ICYMI, here's Adam and Will discussing another favorite book of Adam's: Seveneves: www.tested.com/science/space/536338-seveneves-spoilercast-8112015/

Also, it’s a great sign of a true sci-fi fan when their top 5 list has way more than 5 books on it.

_Neuromancer_ has one of the best opening lines in SF Literature: "The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."

I found reading all the comments very enjoyable!!! I began reading SF when I was 15 and am now 75. I must have read many many many sci-fi stories. The comments brought back remembrances of having read so many stories. It was also nice to know I was not the only Sci-Fi nerd.

I read The Left Hand of Darkness when I was 16, and I still remember the lessons it taught me as a reader. That was 15 years ago, and it may be one of the more influential books I read in my teens. Also, I really love the Heinlein series. The way all of his books interact is always interesting and mind bending.

Rendezvous With Rama, The Invincible, The Foundation Trilogy, Dune, The Martian Chronicles

“Tell me of the waters of your homeworld, Muad’dib.”

So glad you mentioned The 3 Body Problem trilogy. I thought it was an incredible trilogy and a very interesting cultural vantage point. Lots of original ideas...atleast new to me.

I love, love, love that you included Left Hand of Darkness. Such an amazing book at any time but especially when it was written. Ursula for all the recognition she got is truly underated in my opinion.

'The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy' I first read the four part trilogy 35 years ago after having watched the British TV series. In all those years I don't think a week has gone by that some element within those books hasn't been analogous and relative to the reality of life, the universe and everything.

The Hyperion Cantos. Shuch masterpieces. Those have changed my views of Science Fiction and left deep memories!

Ursula LeGuin's parents were Anthropologists. They met someone who was essentially an alien. He was a California Indian who was the last of his tribe. Her Mother, Theodora Kroeber wrote a YA and an adult book about him. They are Ishi, Last of his Tribe and Ishi in Two Worlds. The writing is luminous and immersive. Ursula's Mother was a marvelous writer who is not well enough known.

The Three-Body Problem trilogy changed my life. Eastern Sci-fi is so different and has so many new ideas!

"The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman altered my mind.

3 classics not mentioned: Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clark), The Foundation Series (Isaac Asimov), and Ringworld (Larry Niven).

Two books that were an absolute thrill to read (and had me re-reading parts just because they were so darn interesting): * Hyperion by Dan Simmons * A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

Vonnegut wrote Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, and a short story collection Welcome to the Monkey House. Asimov wrote a great novella Nightfall.

1 Dune (series) by Frank Herbert. 2 The mote in God's eye (and following books) by Larry Niven and Jerrycan Pournelle 3 Foundation series and Robots series by Isaac Asimov 4 Rendez-vous with Rama (Rama series) by Arthur C. Clarke 5 books from Jack Vance 6 giant's star series by James Patrick Hogan

"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" - Robert Heinlein

Mine has to be “The Chrysalids” by John Wyndham, followed closely by “A Canticle For Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller. Amazing books!

Children of Time (Adrian Tchaikovsky) is an astounding novel - gets you thinking about what it means to exist. Three Body Problem series - tough but well worth the effort. Superb. Loved the Asimov Robot short stories and the Susan Calvin stuff. Does I am Legend count? Herbert's world building in Dune is the equal of Tolkein's Middle Earth.

How does any top 5 list have less then 20 books in it?

So, just a insider point on 1Q84: the title is a pun. In Japanese, the number 9 in commonly pronounced kue (kyu in proper romaji). So, the pun is 1984, just in Japanese. Ichi, kyu, hachi, shi.

I love books from Arthur C. Clarke, as they offer a great blend of real and fictional pieces, and have that optimistic tone I love about that era of sci-fi. I also like Cosmos by Carl Sagan, Weir's Martian, some stuff by the Pournelle/Niven duo or Mission of Gravity by Hal Clement.

Just about every Robert Heinlein book from the short (Glory Road, Citizen of the Galaxy, etc) to the big hitters (To Sail Beyond the Sunset, Strange Land, Job) is what got me hooked on Sci-Fi as a small boy. And that start lead me to one of all-time favorites, Peace and War by Joe Haldeman along with Iain M Banks's Culture series. But Adam's initial comment is perfect: "This is a really really tough one - Simply because there are so many to choose from."

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein | the Foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov | Ringworld by David Niven | The Ship Who Sang series by Anne McCaffrey | Hammer's Slammers series by David Drake | Lensman series by E.E. "Doc" Smith | the Chanur series by C.J. Cherryh | the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold | the Journal Entries series by Elf Sternberg | Neuromancer by William Gibson Limiting to a Top 5 is hard! Top 10 will have to do.

An under looked gem is Forever War by Joe Haldeman. If you liked Starship Troopers.

Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks. The ships names are insight into Bank's wit. Eg. "Falling outside normal moral restraints" or something like that. The ship's avatars are an extension of this wit and storytelling. Absolutely remarkable writing.

The Forever War is one of my favorites. Also The Warlock In Spite of Himself - a funny blend of SF and Fantasy.

Heinlein's "the moon is a harsh mistress"!

Isaac asimov's foundation...and all the robots stories from mr. Asimov

Im currently reading "The Tenth Planet" by Edmund Cooper. It is incredibly deep, in my opinion. The way that the main character, Idris Hamilton, deals with extraordinarily incomprehensible traumas is a whole philosophical conundrum and just such an enjoyable read. I absolutely recommend it. There were moments that were uncomfortable, but merely because of how raw they were.

In my opinion, Hyperion by Dan Simmons is the best novel ever! The Character and plot development is damn near perfect and it's very well paced. The shrike is my favorite character. A very riveting novel. I definitely recommend it.

The Lazarus Long novels by Robert Heinlein starting with Methuselah's Children The Rama trilogy by Arthur C. Clarke The Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov The Robot novels by Isaac Asimov The Lensman series by E.E. Smith The John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs West of Eden series by Harry Harrison

Definitely Dune, Snowcrash, Left Hand of Darkness, Neuromancer. Would add: New Sun series by Gene Wolfe; Eon series by Greg Bear; Brin's Uplift series.

Fred Pohl’s Heechee saga is also one of the best sci fi series ever.

One of my favorites is Lord of Light by Rogers Zelazny. I know his Amber series gets a lot of readers and he has a lot of other good stuff, but I consider Lord of Light to be his masterwork.

Old Man's War series by John Scalzi is up near the top of my list. I love the humor and the science that is put into those books.

1. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke 2. Dune (and sequels till Chapterhouse: Dune) Frank Herbert --> stay away from the crap by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson 3. Farmer in the Sky, Robert A. Heinlein 4. The Chronicles of Corum (1-3) Michael Moorcock

I loved Dune and Left Hand of Darkness, which I read in high school over 45 years ago; Dune had the most lasting imagery for me, and I was so excited by the new movie because it matches my mind's images! The Foundation trilogy also was an important read in my high school years, as was The Crystal Cave. And then there was the Lord of the Rings trilogy; I don't think my friends or parents saw me for two full weeks while I was engrossed by them. So there's my Top 5. :) Great question, Cody, and I agree with Adam that you have a great name for a character, either in a fictional or real world setting!

John Varley - Titan, Wizard, Demon Hands down one of the best trilogies ever

Haven't read any of these, probably because I'm older. I have way too many favorites, but 5 of them would be: Stranger in a Strange Land - Heinlien On Basilik Station - Weber The Mote in God's Eye - Niven / Pournelle Little Fuzzy - Piper The Illustrated Man - Bradbury

Really enjoying the The Expanse books as well.

I’m currently reading SeveNeves and it’s absolutely fascinating. The encyclopedic approach to the story is something I can’t wait to explore in other Stephenson novels!

I recommend the “Murderbot Diaries” by Martha Wells.

The premise in David Brin's Uplift trilogy was really compelling to me. It begins with Sundiver, but lots of people start with Startide Rising.

5 is difficult. If I could choose my favorite in a series I listed that. Otherwise I listed entire series. 1. Dune 2. Player of Games 3. Signal to Noise/Signal Shattered 4. Foundation 5. Enders Game

*Thank you* for mentioning Snow Crash! One of my favorites and I feel like not nearly enough people have read it or Stephenson in general.

Neal Stephenson is interesting for me. I generally like more plot in my books, or at least more active plots, but I have liked every book I've read. They are slow burns, and almost more about world building than characters and plot, but they just work for me. I don't go out of my way to read his books, but when I come across them, I usually give them a read.

Roger Zelazny's _Lord of Light_ ... reads like fantasy but at heart it's science fiction ...

Foundation series. It's an epic among epics, and there are sections that will likely make you want to stop, but it's another work that I think seriously stretched the envelope of science fiction's possibilities.

Such a great list, so happy to see “The Left Hand of Darkness” on the list, it’s an astonishing book and highly recommended.

Thanks Adam. Reading the first Shikasta book on your recommendation and loving it. She had passed me by and i feel that you may just have opened up a whole new world for me! How did i not know about Doris Lessing! Love and appreciation. Keep up the good work. X

Science fiction gained popularity in the pulp magazines of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. I recommend finding anthologies of short stories from the old mags so you can meet the authors who invented the science fiction we know and love.

I would add A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr., winner of the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Also, 'Dorsai!' and 'The Spirit of Dorsai, two of several novels' in the Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickinson. I have made a to-read list of 6 of your 7 picks, since I have read Dune and sequels, but can't remember which Le Guin novels I have read.

SO GLAD you mentioned Seveneves! Stephenson's first foray into straight up sci-fi. Love all his stuff, but definitely my favorite of his. Hoping there might be another book, concerning 'the agent'

"Snow Crash" blew my mind as a first "cyberpunk" read. And "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick. Perhaps a list of your favorite fantasy books, if you're into them. Cheers!

Kurt Vonnegut Cat's Cradle, The Sirens of Titan, Slaughterhouse 5. Russell Hoban Riddley Walker

Protector, 1973, written by Larry Niven. One of my earliest, and favorite Sci Fi books.

I am in the third book of The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. (The Three Body Problem; The Dark Forest; Death’s End) Fascinating! A lot of twists and turns as Earth creates, prepares for, avoids, then restarts an alien invasion. You will never look at ET the same again...

I've been getting into science fiction and excited to see the ones I've read getting recommended here and in the comments. Remembrance of Earth's Past or the Three-Body Problem trilogy (favorite), Dune, Neuromancer, and Red Mars. Started Hyperion and have Foundation in my queue as well as the remaining Dune, Mars, and Neuromancer books. Curious about the others he lists as I hadn't even heard about them. So many good sci-fi books, so little time!

Lots of early SciFi books listed here, but there are a number of really good ones published this century as well. Here are a few of my favs with newer ones first: 1. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Trilogy by Taylor. (Human consciousness downloaded into space probes, which can replicate to map nearby star systems) 2. Flowers for Algernon by Keyes. (While not space-related SciFi, this is one of the most well-written, endearing, and emotionally-charged novels of recent memory) 3. The Martian by Wier. (One of the most engaging and well-written books in recent memory. Part journal, part stream-of-consciousness, about as rooted in realism as modern SF comes) 4. Beacon 23 by Howey. (Safe lanes of FTL travel are set up between beacons in space, but these tiny "lighthouses" often break and require maintenance. One man's story of his solo 2-year posting) 5. Tunnel in the Sky by Heinlein. (Coming-of-age book about a group of teens who are sent through a wormhole to an alien world for survival training, only to become stranded. Great for teens+). 6. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein. (Moon colony revolts against Earth's overbearance. Led by an AI, the technologically inferior lunar inhabitants struggle for rights) 7. The Foundation Trilogy by Asimov. (While the premise of being able to predict events centuries into the future via science may be a difficult one to overlook, this series is quintessential in its scope and effects on the genre) 8. From the Earth to the Moon by Verne. (Any book written in the 1860s that so accurately predicts the first moon mission 100 years later, and which gets a "thank you" from Neil Armstrong mid-mission for setting such an accurate blueprint for the first moon mission, is a must read)

A book I've read twice and listened in audio format is The World at the End of Time by Frederik Pohl (1990) and just recently finished Tau Zero by Poul Anderson (1970), both with a coincidentally similar theme of time advancement and death of the universe.

Thanks to all respondents Adam, and cool question and name guy....my list just grew again. So many awesome authors; thank you all the most.

The Color of Distance - Amy Thomson Dragon's Egg - Robert L. Forward Flood - Stephen Baxter The Sheep Look Up - John Brunner

The Culture series by Ian Banks, some of the best writing I've read in any genre. I've only read the first five but they've all been amazing and Use of Weapons has become one of my favorite books of all time.

Here's my pick of books that have impacted me over the years: Heinlein's 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' Kim Stanley Robinson's 'Red Mars/Blue Mars/Green Mars' trilogy SM Stirling's Emberverse series that starts with 'Dies the Fire' (15 books -The last books aren't as good as the first five books) A. American's Survivalist Series that starts with 'Going Home' (12 books so far) Olan Thorensen's Destiny's Crucible Series that starts with 'Cast Under an Alien Sun' (8 books, so far) Harry Turtledove's 'Guns of the South' Anne McCaffry's 'Dragonriders of Pern' Series (3 books) 'Dragonsong' (3 books) Melanie Rawn's 'Dragon Prince' & 'Dragon Star' Series (6 books) Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's 'Lucifer's Hammer' Larry Niven's 'Ringworld' Roger Zelazny 'Chronicles of Amber' (10 books) Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga, series that starts with 'The Crystal Cave' (4 books) *Enjoy !

Dune is absolutely amazing, I've read the trilogy more often than can remember, and Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favorite LeGuin books (of which there are several favorites) and have also read several times. Will have to check out the few of these I have not read

Adam, Left Hand of Darkness is but a part of a larger whole, the Hainish Cycle, and from, admittedly limited experience I had with it, I can honestly recommend it. Ursula K. Le Guin was a terrific writer and her works are definitely worth everyones attention, especially since she somehow manages to write novels that are short and concise, yet somehow so amazingly full of details. Rocannon's World for example, which is the first book of the cycle and also Le Guin's debut novel, tells the story of a man who is send on a scouting mission to a planet inhabited by different medieval cultures of people who evolved into what we would most likely consider elves and dwarves. Also her famous fantasy cycle, The Earthsea comes greatly recommended. Another book I could recommend is The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge along with its continuations. Often overlooked truly epic stories that include concepts of environmental and sociological s-f.

For fans of Dune, or space opera in general, check out A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge. Truly amazing writing. Best space opera ever.

Roadside Picnic is brilliant: "Happiness, free, for everyone! And may no one be left behind!"

The Forever War, The Stars My Destination,, two great classics that got me into sci-fi in a serious way.

Larry Niven, I like a lot of him for example Ringworld. For that matter, I like all of the stories playing in that setting "Known Space" (IIRC). But also works like "The Mote in God's eye", with Jerry Pournelle.

My collection contains about 3000 titles. My first book was Eric Frank Russell's The Junk Yard Planet.I have these series in toto, David Brin's Uplift series,both Herbert's Dune series,David Weber's Honor Harrington series, John Ringo's Gust Front series. All of Robert Heinlein's novels, all of A.E. Von Vogt I can find. Leguin ,and Tiptree the more impressive of the women's writers. Unfortunately 10 years ago I became disabled ,this curtailed my buying of new titles. So I haven't kept up.

A Canticle of Leibowitz by Walter Miller, Gather Darkness by Fritz Lieber, Star Man's Son by Andre Norton, the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, Foundation by Asimov.

Hey Adam! This video was suggested to me on my home page, and I'm excited to read some of your recs. But seeing as how this video came out over three years ago, I have to ask: are these still your favs or have any newcomers dethroned the bests of 2019?

If you haven't read Octavia Butler's series Lillith's Brood (Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago) then do so. Very clever!

Isaac Asimov, Robot / Foundation series are one of the best books Ive read

I am currently reading the third book from Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy (The Three Body Problem is book 1) by Cixin Liu. It is phenomenal. I am a very slow reader but I think I am absorbing the book better than if I whizzed through it. I am a little disappointed that I am nearly done with it. Read it slowly and enjoy it.

I was extremely impressed with Vernor Vinge's "A Deepness in the Sky" and "Fire upon the Deep". I also really enjoyed Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy "Red Mars", "Blue Mars" and "Green Mars".

I guessed a couple ahead of time :). My faves: Dune, Downbelow Station, Neuromancer, the Dorsai series, and A Canticle for Leibowitz.

My personal list 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey Saga 2. Dune 3. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep 4. Ringworld 5. 1984 Honorable Mentions (the eight in my top 5) 6. War of the Worlds 7. A Clockwork Orange 8. Fariegnhiet 451 Trust me I know this isnt the most original, but sometimes classics are classic for a reason.

Great list! What are your thoughts on OSC's ender universe? Currently reading those piecemeal.

I clicked on this list saying to myself "If Dune is not on his list I will be hurt in my soul...."

I love seeing Snow Crash get the love it deserves!

Snow Crash completely blew my mind when I read it as a teenager. Neal Stephenson's ideas about the Metaverse were groundbreaking for the time. This book came out in 1992, before we had anything like virtual reality. His exploration of the man / machine interface and that consequences of that were also truly amazing. I'm also a huge fan of The Diamond Age by him, which I feel is one of the best depictions of a post-scarcity nanotechnology-driven society.

I appreciate that you included Ursula Leguin's "The Left Hand of Darkness" and - even moreso - Doris Lessings "Shikasta" series, because I see it acknowledged so rarely for the absolute top-shelf sci-fi that it is. Of the series, my favorite in the 3rd volume, "The Sirian Experiments", by the way. But to add something to your list, let me suggest "Tau Zero", the amazing hard science novel by Poul Anderson that poses the question, "What might happen if a space craft travelling at hyper speed couldn't slow down?" Equally brilliant is Anderson's "Brainwave" in which the question posed is, "Suppose every creature on earth experienced an instantaneous multiplying of its intelligence? Poul Anderson's work is among the very best at living up to the promise of speculative fiction: to explore all the possibilities and potentialities of Life and the Universe.

Larry Niven's Ringworld series, Known Space and Gil Hamilton books are my favorites.

David Brin's Uplift series has been a long favourite of mine

I love Seveneves So many to mention, here are two I don't see mentioned in the comments 1. Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge 2. Eifelheim by Michael F. Flynn

Frakkin YES! To hear such a man as Adam recommend Doris Lessing!!! More people need to read her series. Mostly known as a poet and essayist her imagination let rip on such a grand scale is astonishingly refreshing.

Totally agree with Neuromancer and Murakami's 1Q84. I've read Neuromancer for the first time in the 90s and have re-read the whole trilogy multiple times since. I have read 1Q84 for the first time in January 2021 and I expect it to be my favourite book of 2021 by the end of the year.

Lois McMaster Bujold - Vorkosigan series start with "The Warriors Apprentice" of the 4 to 5000 science fiction books I've read over the last 50 years these are a joy to read.

Dune Series, Ringworld Series, The More than Complete Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, H.G. Wells Time Machine, John Christophers The Tripods Series

Asked for 5 books - got half a library of answers. Love it :D

1) three body problem 2) Dune 3) Left hand of darkness

Neuromancer and The Forever War are two of my all-time favorite Sci-fi books.

I would add Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, almost anything by Arthur C. Clarke, and I'm very much a fan of Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars" trilogy. Thanks for your reviews, Adam! Love your work.

Try the Bobiverse books by Dennis E Taylor and "Code of the Lifemaker" by James P Hogan

Hey Adam, if you like HUGE ideas in sci-fi, try Steven Baxter's Xeelee Sequence. He's not as lyrical as the writers you've named, but his work is more about the scale of scientific concepts, and truly grand theories.