker1972]

I can't stand spiders, but I loved Children of Time. This is a fantastic list!

[@bartsbookspace]

😂 Same here! Have you read the follow ups? Children of Ruin and Children of Memory? I haven’t, heard from a few readers that they’re not as good as book 1. Thanks for watching !

[@Marginwalker1972]

@@bartsbookspace I have also heard they are not as good, so I have not read them yet. Maybe one day I will get to them.

[@glenncartwright4478]

Great choices. Love all those books! Imagination is key.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! I agree, and when you’re able to combine imagination with strong characters that the reader can connect with, it’s magic.

[@paulallison6418]

Great List. I have read most of these and I agree they are all super reads.

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks! Sounds like we have similar taste in SF. 🙌

[@jasonuerkvitz3756]

I was on an Iain M. Banks trip for awhile. I really enjoyed _Consider Phlebas_ his first sci-fi and _Player of Games_ as these felt deeply actualized in his imagination and went to page in his whimsical, quirky style really well. The punchline for _Phlebas_ was particularly philosophical for me and it posed an incredible question to the reader. I won't go into any sort of detail as to what that question was, but it really put me in a deep state of introspection for many days following, as any good novel should. Jeff VanderMeer's _Annihilation_ trilogy is stellar. A cosmic-horror, psychological-thriller that would make HP Lovecraft proud. I highly recommend these. Looking forward to reading _Hyperion_ and Liu's _Three Body Problem_ .

[@bartsbookspace]

Hi, I totally agree about Southern Reach Trilogy! I’ve enjoyed the 1st two books and I’m looking forward to reading Acceptance. I have yet to read Banks but Player of Games and Use of Weapons are on my tbr for, hopefully, later this year. Thanks!

[@jasonuerkvitz3756]

@@bartsbookspace See if you can get _Consider Phlebas_ as well. Some readers found it difficult, but it's a great adventure and well worth the read.

[@MrBlueregard]

❤

[@bartsbookspace]

Thanks!

[@psikeyhackr6914]

Mind blowing realism: Daemon and Freedom by Daniel Suarez

[@bartsbookspace]

Hi, I have not read Suarez. Heard mixed opinions on Daemon. I definitely want to read it at some point and make up my own mind. Thanks

[@psikeyhackr6914]

@@bartsbookspace There is a certain amount of vicious violence in it, some sexual. I have seen reviews where that turned some people off. But I consider it to be 'Speculative Fiction' In the serious sense of a possible extrapolation of the real world and that crap happens in the real. The author suggests some serious nonfiction books.

[@bartsbookspace]

@@psikeyhackr6914 That makes sense, thanks. I don't mind reading about violence of any kind, as long as it makes sense within the context of the story being told.

[@thethikboy]

Except for Hyperion which is pretentious sh*t , the list is excellent.

[@bartsbookspace]

Hi. Thanks for watching and for the comment! I feel that with its structure and prose, Hyperion elevates the genre. This is what’s fun about lists and books in general. Not a single one is objectively good. Agree to disagree. 👍

[@thethikboy]

@@bartsbookspace I'm a poet and novelist and the 'elevation' you speak of is simply a posture and improves nothing.

[@Filthyanimal9]

Thanks for sharing- really enjoyable

[@bartsbookspace]

Thank YOU, Robert, I appreciate it! 😃