Since the publication of the first-ever sci-fi book—arguably Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein—the genre has been in constant dialogue with our present. Sci-fi books encourage readers to envision new realities, and often prove prescient, both in imagining tech that eventually becomes real, and predicting events that come to pass.
The breadth of the genre can make it seem intimidating to new readers, but we recommend 50 of the best sci-fi novels ever to start your reading voyage. Or, you can explore sci-fi’s eras in chronological order, from the early classics by authors such as Jules Verne and H.G Wells and the so-called Golden Age of Sci-Fi, to the New Wave, to more recent must-reads from the past few decades.
Alternatively, it’s possible to break your sci-fi book exploration down into subgenres. Do you prefer interstellar epics with drama on a galactic scale? Consider space opera. Do you want your stories to be grounded in reality and natural sciences? Then hard sci-fi is probably for you.
Or perhaps you’re a veteran sci-fi reader whose shelves are heavy with staples of the genre. In that case, The Portalist recommends hidden gems and underrated books to complete your collection.
Regardless of where you are on your sci-fi reading journey, The Portalist’s sci-fi book stories can guide you on your voyage among the stars
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By Carolyn Cox
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By Carolyn Cox
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By Carolyn Cox
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By Olivia Mason
The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Hall of Famer wrote genre fiction with a conscience.
By Olivia Mason
Meet this year's must-read series.
By Carolyn Cox
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By Carolyn Cox
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By Carolyn Cox
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Are you there, Hollywood? It's us, sci-fi and fantasy fans.
By Olivia Mason
In space, no one can hear you scream—and if you're picking up one of these books, that might be for the better.
By Carolyn Cox
The late writer Stanislaw Lem lived a fascinating life, and left behind an influential legacy.