The 15 Best Sci-Fi Books I've Ever Read [Updated]

This is a list of my 15 favorite science fiction books, as of September 2022. My selection criteria were a mishmash of all the variables you might imagine. There is no strict litmus or set of standards I applied. Timestamps are below for those who'd like the quick version.

If you would like to see in-depth reviews of single books, where I am able to share my thoughts in greater detail and care less about YouTube content restrictions, please visit my Patreon. $5 gets you everything.

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00:00 Dune by Frank Herbert
01:19 The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
02:48 The Stars My Destination / Tiger! Tiger! by Alfred Bester
04:24 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
05:45 The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
08:58 The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin
12:09 Norstrilia by Cordwainer Smith
15:09 City by Clifford D. Simak
17:02 Hothouse by Brian Aldiss
18:57 Neuromancer by William Gibson
20:16 Blood Music by Greg Bear
22:23 The Dying Earth by Jack Vance
24:49 Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
27:29 A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
31:15 Blindsight by Peter Watts

Thanks for watching. This took a ton of work, hope you enjoy it.

This is an update to a similar Top 15 video I made a little over a year ago:

Discord:

[Bookpilled]

I upload longform review videos for every book I read on my Patreon. It's $5 and there's hours of video content on it. I try my best to overdeliver for your money. Thanks for considering.

[submetropolis]

You spoil us with no cheesy intro, 3 min setup about what you're going to talk about... You just get to it and that's why I love your videos.

[arsh.langeh]

i felt shocked when he literally got straight on the topic without giving a 1 - 2 min intro . hats off man❤

[DSMManiak]

I'd just like to applaud not only your list of books but also your ability to articulate each one without giving total spoilers.

[bryanjiang]

I like the no intro, so freaking cool

[molol]

You are the first book tuber I've ever seen talk about a Mote in God's Eye. I read that when I was a teen and it has been one of my all time favorites.

[louisboylan]

I had never watched a video from you before nor heard of many of these books. Your eloquent expression of the power of these novels has convinced me to give them a try with no further investigation. Quite a feat.

[thehumblewolf]

The dune sequels are truly some of the most profound fiction I have ever read, they make me laugh and cry and have affected how I view life, humanity, religions, family, war, conservation, survival, and much more. The first 6 books written by frank herbert stand alone and span long generations and are such quotable, meaningful experiences.

[laurenlockhart]

I love your description of what it feels like when a book or film gets inside you. Things linger inside me often and I feel they change the quality, tone, and content of my thoughts and feelings.

[HyzersGR]

Childhood's End by Arthur C Clarke is a must read. Hugely influential scifi classic.

[NouMPSy]

I think a big reason why Mote in Gods Eye was so great, was that it doesnt bother with setting up all the complicated concepts in the book. It just brings them up as they are needed and trusts the reader to take them in stride and understand. This means the book never feels like its meandering, which is something i greatly appreciate <3

[ssmytheYT]

I finished "The Stars My Destination". Whoa! What an adventure! This book was crazy fun, especially at the end! The story telling! It totally blew me away. Another excellent suggestion. Thank you! 😃👍

[GuineaPigEveryday]

Real respect that you opened up immediately with Dune, and that you made clear that it just didn’t vibe with you completely. Its a great way to set the tone that this is your personal list and your choices.

[phogue]

I am rediscovering science-fiction after many years. This list has given me plenty more I will have to read. Thank you so much!

[RidleyJones]

I picked up A Fire Upon the Deep because of your enthusiastic recommendation and I'm loving it so far. It's SO imaginative and ambitious yet so unpretentious for what it is.

[LennethValkyrie]

The way I gasped when the list started in the first microsecond. I can't express just how grateful I am, lmao. I'm definitely subscribing.

[RahulSharmaSingularity]

This is how a book review is done ! Concise to the point and no BS ! Awesome Job Mate :)

[krzysztofkurzaj]

Props for putting Solaris on your list. I've read it for the first time not so long ago and I feel exactly the same as yourself - I keep asking myself whenever I was really ready for it and wondering how much more I can get out of it if I read it again. And this book has such qualities which can hardly be described to someone who has not read it.

[ssmytheYT]

I just finished "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. Absolutely incredible! I loved this adventure. So many wonderful characters. Such amazing world building. Definitely a book I will remember for a very long time. I read it in 17 days. Your recommendations have been spot on! Thank you! 😀

[ssmytheYT]

I just finished "Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem. Definitely a thought provoking journey. I can't help but be moved, left in a frustrated suspense, and warm glow by this story. I very much enjoyed the journey. So many questions, but a strange satisfaction at the same time. Thanks for the recommendation! 😀