Recommendations for must-read Science Fiction and Fantasy books

I've looked around this forum to see if there was something like this, and I haven't found one that fits what I'm looking for. But I hope this won't be too redundant.

Question: What are Science Fiction and Fantasy books that you would recommend to someone who wants to understand the genre?

I'm interested in why you would recommend those books - did it change the direction of the genre? Influence future authors? Is it a must-read for anyone who wants to attempt writing and publishing in the field? Did it start a trend? Is it considered a 'classic'?


To start off, I'll mention Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It's my understanding that these books are considered one of the major sources for the fantasy genre. If someone else wants to add to that, feel free!

 

It's my understanding that these books are considered one of the major sources for the fantasy genre.

Not really. It's the basis for a lot of the crap fantasy that abounds today, but it is the culmination of a very rich fantastic tradition, from the old English and Norse/Icelandic sagas to Lord Dunsany and E.R. Eddison. Which is not to say that The Lord of the Rings is not a must-read, because it is.

I'll definitely be adding to this list, but after my classes are over.

 

I highly recommend Dune and Lord of the Rings. Both are considered classics of literature. They have an amazing scope and very good characters.

 

Read The Saga of Elric

 

I would also reccomend the "Homecoming Saga" and any of the Ender series by Orson Scott Card...

The Homecoming (until the 5th book, which i am indifferent to) is a beautiful blend of fantasy AND sci-fi......and here's the weird part...it's based on the Book of Mormon....

fantastic reads

EDIT: and for pure sci-fi...anything by Ben Bova

 

The Book of Mormon!? Odd.

Well, as was said, Dune and Ender's Game are awesome. And.... you caught me when I was tired. I can't think of any good books I have read right now.

-P!-

 

I think to some extent it depends on what you are looking for. It sounds like you are exporing what Sci-Fi is all about.

If that is true, I would recommend that you look back at the history of Sci-Fi. You have a lot of reading ahead of you. I recommend (in no particular order):

I Robot by Isacc Asimov: Did you ever see Bicentennial Man starring Robin Williams? It was loosely based on Asimov's book. Only the book is actually good. And don't stop with I Robot read lots of Asimov. Some call him the "father of Science Fiction."

Dune by Frank Herbert: he creates a world as intricate and involved as Tolkein's Middle Earth. Just watch out for sequels, the original is (IMO) the only really good one.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: A fun read, but classic and involved Sci-Fi. Try the sequels too, but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet, so I cannot make comments on them.

Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlen: Forget what you saw in Verhoeven's film. Though a great cinematic work with wonderful social commentary, it is based on another, quite similar book. Heinlen's work is pure genius. Read anything of his that you wrap your fingers around.

I can't think of any more at this time, though I will be lurking around keeping an eye on this thread. I will add as I can remember/read them.

 

Well you can't go wrong with the 3 great of SciFi: Asimov, Heilen and Clarke.

Heinlen: yes Starship Trooper I agree.
Asimov: The Robot stories and the Foundation Series.
Clarke: 2001, Rendezvous with Rama and Childhood's End.

I'm trying to rebuild my scifi library so this will be interesting to watch.

 

you need to add the Hobbit, and the Silmarillon too. While not as much of a "must" read as LOTR's trilogy, they should be read as well.

Dune
2001
I Robot,
The Foundation series
Asimovs Robot books.
Childhoods End
The Rama series.

And for some grand fun, Douglas Adams, Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy.

 

My recommendations:

George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series

Matthew Stover's Caine books (Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle)

Michael A. Stackpole's DragonCrown War Cycle

Anything by R.A. Salvatore

 

Well I would only read the first rama book and skip the rest which was very uneven.

Yes, Hitchhiker's is a great oversight. Good thing is that 1 or 2 publishers are selling a volume with all the stories included.

As far as comedy probably the Discworld series by Terry Pratchet is the most well know in fanatsy.

 

William Gibson's "Neuromancer" (and heck, "Idoru" was pretty good, too.. I find it quite underrated)

Herbert's "Dune" series is good.

Douglas Adams' "Hitchiker Trilogy" in five parts


H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" (really is a good read)

Anything by Arthur C Clarke or Ray Bradbury.

 

My recommendations:

Foundation Trilogy, Asimov
I, Robot
Mars, Bova,
Babel-17, delany
Ender's Game, Card
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Adams
Rama, Clarke
Fahrinheit 451, Bradbury
Dune, Herbert
Icarus Hunt, Zahn
Conqueror's Trilogy, Zahn
Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
His Dark Materials, Pullman
DragonCrown Cycle, Stackpole


To name a few

 

Just because no one's mentioned him yet:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick
The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick
Dr. Bloodmoney by Philip K. Dick
V.A.L.I.S. by Philip K. Dick
We Can Build You by Philip K. Dick
Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick

Those are the books by Philip K. Dick I've read, and they're all good.

 

..oh geeze, Ducky, THANK YOU!

How could i FORGET Philip K Dick?


Boy that was close...

 

What can I say, he's my favorite Sci-fi writer.

 

i don't know if you want to add this one but oh well.

read anything by H.P. Lovecraft. sure most if not all of his stuff is horror but there is some sci-fi and fantasy elements in some of his stories

 

William Gibson's "Neuromancer" (and heck, "Idoru" was pretty good, too.. I find it quite underrated)

I like all William Gibson's stuff; if you read Neuromancer you'll see so much of the culture of cyberpunk's origins - including alot of Anime and the Matrix. Idoru was OK but I prefer Virtual Light, and the Difference Engine (with Bruce Sterling) is awesome too - they gave birth to Steampunk.

I'd also recommend Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson.

E_S

 

For Philip K Dick I would advise starting with Ubik and then move to his other books.

 

As far as fantasy books go, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a must. If you have any interest in Arthurian legend at all... and the descriptions of medieval life are quite accurate.

As far as science fiction goes... call me mainstream but I love Jurassic Park. As a mix of science, fiction and suspense you can't beat it. I've read it four times and literally couldn't put it down each time. It's amazing how much isn't in the movie.

 

It's hard to believe these haven't been mentioned...

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

Both are excellent and classics. TCoN is directed more towards children, but they're still fun reads, and have some very good allegory.

The Space Trilogy is classic sci-fi, written way back when (between "First Men in the Moon" and "2001", I'll put it that way). It's more towards grown-ups (Lewis says so in the title page of the last book, "That Hideous Strength"), and so is a heavier read, but I'm assuming that shouldn't be much of a problem. These books are rather deep and thought-provoking.

 

Thank you all for your ideas! I love science fiction, but mostly I've read the Star Trek and Star Wars novels (and fan fiction, as of late, which is highly addictive, lol!). I wanted to start reading more stuff and the bookstore has so many choice I wanted to make sure I was reading the good stuff.


Another one I don't think has been mentioned yet:

Jules Verne's novels, like Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Also, Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, which I read when I was younger.

Another author I've heard of is Ursular K. Le Guin, although I haven't read any of her books. Has anyone here read them?


Anyone got some more recommendations?

 

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a little dull at parts. If you've never read Verne before, you might want to start off with something a little less portentous. From the Earth to the Moon is a solid little novel that's easy, interesting, and surprisngly prophetic.

And of course, 20,000 Leagues is always a safe bet.

My favorite Verne is Around the World in 80 Days, but again, that's not science fiction or fantasy.

 

Le Guin's original Earthsea Trilogy is fantastic (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore).

You should also try Sabriel by Garth Nix, Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny (both fantasy) , The Forever War by Joe Haldeman and The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (sci-fi).

 

Heinlein is a must read, particularly Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers (which has been mentioned plenty of times already).

I'd also add Larry Niven's book Ringworld since I haven't noticed it mentioned yet.