The 15 Best Sci-Fi Books I've Ever Read
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
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![The 15 Best Sci-Fi Books I've Ever Read [Updated]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pP0XnfC1jVM/mqdefault.jpg)
Updated list is here:
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"Moting Gods Eye" 😆
Forever War was a refutation of Heinlein's anti-war novel Starship Troopers? Not sure that follows. I remember reading the book as a young adult and seeing the movie and wildly misunderstanding the message. The movie didn't help, it barely even winked at you.
It's like the Watchmen, Rorschach was the villain but the ending in the movie was unclear and as a result a lot of people misunderstood Moore's original story. The movie has changed the pop culture memory of the work and changed it's original intent. Starship Troopers has the same problem. I'm not saying it's the best book I've ever read, maybe not even top 100 but to call an anti-war book a refutation to an anti-war book is unfair.
Dude, it was nice to sit here with you for forty minutes and talk about books, thanks! Very well done 👍
Wow, man. Amazing list. I've never seen one of these lists mirror my own tastes so closely. Great breakdowns and descriptions.
I adore Hyperion, will always be my number one. Also even though it didn't make the list you did mention Flowers for Algernon which I think is one of the most criminally underrated sci fi's out there, a truly beautiful and tragic story. It doesn't have the flashy wars and galactic scope of so many sci fi's yet it has the heart of what sci fi is to me, the questioning of technology and it's moral and philosophical implications on humanity. I cannot recommended Flowers for Algernon enough.
Fatal Shore....Are you familiar with the movie made in 1968 starring Cliff Robertson called Charly? It was based on Flowers For Algernon. There is also a movie...or movies...? titled Flowers For Algernon.
@@marbleman52 I have not, I will look into it
@@fatalshore5068 I was 16 in 1968 when I saw Charly; it was a very emotional movie and I think Cliff Robertson gave a great performance. I have not seen the other movie(s) named after the book. Watching Charly was like watching a parent or someone you love develop Alzheimers...really gut wrenching...!!
The farcaster network was mind-blowing for me when I first read about it back in the 90s. Really one of the most amazing concepts in the genre.
I read the short story version of that book. It was one of the most depressing stories I've ever read. How on earth could someone read an entire big novel of such a sad and depressing story? How could you bear it?
I am feeling really, really old right now. Most of your list wasn't around until my late 30s early 40s. I grew up on Heinlein and Asminov, EE Doc Smith, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, Ray Bradbury and that up and coming new writer Harlan Ellison.
"Asminov," that's funny. 😀
Fritz Leiber and Harlan Ellison are massively underrated.
Same
Thanks for all your analysis. I stumbled upon your channel and am amazed at how many of these books I have read. Silverberg? Wow. I remember reading this so long ago. I was reading SF in the 60's and 70's. I still own most of them and feel it is time to revisit them. Thank you again for bringing these titles up.
I'm immensely happy I clicked on your videa instead of one one of the 100k+ views ones. Great watch, well done! On to some reading now
I've seen alot of best sci fi lists and YOU are the first person to include The Time Machine.... thank you for that. It is one of my favorites too 🙂
Love your list, i think i have read almost half of them and there were almost a quarter i hadn't heard of. always nice to hear of things i had'nt.
I just found your channel and this was the first video that I watched and I Loved it…I am a big SciFi/Fantasy reader though I do read other genres as well but really liked your more in depth and concise reviews more so than many of the other dozen or so BookTubers I follow…
Also liked that you were able to add to my TBR with a few SciFi books I hadn’t heard of before.
Really enjoyed this list and I am now a subscriber and I am going to binge more of your past released videos and I am looking forward to more of your videos in the future…
Keep up the good work and I wish you luck in all your future endeavors…
Thanks Bob, welcome to the channel and thanks for your subscription. Glad there was something here for you.
Thank you Aaron Rodgers.
Seriously, great list and well presented. Love your passion. I’ve read about half of these, most of the others are on my TBR.
Haha, second time I've gotten that this week. And thanks, appreciate that.
Hey, thanks man. You are really, good! - Did a great job articulating a summary of each and every book; (you’ve a fascinating memory! Truly!) ... Your descriptions of each writer’s attributes, style, story structure, plots, characters, and ‘vibe’ is full of detail! I think this video popped up for me because I’ve been listening to some audiobooks, lately. I know is NOT the same experience as reading, and the way my brain is wired I’m always happy when I find the ‘printed word’ or at least ‘closed captioning’ - but I kinda need both, the spoken word PLUS to ‘see the words’, (ideally.) - I’ve not the greatest eye-sight and the lighting in my room makes it virtually impossible to juggle pages/magnifiers/lights while trying to be comfortable, and turn pages- so, audio+visual - printed word - is my optimal way of capturing and comprehending stories. But anyway, didn’t mean to bore you with all this. I expect that this video popped-up because I’ve been looking for some Sci-Fi. I’ve only ever read a handful but I usually seem to enjoy what I choose - I’ve a knack for ‘picking books’ that I really enjoy and have learned to read others I’d not normally choose, and still end up getting something out of them, most of the time. - Learned that a few years back when I was part of a great ‘book club’, and often had to read selections made by others. Was good for me to be open-minded, and realize there’s almost always something I can learn from books I may not ‘like’ or may be outside of my personal preferences. So thank you so very much, I jotted down the titles and authors’ names of the books you reviewed. I think I was only familiar with two or three of the authors, maybe four. Again, sorry for running on, just wanted to compliment you and thank you for your generosity in giving your time, information, great insights & analysis of all your book recommendations. I appreciate it very much. I admire your “colorful, descriptive recall skills and your ability to relay everything back in a very compelling manner. Is good to know we haven’t all burn’t out too many of our brain cells! 😛 Dude! If I had your linguistic gifts, I’d be writing, for CERTAIN! Have always wanted to be able to write, but being clueless when it comes to knowing how to structure a story, how to compensate for my dyslexic issues and, lacking plain-old ‘grammar skills’; I’m happy to be able to read. You, on the other hand ... have a gift! Stay grateful, helpful & healthy. And, all you do will make your story(life), one of high Quality,Value.& Joy! 🙏 ☮️ 😊 Blessings!
P.S. Your camera recording & editing skills are also a good skills - much success in all you do! 🌎✌️
Thank you so much for all your kind words, Susan. It's nice to be told I have a good memory, it feels subjectively like a crap one. And always nice to be told that I'm good with words.
Nothing wrong with audiobooks, but have you considered an e-reader? I like my Kindle a lot, and it's backlit, so you don't have to worry about lights.
You have intrigued me! Glad you have The Dispossessed on your list - it's a fave of mine from way back. Looking forward to reading the rest. (My local library has a whole bunch of Jack London books, but not The Iron Heel.... hmmm, wonder why??)
Love these lists. Great stuff! Keep on SFing.
Nice list. I have never heard of the Iron Heel but it sounds like my cup of tea so I'll be looking for a copy.
Thanks Ryan. It's in the public domain, should have mentioned that in the vid. You can find it in ebook form for free over at Gutenberg.
So thrilled that you have The Mote In God’s Eye on your list! A first contact story where the world building is amazingly well developed on so many levels.
Mote in God’s Eye was the first true sci fi I read, and I was hooked. Such a great book.
I was mentally building a list as he was talking and this came high on my list.
In the 80's Stanislaw Lem has written a similar story: Fiasco. It's also great.
Some of the best thought-out worldbuilding I've ever read. So great!
@@bnjmnwst same! I wish they would make a movie of it
Great review, I've read and loved most of them, especially the Vinge duo and The Dispossessed, all favourites. Others I'd like to suggest are Brin's Uplift series, Benford's Galactic Centre series, Bear's Darwin's Radio (really good), Bujold's Vorkosigan series. I like some of Niven's stuff (I read Mote in God's Eye overnight when it first came out) but haven't been able to get into Ringworld at all.
As an Aussie, I'd like to recommend Sean McMullen, especially for his Greatwinter series, Sean Williams for The Resurrected Man (a take on Star Trek's transporters, with a murder) and, for very hard sci-fi, Greg Egan. Keep up the great work!
The Dispossessed has a special place in my heart. It explored masculinity in a way that was almost 1:1 to what I was experiencing. Aside from the space travel.
Summed up my feelings about shadow of the torturer perfectly. It took me 2 reads and an audiobook listen to actually start to make sense of alot of what was going on, but there's just something so mystical and seemingly profound about that book that it just keeps me coming back for more. The cannabalistic feast scene is personally my most engrossed and intense moment of reading I think I've ever experienced.
Thanks for the great list. It feels a bit bad I didn't know (or realise) that The Forever War was a protest novel against the Vietnam war and learning about this extra dimension makes the book even more valuable and interesting. I'm glad you mentioned the time dilation in that work. It's one of the best books I know of that manages to depict the effects of time dilation on humans.
The book that got me hooked on Science Fiction was Heinlien's "Have Space Suit,Will Travel". I've really dated myself!
Same here! Grade school! So called 'juvenile' Heinlien is awesome.
Timeless book! Literally...
One that isn't talked about too much is Ken Macleod. I really love his Engines of Light trilogy, which is a breathtaking mix of satire, political thriller, space road movie, and space opera. It sounds silly and eclectic and... It kind of is, but it works. Perhaps because the main story is interesting, imaginative, and gripping.
Much recommended!
I met him at a party in Edinburgh once, nice bloke.
Great list! I love several of these. I never have seen The world inside mentioned before! I absolutely love it
Hyperion is awesome, I'm glad to see it getting some love. And, altough I agree that the first book is better than the second, I think the second expands on the universe in an AMAZING way, and I actually like it a lot (except for 2 things near the end).
I just found the video and the channel, and I'm glad I did, because I have added a few of the books in my list, so, thanks!
I loved The Fall of Hyperion except for two gigantic plotholes I pretend I didn't read when remembering my overall enjoyment of the book
@@PsychoholicSlag83 I'm not sure I know what those are, but I 100% pretend I didn't read some things when remembering the book as well, lol. Shrike vs Lamia being one of them, in my case
@@MultiWar22 Father Duré not remembering Severn when he appears in his dream (dude, he was just with you in the Vatican planet) and The Consul knowing about the Technocore's Ultimate AI (how/when did he get that info?)
@@PsychoholicSlag83 Well, I'm glad I don't even remember those things lmao
Love the vid. Your enthusiasm for books/ this genre shines through in the way you can summarise these selections. I also love the fact that your list includes much older works like Wells' "The Time Machine".
Have you read much Ray Bradbury? His "Martian Chronicles" has got to be a classic of the genre... Also, I was wondering what you thought of Philip K Dick's work?
Not sure how popular they are in the US but a couple of British writers you might like to check out are John Wyndham and Michael Moorcock. The latter is probably most famous for his fantasy novels (The Eternal Champion / Elric of Melnibone series) but he is also a prolific sci-fi writer.
Then, of course, you have Edgar Rice Burroughs. Everyone knows he wrote Tarzan but few know he also wrote sci-fi based on Mars and Venus... Pulp fiction maybe, but he knows how to write a good story!
Just randomly came across this video and what a great watch. I watched hoping some of my favorite s would come up, what I got instead was a passionate endorsement of some books I feel I need to go read right now.
Thanks for this interesting list. I'm planning on starting The Dying Earth next.
Any book the piques your curiosity and interest is most definitely worth a mention. Nice picks, I've read a few, I'm rather late to the sci-fi genre , other than some of the big name authors / classics, I've got a lot of pleasant catching up to do.
I love how passionately you describe your favorite books. Thank you for these reviews.
Whole heartedly agree with Fire Upon the Deep, absolutely a must read. Two other authors not on the list I'd recommend are David Brin and Greg Bear
Cugel the clever is probably my favorite character in all of sci-fi/fantasy.
Nice Laibach t-shirt! I love how you focus on sci-fi from previous decades.
Startide Rising by David Brin is an epic story on a galactic scale. A stand alone, but it's also the start of an astonishing series.
The Plioscene Saga by Julian May is another sweeping epic.
Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear is worth your time.
There's just so much out there...!
Found both Brin and May at my university bookstore (Bear came later, loved him as well), and loved them both. But May's Plioscene Saga was THE series I've read again and again... Incredible example of a writer who had it all, but she was never so stuck up as to let the story lag. A stunning life's work 🧡
Hey, I just discovered your channel and I look forward to some of your other contents in the future. I love booktubes that don't only recommend YA for once so I get a lot of good recommendations. Thanks!
Some great books here. I was most delighted to see “Midworld” and “The World Inside” on your list, they were both a favorites of mine as a teenager and helped stoke my appetite for science fiction.
Fire Upon the Deep is my all time fav. It holds up, i reread it every couple years and everyone I've recommended it too also loves it.
Hey! TH-cam algorithm just recommended this video to me, and I've now subscribed to your channel! That was a great list. I've read several of the entries here, but not all of them. It especially seems that Verner Vinge is a significant lack in my SF reading. Fire upon the Deep sound so intriguing! GOod call on Silverberg, Clarke, Le Guin, Simmons, Bester, and especailly (from my personaly perspective anyway), Vance. I think the Dying Earth changed my life. I actually think I jumped in surprise when you mentioned this book as I really wasn't expecting it. If you want to see Vance operating in a much more SF-oriented mould (but maintaining that use of language and high prose that he's got), I definitely suggest checking out the series The Demon Princes. Five short books, that become increasingly immersive and anthropologically/psychologically fascinating as they go on.
Welcome. Congrats on having good taste. A used bookstore owner chastized me for not having read the Demon Princes books. I'm also curious about the Dirdir/Pnume series, don't recall the proper name.
The Dirdir/Pnume series has the rather plain title "Planet of Adventure" they're definitely worth reading. The Demon Princes series has my favorite book, but I won't say which one so you can read without bias.
Yeah, planet of adventure is great. Maybe not quite as all encompassing as demon princess but still. He also has a few other really awesome series and standalone books. An author I'm very happy to call a favorite!
Haldeman has a lot of great books including Forever War. Glad to see him mentioned.
Wow! Great list! Especially gratified to see The Shadow of the Torturer.
Nice list, old favourites and some surprises I've noted TBR
Huge fan of Vinge in general and Fire Upon the Deep/Deepness in the Sky in particular. Just by way of clarification--the Zones of Thought concept is based on the density of matter in a region of the galaxy. Near the center you have the Unthinking Depths, where sentience is not possible, next out is the Slowness, where humans live, and neither AI nor faster-than-light travel is possible, and every civilization tends to the Age of Failed Dreams. Then there is the Beyond, where AI and FTL is possible, and where most of the plot takes place, and finally, the Transcend--full of Powers that can wreak havoc and source of the Blight that forms the main plot. Absolutely fantastic book in every way!
Great recs. The Dying Earth is going straight on my tbr. 👍
This is my first visit to your channel. I've read nine of the 16 books on your list and agree that it's a great list, although i'd probably essentially change the order of your list -- which is no insult considering the number of SF books we've both apparently read. The Dispossed may be my favorite novel in any genre (although I hate the one footnote in the novel; novels shouldn't contain footnotes!), and Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun (you can't stop at The Shadow of the Torturer; it's a single novel told over four books) is high up there. As is Hyperion; I'll read the phone book if Dan Simmons writes it. I recently reread The Stars My Destination and recently read The Forever War for the first time. Both are classics. It's amazing how many older -- meaning pre-1985 -- books made both our lists.
Just popping in to say, love your content. Way back in the late 1980's, I was dating a guy who was into sci fi and had about 200 paperbacks. Over the course of our several year relationship, I worked my way through most of them. Became a huge fan of Larry Niven at that time (I still think about Lucifer's Hammer to this day). And of course all of the Foundation Asimov books. I read the Martian Chronicles as part of a literature class in high school (along with Andromeda Strain and Stranger in a Strange Land). Whenever I am looking for something new to read, I look up the Hugo/Nebula list and work my way through it. I've read most of what you've reviewed, but you've given me a few to seek out. I believe that books are meant to be read, so I don't tend to hoard them on a shelf, believing they should be out in the world finding other hands and minds. But I have a copy of Hyperion on my shelf to this day. Just a stunning book. Oh, and 100% in agreement on Robert Heinlein. I may have thrown Friday across the room in a fit when reading it while traveling in Mexico, desperate for something in English. An old white guys masturbation fantasy. Just yuck. Though to this day I think about the main character in Tunnel in the Sky, who chose NOT to bring a weapon on his adventure, because he believed he would lead him to let his guard down with the false sense of safety it provided. Keep the reviews coming.
I tried to read Friday when I was 14 and found it wretched even then
Lucifer's Hammer is a much better story than Armageddon or Deep Impact. So why didn't they make a movie out of it, instead of those two scripts? There's no justice.
The man in the arena
I was just checking this to compare it to my own preferences (i like sci-fi, but i haven't read a ton). I was going to be passive but I had to smash the like button when you said The Stars, My Destination. I think this one tops my personal list.
I'm re-reading Deepness in the Sky right now. I usually read the entire Hyperion series every other winter or thereabouts. Agree that Fire Upon the Deep is a masterpiece. Benford, Brin , and Bear wrote some excellent books as well.
Just finished the hyperion series. Epic story! And good closure I was impressed. Very intense at times.
Fire upon the deep great book
I was very surprised (and pleased) to see Expedition on this list. I am fascinated by extraterrestrial flora/fauna, and this book with all of it's excellent artwork and wild view of exoplanet creatures absolutely fascinated me. I agree, one of the top 15.
One of my all-time favorite stand-alone novels is Isaac Asimov & Robert Silverberg's Nightfall. This is a full novel based on Asimov's earlier short story of the same name. It's just wonderful, and I keep re-reading it every few years.
Actually just found it in a little free library a couple nights ago.
Asimov's various tales on, Robotics are simply riveting , not only the stories, but the history behind his creation.
I'm halfway through it and I wish every story in it was a full length book!
Young man, I am impressed! This is a great overview of many generations of SCIFI. Thanks.
You have an exquisite taste in science fiction. A good mix of well-known to lesser known books. Read almost all the well-known ones. Time to read the others. 🙂🤟
Was tempted to subscribe as soon as I saw Deepness at 5. I actually have more of an attachment to it than Fire Upon The Deep, but I can't argue with your ranking. Once I saw the rest of the top 5 I subbed, and I'm resolved to go back and read the ones I haven't yet. Your taste definitely appeals to me.
For what it's worth, here's my top ten: 10. The Mote in God's Eye, 9. Gateway, 8. Ender's Game, 7. Hyperion, 6. Fahrenheit 451, 5. A Canticle for Leibowitz, 4. The Left Hand of Darkness, 3. Brave New World, 2. 1984, 1. Dune.
Great choice
Good list. Although I would trade 10 for 1.
Great list! There is not a single book on this list that I absolutely didn't love. I might argue with the placement on the list of certain books, but other than that you've hit a home run here.
Good list
Very kino list, need to check out some of these. Nicely done.
I just stumbled across your channel. As a fellow book lover, I'm looking forward to your recommendations.
Great suggestions! A handfull I havent read, but now will.
I also love shorter, tighter sci-fi novels, now that many seems like trilogies, 800 pages pr. book. Picnic at the roadside and Gateway to recommend two ...
Alan Dean Foster is always entertaining, very underrated author imo
Foster made the Alien novelization so much better than it had any right to be. I mean, starting right there in the first paragraph/chapter.
Foster is very entertaining. The treatment he has received from them is one of the reasons I can’t stand Disney.
A wrinkle in time is what got me reading books, when I was 8 or 9, so thank you Ursula
Very interesting list. The Dying Earth and The Stars My Destination are two of my favourite books. I saw the Bester book also as a rendition of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Same here! Had to scroll down just too see who else would say this and you’re the first. Funny the comparison only dawned on me after I watched the Count of Monte Cristo again (years after reading Destination) but not when I was reading The Stars My Destination, if that makes any sense.
Kudos for including The Iron Heel. Always loved Jack London's stuff. I've probably read half the books on your list. Collected a lot of Jack Vance as a kid.
An interesting book published shortly after WWI is “City of Endless Night” by Milo Hastings, where a defeated Germany rebuilds itself underground. If this sounds a bit like the film “Metropolis” I can only say that Hastings was there first.
Bold selection for your top pick, but yes possibly the best Sci-Fi book I've read. Ty for your content. Keep going pls.
You have totally sold me on The Iron Heel... 💯 Ordering it now ... Thanks
This is an excellent list. Some of those on your list would be on mine. As to "Hyperion", the first two books are excellent, the others not so much. Thanks for doing this.
Interesting choices! You know your sci-fi. I've read most of the authors you named but there are titles I've only heard of and not investigated. Yet. Thanks.
Thanks for your review of The Worlds Inside. I found a mint brand new book printed in 1971 on ebay which I received today, can't wait to read it tonight!
Great list. I urge you to finish Book of the new sun as I feel you do get answers in the end of what was going on and can see the puzzle pieces. People tend to revel in the style of how obtuse and mysterious it can be overselling the fact it’s beyond understanding and not knowing what happened when really it’s not some finnegans wake gibberish and has quite discernible answers.
Also I love jack Vance as well but I believe Gene Wolfe surpassed him with Book Of the New Sun it’s up there as one of my favourite Sci fi series.. He definitely was heavily borrowing from tales of the dying earth but few works are of pure originality I suppose.
Just finished Mid World. I really loved the last two pages of the book. The way he illustrates the idea of the underlying connection of living things is quite beautiful. I like big ideas. The big ideas in The Iron Heel are also amazing. The struggle of mankind to grow out of exploitative and self predatory modes of behavior towards cooperation and a universal loyalty towards humanity.
A strong list, all very worthy. I read a lot of these some years ago, but I found myself leaning more towards more modern space opera/harder sci-fi of writers like Peter F. Hamilton, Alistar Reynolds and Iain M. Banks (RIP) these days. Always love looking at other people's opinions. A book/short story I think you'll like is The Black Corridor by Michael Moorcock, a sci-fi/thriller/psychological treatment. Vastly underrated.
You mention of Moorcock brought back a memory of the long-forgotten, but much enjoyed Dancers at the End of Time series he wrote. In it, while exploring the vast differences and striking similarities between the Victorian Era and The End of Time (AND the 1970s!), Moorcock does a remarkable (and seemingly sincere) job of creating an actual, honest-to-God ROMANCE!
I remember thinking that the relationship between a super-decadent end-of-time character and a proper Victorian lass was no more unlikely than MOORCOCK ACTUALLY WRITING IT. I was completely entertained, and enjoyed it on several levels.
Probably not a Top 15 candidate, but a recommend if...well, I was going to say "If you like that sort of thing.", but there are no other examples of "that sort of thing". It's pretty unique.
@@Trollificusv2 Fairly sure there was a whole lot of "natural remedies" being imbimed during that period of writing. 😃
The names of the Culture ships alone in Iain.M.Banks books deserved an award! Fave Sci-Fi series.
My book list keeps growing when I watch this channel.
A Canticle For Leibowitz (Walter Miller). Beautifully written, funny, humane and despairing.
One of best books ever written 👌
I just ordered that book, I heard it mentioned on a couple sites
Yes, this book has always stayed with me. I've got to reread it again one day...
One of Allen Dean Fosters best was the ice World Series of two or three books.( I forget which ). Very clever and exciting combination of shipwreck and alien culture meet. With the twist of a frozen world. Two of the titles were Icerigger and Mission to Moulikan
The third is The Deluge Drivers where global warming is important to the story.
Peter F. Hamilton, my favorite SF author. Perhaps as prophetic as HG Wells. We'll see. I grew up reading HG Wells, Jules Verne Conan Doyle, Azimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Bova, Niven (Ringworld, all of them) and most of the ones you mention. Now days, Hamilton often blends fantasy and SF space opera. His sci fi is spectacular, the smooth transition into fantasy in the same books is handled gracefully. The Night's Dawn Trilogy, Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained, The Evolutionary Void trilogy, the Salvation Trilogy. All lot's of fun.
Love Hamilton! I think the explanation/history of the aliens in Pandora and Judas was excellent.
He's great. One of my favorites is Great North Road. I had to read it twice to appreciate it.
My introduction to PFH was The Night's Dawn Trilogy. I thought this was a fantasic bit of space opera. I devourd those books and have since read them again. Twice. And whilst The Commonwealth Saga was an enjoyable read, I wouldn't spend the time reading it again. I really couldn't get on with The Void Trilogy. I didn't really like the heavy mix of SF and fantasy. Had to really stuggle suspending my belief to finish it. Now, I know that there were some fantasy elements in Night's Dawn, souls being an example, but it still felt much more SF than fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I love both SF and fantasy. I just prefer them to be in separate books. Please don't take this as a critique on someone elses tastes. It's just my personal preference.
Nice to see a fan of Alan Dean Foster. I loved his 'Icerigger' books.
I had the first one when I was a kid but must have lost it somewhere along the way.
I loved his The Damned series when I was a kid and thought that it was a really fun reversal of expectations. The humans are the homicidal monsters and the alien species are terrified of us. Kind of pulpy but a page turner.
Foster is not a great writer but he tells great stories. One of my prized possessions is a of "The end of the Matter" with hand edited typo directions and a few just word or sentinel changes. It was bought in 1980 at an auction. A lady took pity on me as I was lottery binding my last cent I had on me and she let me have it. Signed by him right after the suction.
"The Forever War" was the best book find of my life, and I do mean find. Someone left it in a hotel lobby where I worked; I hope whoever it was finished it. I picked it up and starting reading. It won all the standard SF awards, and deservedly so.
I agree completely, Forever War and Starship Troopers are the best treatments of war I'm aware of, albeit from different perspectives. You might like the direct sequel to FW, Forever Free also. Cheers, Brother
Just reading it at moment superb
Agreed, awesome. And so is Forever Peace.
Even though it sux (lol)
Hey! Just got this vid recommended by the algorithm and recognised your name from Moid's last book haul vid. Fucking love this list and how you explain yourself.. super chill, interesting and devoid of snobbery haha.. subbed!
I do a lot of driving for my job (up to 4 or 5 hours a day) so thanks for the recommendations!
Great list, and a tasty similar to mine. I've read 9 of these, and 8 of them would make my top 20 list. Two more from Vinge would be up there (The Peace War and Marooned in Real Time), plus two each from David Brin (Startide Rising and The Practice Effect), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game and The Worthing Saga) and John Wyndham (Day of the Triffids and The Crysalids).
I stood up and saluted when you included The Shadow of the Torturer. Really!
And my tbr piles up even more thank you sir subscribed
Your list is profoundly excellent. My hypthetical version of this video would have lined the books in the same order and described them the same way. I am so glad I watched this. Very cool.
Also, 'boring the way Le Guin is, sorry'. Best line in your video! I love Le Guin and have since I was a kid. She is also truely boring! That is how you know she is good cuz you don't feel pain from her boringness. Hilarious statement.
Wow, I feel bad I got rid of my old, unread copy of A Fire Upon the Deep but I need to pick up a copy now. You're the second booktuber to have this at the top of their list (Hoid at Media Death Cult being the other). Bester's also been on my list and now I have a few more. Thanks for a great list.
I love Moid, he has great taste. FUTD is pretty easy to find at used bookstores, or at least it is out here. Definitely worth picking back up.
cannot freakin wait to read a fire upon the deep and a few of the others you mentioned now. thanks for this man. much appreciated.
Great list. I would definitely add Iain Banks and Peter Hamilton, especially Banks. Use of Weapons is my no 1 SciFi book of all time.
Mine's the player of games. Still a lot of Iain Banks unread though
Peter F Hamiltons ' Second chance at Eden' is brilliant and one of the most provocative novellas I've read recently. His Nights Dawn trilogy was also one crazy ride.
Great that you include 'A Fire Upon the Deep' and 'A Deepness in the Sky'. Those are my favorites. The world(s) of those books were so unique. I like other sci-fi, but sometimes the books/series blend together due to similar aspects of the stories. E.g. Hyperion and Revelation Space (both of which I enjoyed, but didn't read past the 1st books). Fire and Deepness are distinct and memorable. Funny that you found Fire better than Deepness. It seems that fan opinions are divided on which is better. And it's confusing that the 2nd book is a prequel, but so much earlier in timeframe that it's almost, but not quite, a separate, standalone book and universe. Personally, I think Deepness is even better than Fire. When I started it after Fire, I was extremely doubtful about the fact that it abandons the mind-bending, galaxy-wide scope of the first book and the mind-bending faaaarr future ideas and technologies of Fire, and centers on a (relatively) more prosaic story in a relatively small corner of the galaxy with a comparatively primative set of technologies. But I found it more human and the story more riveting. It was somehow even more epic.
I loved Midworld! Never heard anyone else mention it before! I remember thinking it was very like Hothouse, by Brian Aldiss and another novel by Brian M Stableford whose title I forget, but I enjoyed it more than either of those. I love Vernor Vinge too, but my favourite of his books is Across Realtime, whose simple concept is both incredible and incredibly well done. Excellent list, though!
Just finished “The Stars My Destination”. What an awesome book! Wildly imaginative, fast-paced, funny, even philosophical. Amazing.
Loved your list,thank you. Agree with your views on A Fire Upo The Deep . Oddly enough though I enjoyed Fall of Hyperion and the Endymion books more than Hyperion.
I think I enjoy listening to you talk about the books rather than the actual reading! I'm going to read Fire Upon the Deep before pronouncing you all-knowing master of the genre.
Thanks Joe. I promise you I'm not that.
As a long time lover of Gene Wolfe's work, your review is an almost perfect capturing of rhe experience.
An interesting list but I must say that I have never read any of the 16 books you mentioned though I know of the classic authors (e.g. H.G. Wells, Robert Silverberg).
I haven't read a lot of SciFi but one that I liked quite a bit is "Urn Burial" by Robert Westall. The author originally wrote it as a short story with the same title which I read first. Then a few years later he expanded it into a novel and I quickly read that when it came out.
I believe it is what some people label as a "Soft Core SciFi" where the characters and their relationships are the central focus and the science is important but a backdrop to it.
So I subscribed to your channel and look forward to hearing what else you have to say.
Not on very many top lists, but should be, is "Lurking Near The Oregon Coast." It's at Amazon.
I've been telling people with any interest in Sci-Fi to read Mote, Ringworld, Varley's Gaea trilogy and Simmons Illium/Olympos as quickly as they can. Haven't read Vinge at all, somehow. I'll rectify that. Greatly appreciate your efforts.
I envy you that first read experience of the Vinge books!
There is no Anti-Memetics Division, as a recommendation for a compelling read that stays with you long afterwards, the way you can catch yourself thinking about a fire upon the deep’s zones of thought or it’s perverse instantiation AI months or years later.
The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi was also a truly splendid and delightful read and series (the first book of a trilogy). Clever and memorable and packed with sci-fi ideas and references and creativity. Just a gem.
I’veread two thirds of your list; looking forward to discovering the others. Thanks for the synopsis and general list quality.
I have antimemetics division on my shelf, high on my TBR. Hadn't heard of quantum thief, thanks.
I loved there is no anti-memetics division even though I’m not sure what it was trying to say, if anything lol
Was gratifying to see so many of my favourite books on your list. However, I didn't find AFUTD to be that intriguing. My impression was, it was good YA sci-fi, but could have used a good editor to improve its readability.
I watch quite a few book reviews on youtube looking for potential new reads. I think yours are among the most clear and well-spoken.
Dude I love your background! 😂
It’s such a contrast to the TH-cam channels that have the borglike sameness. Same mic, same “cinematic” lighting, etc. blah blah blah.
Maybe a happy medium as a suggestion…😂
So glad to see Fire Upon the Deep at number one. It’s truly epic and I remember reading my fathers copy in the late 90s. I couldn’t put the book down and had it read in a few days. Pure, unadulterated space porn lol! I could just gush forever about it. I never see it mentioned and wish more people could read and experience such a wonderful book. The ending is just jaw dropping and as you said, the sequel sucks. I remember being so excited when Children of the Sky was announced and then when I finally got it i actually gave up part way through. Went back to it recently as an audiobook just so that I could fill a hole, but was disappointed. I have often wondered if we’re at the stage in terms of CGI where a movie or 3 could do it justice. Almost like Star Wars, Avatar and Lord of the rings smashed together. It would need someone like James Cameron who is always pushing the boundaries to take up the project. I know they could do most ot well based on the quality of sci fi films & TV shows. My one worry is that theTines would need very carefully & thoughtfully visualised & realised. They’re such a unique species…
There's so much meat on the bone that they could do a multi season show just off the original book
While his first two (Grim's World and The Witling) had some good ideas without being spectacular, The Peace War and Marooned in Real Time blew me away. In the second, he developed the idea of a singularity, which has taken a life of its own. He's my favourite author for sheer ideas, with only Card and Brin coming close.
@@Bookpilled His real-time series would also be fertile ground for a television series.
But Deepness In The Sky is even better imo. With the space battles and full control surveillance notes. AND the zombie computer people (name?) And the spider people. I also wondered how you could portray them on the screen without looking dumb. If someone could make you have feeling and empathy for a 🕷️. But this HAS to be put on film somehow
Wonderful list, especially for someone new to the genre.
Thanks Mate. That was enjoyable to listen to. You are a great describer!! Just reading Endymion atm..sooo good :) I will definitely read some of the novels you have DESCRIBED here on your list.
Took your recommendation and ordered Expedition. Love your content!
Good call, wish I could read it for the first time again
@@Bookpilled Also just ordered Annihilation from your store! Can't wait to see Alex Garland's new film.
@@jakecole1036 Awesome, thank you Jake. Looked up Garland, didn't realize he was responsible for so many movies I like. Dredd was such a masterpiece.
@@Bookpilled agreed! SLO-MO!!! And he wrote sunshine. Underrated imo. Such a fun sci-fi with a little horror.
I have been reading SF for more than 50 years and for a long time I did not have the amazing experience of reading Octavia E. Butler´s books. They are amazing and completely original, not all of them, but I am refering to her series Patternists and the Xenogenesis Trilogy. HIGHLY RECOMEND and inmy opinion MUST READ. Try them !!!
Jack London’s The Jacket is a book I like a lot. Another work of science fiction and social commentary. I sometimes get it mixed up in my head with Gogol’s The Overcoat.
I picked up and enjoyed reading Fire Upon the Deep. I'll reread after I process the idea of vindictive butterflies for a bit. Thanks for your listing.
Thank you! Glad you liked it.