13 of SciFiChick’s Favorite SciFi Novels

Here it is. I never agree with any of the “definitive lists” out there. So this is simply a list of those that are near and dear. And since it’s Thursday Thirteen, I’m listing just that strange number. This may be one of my last 13’s, as I’d rather do Top Tens.

Feel free to post some of your own top picks.
And wow, for once, there aren’t any fantasy books in a list of science fiction novels.

1. Area 51 series, by Robert Doherty – How much do I love this series? It has to be number one. I’m disappointed that Doherty seems to have stopped writing them. They read like you’re watching a movie, plenty of suspense and colorful descriptions.

2. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells – I have a large book of Wells’ greatest stories. This one has to be my favorite, followed closely by The Invisible Man, War of the Worlds, and The Island of Doctor Moreau.

3. Out of the Silent Planet (and the rest of the Space Trilogy), by C.S. Lewis – I love this series almost as much as his Narnia books, which top my list of top fantasy picks.

4. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card – I read his Homecoming Saga back when I was in school. But I have a former coworker to thank for hooking me on the Ender novels. Now, I just love almost everything I read of Card’s.

5. Promised Land, by Connie Willis – I loved Doomsday Book as well, which usually makes the “Top” lists. But I loved the story of Promised Land a little more.

6. Dune, by Frank Herbert – I think I saw a movie version first. And then I read the book. I loved it, and started reading and buying up the sequels. But none of the sequels quite compare to the first wonderful novel.

7. Star Trek: The Next Generation – A Rock and a Hard Place, by Peter David – This one is for more sentimental reasons, as it’s the first Star Trek book I read. I could easily put Star Trek books in all top 13 spots. But I’ll refrain, and just use this one as the token Star Trek book.

8. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson – This is another one of those where I knew of the story, but wanted to read the original. I’m glad I did. While the personality of Hyde has been duplicated, none of the movies that have used the Hyde character have correctly shown his physical likeness. Hollywood likes to over-dramatize, and I guess actual smaller version of the feral man didn’t seem as scary. This could fall into fantasy, but that it’s a scientific potion rather than magical, makes me categorize it as science fiction.

9. Fantastic Voyage: Microcosm , by Kevin J. Anderson – I love everything I’ve read of his. But this one is a wonderful, fast-paced story a lot like the classic 80’s movie InnerSpace.

10. Atlantis, by Greg Donegan – When I started reading this series, I thought to myself that the style of writing seemed awfully familiar. In fact, it read a lot like the Area 51 series. I looked it up, and found that two of my favorite authors were one and the same: Bob Mayer!

11. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle – I read this series as a child, and still remember them fondly.

12. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams – I was a late-comer to this series as well. But I’m thankful to my cousin who gave me his set (which I have yet to return, years later!) to read.

13. Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn – He’s an amazing writer. None of the later SW books that have come out have quite held my attention as the Thrawn Trilogy. So, I eventually stopped reading the Star Wars books.