Posted on 09/12/2014 5:32:37 PM PDT by Fzob
Happy National Read a Book Day! Celebrate with these essential sci-fi classics. Space, dystopian futures, robots, technology, aliens . . . what is there not to love about science fiction, a genre that stretches the imagination and offers a glimpse into what lies in a galaxy and time far, far away? Now that you've indulged on the most compelling, classic epic fantasy series, it's time to switch gears. Onward, futurists!
We recruited our own POPSUGAR editors to help compile the ultimate list of geeky reads. And this week, we're showcasing the best sci-fi narratives, with all the traditional elements of the genre: artificial intelligence, travel to remote parts of the universe, futuristic gadgets, wormholes, apocalyptic political systems, and extraterrestrials.
This list of essential geek reads isn't complete — there are plenty of time-travel, tech, and graphic novel editions still to come. But in the meanwhile, take a look at our recommendations for science fiction stories every geek must know, and tell us which books you'd add to the list.
Very tired and climbing into bed so a little groggy but the first thing that came to mind was The Illustrated Man or most anything Bradbury.
Then for some reason all I could think of was Walter The Farting Dog.
Boortz used to talk about it a lot....
I understand they had to change the name because someone else had the rights to the title (I think it was “A Princess of Mars” starring porn star Traci Lords). Then the director butchered it. After waiting 55 years for John Carter to get to the big screen, I’ve seldom been so bitterly disappointed.
“I wish I’d been the genius who figured out how to make people click thru 20 pages of crap that they ignore anyway just to get to a damn list.”
Did they actually show a list? I saw only book covers. I agree with you!
The modern party, I have no use for.
And I have no use for anyone that can't tell the difference.
/johnny
I thought the 1960s version of 20,000 Leagues by Disney was pretty decent.
I have seen a couple more since then and none were as good. Kirk Douglas was good too.
Childhoods End, Arthur Clarke
Philosopher’s Stone, Colin Wilson
Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury
Really, almost anything by Bradbury and Clarke
“Venus On a Half Shell” by Kilgore Trout.
as much as liberals and atheists seem to be into sci fi, none of them read the Bible,mthe biggest science fiction fantasy according to them...
Lucifer’s Hammer
Read eight of them......long time ago. I am from the old school as my suggestions show.
Of these three, I believe The Compleate Enchanter is (arguably) one of the best fantasy novels ever written; suitable for reading many times. Although, technically it is a compilation of novellas of Harold Shea’s adventures. Read de Camp’s account of Pratt and his association with Pratt. Pratt’s life was a novel in itself. They don’t make them like that any more.
Jack Vance - The Dying Earth
L Sprague De Camp - Lest Darkness Fall
The Compleate Enchanter - Fletcher Pratt & L Sprague De Camp
An honorable mention to Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein. Classic swashbuckling fantasy sci fi. Where the action was real & the sex was hinted at with decorum.
A friend lent me Childhood’s End and I tore through it. At the time, I was working at a railroad and had made a home out of an old railroad caboose... so there I was on a cool late summer night, alone, with the end doors open on the caboose. Right as I was at the thrilling climax of the book, there was a loud bang on the one platform and then 2 of the stray cats that we there on the property came flying through the car chasing each other... scared the living shit outta me.
“Ring world” captured my imagination a ‘few years ago.
Excellent book. Worth reading again.
I believe I was introduced to Larry Niven when I took a physics of science fiction class in college in 72. Turned out to be an interesting and stimulating class.
Read the books or saw the movies already. In some cases both. In a few cases the movies were better than the books.
“The Audacity of Hope” Bill Ayers author...
Oh’ wait...that’s just fiction...
Another one I read and really enjoyed was
The Time Ships (1995), Stephen Baxter
Written as a sequel to the classic “Time Machine”.
Surprisingly good.
Nothing fancy: Just sword-and-soccery and sex-and-drink and rock and roll and hell-fighting before it became popular.
Beat me to it. Well said.
The Demolished Man
The Stars My Destination.
Nothing by Le Guin? Yes, she became PC and annoying, but The Dispossessed and The Left Hand of Darkness are still classics.
Nothing -- not even a collection -- by Harlan Ellison? You cannot possibly be serious.
Not a mention of A.E van Vogt? Forget it. The list is baloney.
That one actually had a scroll thing at the top, the ones I couldn’t read I just clicked.
That list lacks Jack Vance. Every sci-fi fan should read some of that guy’s prose. Planet of Adventure, The Demon Princes, To Live Forever, the Dragon Masters, the Last Castle, whatever.
Freegards
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.