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
How many have you read?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Celebrate the work of two titans.
By Carolyn Cox
Extraterrestrial 'Overlords' create a utopia. But at what cost?
By Carolyn Cox
Discover a blistering dystopia from the mind behind The Man Who Fell to Earth.
By Carolyn Cox
On writing thrillers inspired by "in-the-weeds" science.
By Jena Brown
Out-of-this-world reads with characters on the ace spectrum.
Get bi with these unforgettable reads.
By Jena Brown
Celebrate these authors as we take a look at their diverse body of work.
Have all the stories been written?
How many have you read?
By Carolyn Cox
A wealth of new stories grow from seeds the late Butler left behind.
By Nisi Shawl
Grab your towel and dive into these hilarious works.
By Diana La Paz
In Vauhini Vara’s epic first novel, one man’s genius and ambition have global consequences.
By Carolyn Cox
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