Hey! I got to be the 42nd person to click like on your correction ... .. pretty sure that will have vast cosmic implications for me in the near future ...
Interesting list... I have read them all - some of them many times - and am rather surprised at some of the rankings. I think what *really* surprised me was that none of the works of either H.G. Wells or Jules Verne made it into the top ten.
Overall another interesting list of good books (ideas, stories and writing). Good to see that plenty of people enjoy these in these good books and even Hunger Games while a little lighter than the others is still drawing younger readers into exploring ideas and enjoying stories. I'd recommend The Forever War if anyone stumbles across this list searching for all 3 qualities done very well in a single sci-fi book.
@@richardfox4803 Masayuki Taguchi 's novel "Battle Royale" also adapted into a Manga and Film (all excellent). Should add have no hard feelings about Hunger Games: Does what it set out to do successfully but the premise is explored in a superior form elsewhere, imo.
The number 1 book is the only one I have not read. The other 9 I have read many times over and I love them all. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Like most of the commentators I have read them all, apart from the Hunger Games and Enders Game. I think the reason some of the older Sci Fi authors are not in the list is due to the plethora of second hand book shops that were everywhere. Most of my Sci Fi was done at the library and the S/H book stores. I would buy a hand full for 0.25 p each, read and return them for half price and buy more. The books from the authors I liked I kept. E E doc Smiths' the Lensman series. Everything by Heinlein. Loved Asimov specially his shorts, Christmas on Ganymede being one. Some A.C. Clarke, his City and the Stars was very prophetic considering it was written in the 1950's . A.E. van Vogt's Voyage of the Space Beagle and the Wizard of Lin.
Excellent information. I’m curious about Bradbury and how his political shifts later in his life affected sales of the book. If I recall correctly, he shifted toward conservatism and Reaganism. I need to look it up, but he walked back the theme of his influential. I wonder if the political shift attracted more or less sales. Or if it was even noticed. Thanks for the brilliant work. Your channel is one of my favorites.
I'm pretty sure The Three-Body Problem should be in this list. I saw an article from 2020 which stated over 8 million copies have been sold (not sure if that figure refers to just the first book or the trilogy as a whole).
I was genuinely surprised by number one. And then, I remembered all the scenes in the films, where the character is forced to communicate something against their will, and unable to ask for help, they signal it by saying something blatantly false or weird, so the one they talk to realize they don't speak sincerely...
I was 14 when “Stranger in a Strange Land” came out. 14 when “Dune” came out. I was already a Sci-Fi fan. These books had a profound effect on my world view. I have also read all the books on this list and many more. Some of my favorite authors are not represented on this list. Top would probably be .Philip K. Dick who wrote so many stories that have become major motion pictures and had serious social impact way beyond the sales figures of his books.
I do agree, but understand that Dick has always been a niche author, not as popular as Heinlein or Herbert. I want to know where is Verne, or Wells? Surely they have sold plenty of books.
Thanks for the video and insightful comments! I have read all of these except The Martian and The Hunger Games. You can't forget 1984 and Frankenstein. Dune is worth re-reading, but Banks and Hamilton have exceeded Herbert in world-building. I didn't get the joke about 41 instead of 42, but William Tenn is another of the few humourous sci-fi writers. I have no plan to read The Hunger Games.
My local libraries give a running total each year how much money I save by checking out rather than buying the physical books I read. Unfortunately, they don’t include the e-book totals
I have not read Hunger Games because I think of it as YA. No HG Wells' "Time Machine"? I'm surprised by Hunger Games being SF and the lack of any HG Wells.
I own quite a lot of these titles but all of them bought in secondhand stores... I guess that doesn't count? I think a lot of the older titles have been sold/bought again and again.
What Is the Most Banned Book in America? For all time, the most frequently banned book is 1984 by George Orwell. However Yevgeny Zyamatin's We. We was published in English in 1924, and reviewed by Orwell in the Tribune Magazine in 1946; 1984 was not published until 1949. Yes, it is Zyamatin not Orwell who has the honor of being a groundbreaking dystopian novelist. It's similar to 1984!
Owning all of the others, must I now bring myself to read what I thought was only a crude pastiche on 'Battle Royale'? Having checked, I see that my tiny local library has four copies. Might as well give it a go, I suppose. I hope it's better than I expect from the trailers.
Have read them all and enjoyed them all except …Stranger in a strange land read it when I was young Hated it… gave it another go 20 years later and still hated it . Oh well can’t please everyone. PS strictly speaking 2001 was a movie first then a book
I was pretty sure I had read all of them, but then I was very surprised to see #1 which I have intentionally avoided up to now... (EDIT: I see from the comments that I'm not at all alone in making that decision!)
I think its bit unfair to count sales of all three Hunger Games books and not counting sequels to Space Odyssey or all - like twenty something - Dune books :)
I vaguely remember hype about Hunger games. I think I saw a movie regarding such. It caused me to move away from sci-fi. I started reading all these euro classics.
If current trends continue Fahrenheit 451 will come about soon. But Firemen won't be needed, just little screens and an attention span measured in seconds.
In 2001 Harry Potter beat Game of Thrones for the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel. Both series have sold huge numbers and are not on this list. But what is science fiction?
Its interesting to see peoples reaction to no1, but i agree its sci-fi even if i would never read a YA novel. I do question “best selling” book lists though. Best selling according to who? The data such that you can find it is not consistent by geography, year, reissue, platform or publisher. You may as well use Wikipedia or goodreads and just not put any numbers on “sales”. Even then its not going to be accurate
I believe it's the Best Selling books list, not the best books. There is no chance that The Hunger Games is better than The Three Body Problem or Hyperion. But in terms of sales, it's higher.
Hunger games the most successful with difference? Ok, now I understand why libraries are now full of silly YA novels and now men are forbidden in scify prizes.
By the way, Heinlein is a quite censored author. The only one of his novels that was adapted to 📺 was for ridiculize it. In fact, Stranger in strange land is the only one of the list that has no 📺 adaptation and I haven’t either read or seen the movie.
I would not include 1984, Hunger Games, or F 451 in a list of science fiction. They are predictive, dystopian, speculative fiction with no real science connections. Why not include LOTR in the group? Arguably creating rings of power requires some form of science. (No, I would not include it in the list, just saying.) Remove those three from the list and perhaps we might see some time tested sci-fi classics, like something from Verne or Wells. If you are including sales figures for series, could ERB''s Martian series have made the list?
The dianetics book by L. Ron Hubbard isn't on this list? Seriously? I mean, I know it's unethical af, but still... Well, I won't say you don't have a sense of morality Darrell.
09:10 🤦♂️or it could be 42!
He did say "may be" lol
Out by one error. Must be using a zero based array or something 🙂
Must have been calculated by a Sirius Cybernetics version of Deep Thought. A pain in all the diodes down its left side.
He obviously hasn't read it.
Hey! I got to be the 42nd person to click like on your correction ...
.. pretty sure that will have vast cosmic implications for me in the near future ...
Interesting list... I have read them all - some of them many times - and am rather surprised at some of the rankings. I think what *really* surprised me was that none of the works of either H.G. Wells or Jules Verne made it into the top ten.
Oh man!!!!! I've read them all except number 1. Excellent video. Cheers.
Surprised not to see War of the Worlds or Day of the Triffids
I doubt that the average person has even heard of the Day of the Triffids.
Overall another interesting list of good books (ideas, stories and writing). Good to see that plenty of people enjoy these in these good books and even Hunger Games while a little lighter than the others is still drawing younger readers into exploring ideas and enjoying stories. I'd recommend The Forever War if anyone stumbles across this list searching for all 3 qualities done very well in a single sci-fi book.
The Hunger Games is the best selling SF book. What sick and twisted dystopian universe have I stumbled into !
Hang in there, Fahrenheit 451 is coming!
In another universe in a different language it's known by another name: Une Battle Royale With Cheese.
@@markkavanagh7377 I thought that, but thought it best not to say it out aloud.🤭
@@commentarytalk1446 Not Fortnite-lite ?
@@richardfox4803 Masayuki Taguchi 's novel "Battle Royale" also adapted into a Manga and Film (all excellent). Should add have no hard feelings about Hunger Games: Does what it set out to do successfully but the premise is explored in a superior form elsewhere, imo.
Nice list!
Could you make a list of Sci-fi books that are originally not in English?
This could be very interesting
That's a great idea!
I have a similar video idea I made awhile back, my top 10 sci-fi novels in translation
The number 1 book is the only one I have not read. The other 9 I have read many times over and I love them all. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Like most of the commentators I have read them all, apart from the Hunger Games and Enders Game. I think the reason some of the older Sci Fi authors are not in the list is due to the plethora of second hand book shops that were everywhere. Most of my Sci Fi was done at the library and the S/H book stores. I would buy a hand full for 0.25 p each, read and return them for half price and buy more. The books from the authors I liked I kept. E E doc Smiths' the Lensman series. Everything by Heinlein. Loved Asimov specially his shorts, Christmas on Ganymede being one. Some A.C. Clarke, his City and the Stars was very prophetic considering it was written in the 1950's . A.E. van Vogt's Voyage of the Space Beagle and the Wizard of Lin.
Excellent information. I’m curious about Bradbury and how his political shifts later in his life affected sales of the book. If I recall correctly, he shifted toward conservatism and Reaganism. I need to look it up, but he walked back the theme of his influential. I wonder if the political shift attracted more or less sales. Or if it was even noticed. Thanks for the brilliant work. Your channel is one of my favorites.
I'm pretty sure The Three-Body Problem should be in this list. I saw an article from 2020 which stated over 8 million copies have been sold (not sure if that figure refers to just the first book or the trilogy as a whole).
EXACTLY! He always skips this amazing trilogy in every video
It has to be right up there. It's so ubiquitous at this point that Target carries it.
I haven't read Hunger Games. I can live with that.
It's pretty chill for a YA novel
It's pretty good.
I am pleased to report that I've read all of these books with the single exception of Hunger Games. No plans to read that any time soon.
09:02 1/137 is the true answer to the question of the meaning of life.
41? :D That was so unexpected I almost fell out of my chair.
I’m a rebel 🤣
I was genuinely surprised by number one. And then, I remembered all the scenes in the films, where the character is forced to communicate something against their will, and unable to ask for help, they signal it by saying something blatantly false or weird, so the one they talk to realize they don't speak sincerely...
I was 14 when “Stranger in a Strange Land” came out. 14 when “Dune” came out. I was already a Sci-Fi fan. These books had a profound effect on my world view. I have also read all the books on this list and many more. Some of my favorite authors are not represented on this list. Top would probably be .Philip K. Dick who wrote so many stories that have become major motion pictures and had serious social impact way beyond the sales figures of his books.
I do agree, but understand that Dick has always been a niche author, not as popular as Heinlein or Herbert. I want to know where is Verne, or Wells? Surely they have sold plenty of books.
I've read 8 out of the ten and I'm not interested in the other two. thanks for sharing. I'm surprised Kurt Vonnegut wasn't on it
I'm amazed that the Hunger Games is #1. Maybe because it's a YA like Harry Potter which I'm sure would be #1 among fantasy novels.
Thanks for the video and insightful comments! I have read all of these except The Martian and The Hunger Games. You can't forget 1984 and Frankenstein. Dune is worth re-reading, but Banks and Hamilton have exceeded Herbert in world-building. I didn't get the joke about 41 instead of 42, but William Tenn is another of the few humourous sci-fi writers. I have no plan to read The Hunger Games.
My local libraries give a running total each year how much money I save by checking out rather than buying the physical books I read. Unfortunately, they don’t include the e-book totals
I have not read Hunger Games because I think of it as YA. No HG Wells' "Time Machine"? I'm surprised by Hunger Games being SF and the lack of any HG Wells.
I've been Groking SF now for fifty years, its the twinkle in God's eye of possible futures, alternatives? LoL 😅
I own quite a lot of these titles but all of them bought in secondhand stores... I guess that doesn't count? I think a lot of the older titles have been sold/bought again and again.
I think the sales of 2001 seem very underestimated. Noting that it is also a series of 4 books.
I've read them all, except Hunger Games
What Is the Most Banned Book in America? For all time, the most frequently banned book is 1984 by George Orwell. However Yevgeny Zyamatin's We. We was published in English in 1924, and reviewed by Orwell in the Tribune Magazine in 1946; 1984 was not published until 1949. Yes, it is Zyamatin not Orwell who has the honor of being a groundbreaking dystopian novelist. It's similar to 1984!
I've not read the hunger games, and maybe it's because I'm really old but it seems like it doesn't belong with these other titles.
The answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is 42!
aw yeah i love suzanne ' i never herd of ''battle royal'' ' collins
Owning all of the others, must I now bring myself to read what I thought was only a crude pastiche on 'Battle Royale'? Having checked, I see that my tiny local library has four copies. Might as well give it a go, I suppose. I hope it's better than I expect from the trailers.
Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary is waaay better than The Martian, IMO.
I enjoyed The Martian film more than the book, but maybe I'm biased by Matt Damon
surprised not to see The Midwich Cuckoos, or anything by john wyndham on this list
42! its 42!
Have read them all and enjoyed them all except …Stranger in a strange land read it when I was young Hated it… gave it another go 20 years later and still hated it . Oh well can’t please everyone.
PS strictly speaking 2001 was a movie first then a book
Huzzah! Someone else thinks it's overrated nonsense.
I was pretty sure I had read all of them, but then I was very surprised to see #1 which I have intentionally avoided up to now...
(EDIT: I see from the comments that I'm not at all alone in making that decision!)
I think its bit unfair to count sales of all three Hunger Games books and not counting sequels to Space Odyssey or all - like twenty something - Dune books :)
No mention of Wells or Verne. Find that difficult to believe.
I vaguely remember hype about Hunger games. I think I saw a movie regarding such. It caused me to move away from sci-fi. I started reading all these euro classics.
The three body problem must of sold millions?
The Martian is good but the book Andy published after that is so much better.
Not sure I'd classify Hunger Games, 1984 or Fahrenheit 451 as Sci-Fi - they're the _other_ SF, speculative fiction.
What! '41' I think you have lost a marble ;-)
Yup definitely lost a marble 🤣
@@Sci-FiOdyssey Belgium, you've completely lost your towel boy !
@@richardfox4803on camera?
If current trends continue Fahrenheit 451 will come about soon. But Firemen won't be needed, just little screens and an attention span measured in seconds.
The Bible is best selling sf ever xd
I believe it's 42 not 41.
No DELPHINE DESCENDS? An outrage! Currently enjoying it - can't rate it yet. I'm only on page 42!
Awesome! Hope you enjoy it! 👌
In 2001 Harry Potter beat Game of Thrones for the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel.
Both series have sold huge numbers and are not on this list.
But what is science fiction?
Both of those books are fantasy,
Its interesting to see peoples reaction to no1, but i agree its sci-fi even if i would never read a YA novel. I do question “best selling” book lists though. Best selling according to who? The data such that you can find it is not consistent by geography, year, reissue, platform or publisher. You may as well use Wikipedia or goodreads and just not put any numbers on “sales”. Even then its not going to be accurate
I left 2 comments and they don’t appear.
Why people doesn’t know the difference between Sicfi and fantasy book :(
42 not 41.
The Three Body Problem should be on this list
It hasn't been around that long, let's see the figures again after the TV series drops. Sales are quoted at 8 million, 6.5 of those in China.
I believe it's the Best Selling books list, not the best books. There is no chance that The Hunger Games is better than The Three Body Problem or Hyperion. But in terms of sales, it's higher.
Hunger games the most successful with difference?
Ok, now I understand why libraries are now full of silly YA novels and now men are forbidden in scify prizes.
By the way, Heinlein is a quite censored author.
The only one of his novels that was adapted to 📺 was for ridiculize it.
In fact, Stranger in strange land is the only one of the list that has no 📺 adaptation and I haven’t either read or seen the movie.
41?
Hunger Games is scifi? Never read it, honest question.
42
I would not include 1984, Hunger Games, or F 451 in a list of science fiction. They are predictive, dystopian, speculative fiction with no real science connections. Why not include LOTR in the group? Arguably creating rings of power requires some form of science. (No, I would not include it in the list, just saying.)
Remove those three from the list and perhaps we might see some time tested sci-fi classics, like something from Verne or Wells. If you are including sales figures for series, could ERB''s Martian series have made the list?
Bible says swearing is wrong
Should this be labeled “The 11 Best Selling…..”?
The dianetics book by L. Ron Hubbard isn't on this list? Seriously? I mean, I know it's unethical af, but still... Well, I won't say you don't have a sense of morality Darrell.
Hmmm I’ll check that out! You got me interested with it being unethical 😀
Ha Ha Ha yes the Cheesiest Battle Royale Rip off
Ugh. The Hunger Games stinks.
The Hunger Games are #1? They're teen-lit trash....
They are pretty good for YA.
Where is Hyperion?????