# 50 Essential Science Fiction Novels for a Public Library **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 28, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193 "2014-04-28T15:42:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/1 "2014-04-28T15:42:49Z")
I am making a list of the 50 science fiction novels that every public library, large and small, should have on the shelf. There are many “best” and “most important” lists out there, and some of them are very good, but none are exactly what I’m looking for. I’m well aware that no consensus will ever be achieved here, but having done a ton of research over the years, I’m pretty satisfied with the preliminary list that I’ve created. I thought I’d throw the question out to you guys as well to see what you come up with as well. I’ll share my own list and more details downthread some. Nitpicking expected. 😛 The list is to be of novels that are fundamental to the genre, so please try to look beyond what you are personally enthusiastic about and consider what is important to the genre as a whole. Assume that shelf space and cost are not at issue. Note that this list of 50 is a subset of a larger list of science fiction books that a given library ought to have, so exclusion from this list does not mean that the book will not be a recommended acquisition. The parameters of the larger list are not as strict. Parameters: - The list will not be ranked 1 - 50. The only question is whether it is on or off this particular list. - The list is for science fiction only. Fantasy should not be included. Science fiction with some fantasy elements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. - Simple popularity as measured by sales or circulation numbers is not enough to get a book on this list. - Maximum of 3 books by an author. - Sequels and series - Only the first book in the sequence will be listed. I can add a note on crucial sequels if needed. (I’ve made one exception to this in my own list.) - Short stories - Multi-author and “best of” anthologies are not to be included. Regular single-author short story collections may be. - Young Adult - YA science fiction may be included if it is genuinely important to the genre as a whole. - Links to other lists and previous threads are welcome, but please give us your personal input. To save us some time and effort and to get us started, here are a few books that are on the list that I don’t think too many people would argue with. Adams, Douglas - Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Bradbury, Ray - Fahrenheit 451 Card, Orson Scott - Ender’s Game Herbert, Frank - Dune Huxley, Aldous - Brave New World Le Guin, Ursula K. - Left Hand of Darkness Orwell, George - Nineteen Eighty-Four Pohl, Frederik - Gateway Shelley, Mary - Frankenstein Simmons, Dan - Hyperion Wells, H.G. - War of the Worlds So whatcha’ got? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/2 "2014-04-28T16:06:24Z")
William Gibson, Neuromancer Vernor Vinge, A Light Upon the Deep Isaac Asimov, Foundation AE Van Vogt, Voyage of the Space Beagle Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood’s End C. J. Cherryh, Downbelow Station Iain Banks, Use of Weapons that should do for starters ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/3 "2014-04-28T16:11:51Z")
Alfred Bester, **The Stars My Destination** Robert Heinlein **Double Star** Samuel R. Delany **Dhalgren** or **The Einstein Intersection** Edgar Pangbourn, **Davy** John Wyndham, **The Day of the Triffids** Jasper fforde, **Shades of Grey** Andreas Eschbach, **The Carpet Makers** ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/4 "2014-04-28T16:13:03Z")
The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch - Philip K Dick ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/5 "2014-04-28T16:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Bradbury, Ray - Fahrenheit 451 > Huxley, Aldous - Brave New World > Orwell, George - Nineteen Eighty-Four > Shelley, Mary - Frankenstein doesn’t science fiction need to be set in space, have aliens visiting earth or involve time travel. i would say that is the bare minimum for science fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/6 "2014-04-28T16:20:01Z")
OK, I read the Amazon preview of Fforde’s book and I had no interest in it based on the preview, so I’m gonna challenge that one. I would say it is not even a good book, much less an essential. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/7 "2014-04-28T16:24:53Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > doesn’t science fiction need to be set in space, have aliens visiting earth or involve time travel. i would say that is the bare minimum for science fiction. I’m sorry, but that’s incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/8 "2014-04-28T16:28:24Z")
Perhaps this is a larger conversation for another thread but I’ve never thought of 1984 as science fiction. It’s merely set in the future. And it turns out that Asimov agrees with me!: [REVIEW OF 1984 By Isaac Asimov I](http://www.newworker.org/ncptrory/1984.htm) ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/9 "2014-04-28T16:31:53Z")
Neal Stephenson, **Snow Crash** and **The Diamond Age** Larry Niven, **Ringworld** ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/10 "2014-04-28T16:44:55Z")
Public librarian checking in. If you want to save a slot in your 50, **Frankenstein** (actually, ALL of those) would already be in the catalog as a classic (required in the collection for schoolwork) so it doesn’t have to be in the SF list. I’d say the others (1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451) were too far into speculative fiction to be on a specifically SF list, but that tends to be a very personal judgement call. Asimov needs to have **Foundation** , and something with the Robots. Actually, for the Robots, a good short story collection would be the best representation of the 3 Laws universe. I nominate **The Complete Robot** for the spot. Anyone noted Kim Stanley Robinson’s **Red Mars** yet? Also, I think **Snow Crash** was pretty influential. Something from Bank’s **Culture** ought to be on the list, but I don’t know the series well enough to say which. Likewise Brin’s **Uplift** series is notable, but I don’t know which of them would be best to list. Personally I’d choose **Brightness Reef** , but I’m a sucker for dolphins. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/11 "2014-04-28T16:50:15Z")
Are we limited to novels? I and many other fans believe that the short story is a much more apt medium for the genre, and you can fit a whole collection of short stories into the same shelf space as a single novel. Any volume of _The Hugo Winners_ would be a good choice; they’re all regarded as good, and give the reader exposure to a wide variety of authors, whom they can pursue more of on their own. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/12 "2014-04-28T16:57:16Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Perhaps this is a larger conversation for another thread but I’ve never thought of 1984 as science fiction. It’s merely set in the future. And it turns out that Asimov agrees with me!: [REVIEW OF 1984 By Isaac Asimov I](http://www.newworker.org/ncptrory/1984.htm) And Margaret Atwood doesn’t think she’s written any science fiction! 😛 Thanks for the link to the article. For the purposes of this thread, let’s say that we’ll just follow the generally accepted definition of what constitutes science fiction. Suggestions so far: William Gibson, Neuromancer - It’s on the list Vernor Vinge, A Light Upon the Deep - Do you mean A Fire Upon the Deep? I’m considering it, but it may get bumped down. Isaac Asimov, Foundation - On the list, with a note that the whole trilogy should be included. AE Van Vogt, Voyage of the Space Beagle - Not sure this is really top-50 Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood’s End - This would be my choice for one of Clarke’s 3 spots. C. J. Cherryh, Downbelow Station - Currently grouped in second tier. Iain Banks, Use of Weapons - I have no Banks on the list right now. Why this one, especially since it looks like the 3rd in a series? Alfred Bester, **The Stars My Destination** - On the list Robert Heinlein **Double Star** - With only 3 slots for Heinlein, there are others I’d call more essential. Samuel R. Delany **Dhalgren** or **The Einstein Intersection** - I’m not quite sure what to do about Delany! Edgar Pangbourn, **Davy** - Essential to the post-apoc subgenre, but I’m not sure it makes the top 50 as a whole. John Wyndham, **The Day of the Triffids** - Same as above, sadly. Jasper fforde, **Shades of Grey** - Haven’t heard of it before now. I’m going to read it for sure, but I can’t see that it’s essential. Andreas Eschbach, **The Carpet Makers** - Another that doesn’t seem essential. The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch - Philip K Dick - Other Dick works will probably fill the top spots. Neal Stephenson, **Snow Crash** and **The Diamond Age** - Ah yes, the Stephenson problem! He needs to be on the list, but I’m not sure which to choose. I’m leaning towards Snow Crash and possibly one other. Larry Niven, **Ringworld** - On the list. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/13 "2014-04-28T17:00:36Z")
I would demand a science fiction library featuring an ABC of the overlords of the genre: Asimov, Bester, Clarke! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/14 "2014-04-28T17:00:58Z")
Arthur Clarke – _Rendezvous With Rama_ and _Fountains of Paradise_. Isaac Asimov – the whole _Foundation_ trilogy, also _I, Robot_ Joe Haldeman – _The Forever War_ Tolkien - _Lord of the Rings_ (the whole trilogy) Heinlein – _Stranger in a Strange Land_ and _Starship Troopers_ Philip Dick – _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?_ Anthiny Burgess – _A Clockwork Orange_ Walter Miller – _A Canticle for Liebowitz_ HG Wells – _The Time Machine_ and _The War of the Worlds_ Jules Verne – _20.000 Leagues Under the Sea_ Danial Keyes – _Flowers for Algernon_ Larry Niven – _Ringworld_ and _Lucifer’s Hammer_ ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/15 "2014-04-28T17:06:08Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > I would demand a science fiction library featuring an ABC of the overlords of the genre: Asimov, Bester, Clarke! What about Ray Bradbury? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/16 "2014-04-28T17:08:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Are we limited to novels? I and many other fans believe that the short story is a much more apt medium for the genre, and you can fit a whole collection of short stories into the same shelf space as a single novel. Any volume of _The Hugo Winners_ would be a good choice; they’re all regarded as good, and give the reader exposure to a wide variety of authors, whom they can pursue more of on their own. See the parameters in the OP regarding short stories. The purpose of the project is not exactly what you’re assuming it is. > [@Lasciel](#): > > If you want to save a slot in your 50, **Frankenstein** (actually, ALL of those) would already be in the catalog as a classic (required in the collection for schoolwork) so it doesn’t have to be in the SF list. The list is of essential science fiction, so it belongs on the list. The fact that it is also a literary classic does not change that. It’s fine that it would already be in the collection. > [@](#): > > I’d say the others (1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451) were too far into speculative fiction to be on a specifically SF list, but that tends to be a very personal judgement call. Do you mean that you don’t consider them science fiction? > [@](#): > > Asimov needs to have **Foundation** , and something with the Robots. Actually, for the Robots, a good short story collection would be the best representation of the 3 Laws universe. I nominate **The Complete Robot** for the spot. Does the Complete Robot include everything in I, Robot? If so, I will replace I, Robot with the Complete Robot on the list. > [@](#): > > Anyone noted Kim Stanley Robinson’s **Red Mars** yet? It’s in the second category right now. > [@](#): > > Something from Bank’s **Culture** ought to be on the list, but I don’t know the series well enough to say which. Likewise Brin’s **Uplift** series is notable, but I don’t know which of them would be best to list. Personally I’d choose **Brightness Reef** , but I’m a sucker for dolphins. Things get kind of complicated when we talk about notable series instead of notable books, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/17 "2014-04-28T17:15:23Z")
Arthur Clarke – _Rendezvous With Rama_ and _Fountains of Paradise_. - Rama is firmly on the list. I have Childhood’s End, 2001, and Fountains of Paradise battling it out for the other two slots. Isaac Asimov – the whole _Foundation_ trilogy, also _I, Robot_ - Both on the list Joe Haldeman – _The Forever War_ - On the list. Tolkien - _Lord of the Rings_ (the whole trilogy) - Not science fiction. Heinlein – _Stranger in a Strange Land_ and _Starship Troopers_ - Starship Troopers is on. I have 2 others before SiaSL, so it’s currently second-tier, due to the 3 per author restriction. Philip Dick – _Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?_ - On the list. Anthiny Burgess – _A Clockwork Orange_ - On the list. Walter Miller – _A Canticle for Liebowitz_ - On the list HG Wells – _The Time Machine_ and _The War of the Worlds_ - Both on the list Jules Verne – _20.000 Leagues Under the Sea_ - On the list Danial Keyes – _Flowers for Algernon_ - Currrently in the next tier Larry Niven – _Ringworld_ and _Lucifer’s Hammer_ [/QUOTE] - Both on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/18 "2014-04-28T17:15:45Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > What about Ray Bradbury? I’m aware of his work. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/19 "2014-04-28T17:23:26Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > And Margaret Atwood doesn’t think she’s written any science fiction! 😛 Thanks for the link to the article. > > For the purposes of this thread, let’s say that we’ll just follow the generally accepted definition of what constitutes science fiction. > > Suggestions so far: > > William Gibson, Neuromancer - It’s on the list > Vernor Vinge, A Light Upon the Deep - Do you mean A Fire Upon the Deep? I’m considering it, but it may get bumped down. Yep, A Fire Upon The Deep. Its concept of an interstellar internet functioning as an audience for all that happens was brilliant, I thought. > [@](#): > > Isaac Asimov, Foundation - On the list, with a note that the whole trilogy should be included. I’d be OK with the whole trilogy but not any of those that came after. > [@](#): > > AE Van Vogt, Voyage of the Space Beagle - Not sure this is really top-50 Van Vogt was an original thinker who knew how to tell a story. Don’t let that disgruntled fanboy Damon Knight fool you. > [@](#): > > Iain Banks, Use of Weapons - I have no Banks on the list right now. Why this one, especially since it looks like the 3rd in a series? Well, first of all, the Culture novels are not a series, they’re all written as stand-alones. You don’t have to know jack-squat about any of the other novels to enjoy one of them. I chose Use of Weapons because it’s a very good representation of how the Culture deals with non-Culture societies, and it had some VERY powerful character development. Any of his other strong Culture novels would make the list. “Consider Phlebas” about the Idiran war or Excession about an encounter with an artifact whose technology is well in advance of the Culture’s, would also work just fine. > [@](#): > > Samuel R. Delany **Dhalgren** or **The Einstein Intersection** - I’m not quite sure what to do about Delany! I’ve TRIED to read Delaney, but I find him hopelessly dull. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193/20 "2014-04-28T17:33:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Are we limited to novels? I and many other fans believe that the short story is a much more apt medium for the genre, and you can fit a whole collection of short stories into the same shelf space as a single novel. Any volume of _The Hugo Winners_ would be a good choice; they’re all regarded as good, and give the reader exposure to a wide variety of authors, whom they can pursue more of on their own. I agree. IMHO the best science fiction focuses on a single aspect of future or scientific novelty and it’s ramifications. I’m sure there are plenty of people who do enjoy the novels and broadly constructed worlds created also, but the short stories starting in the pulp era and onward were highly influential. I would include the Weapons Shops of Isher in the list, either the novel or the short stories it was based on. Also Dragon’s Egg, which to me is the best hard science fiction novel ever written. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-essential-science-fiction-novels-for-a-public-library/687193.md?page=2)