13 of SciFiChick’s Favorite SciFi Novels

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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.


55 thoughts on “13 of SciFiChick’s Favorite SciFi Novels”

  1. ARRRRRGGGHHHH!!! Once again, I’m left shaking my head and wondering what the heck I read in my teens & early 20s. I read almost nothing but sf/f, and some mysteries, but other than Asimov, Adams, & Tolkein, I never recognize any of the books on favorites lists. I really wish I’d kept a reading journal back then.

    Ah, Bob. I went out and bought the Atlantis series after reading his collaboration saga with Jenny Crusie, but I haven’t read them yet. I’ll put the Area 51 books on my list, too.

    I didn’t read Ender’s Game until last year–year before last? Recently, anyway. I’d resisted it, thinking it must be over-hyped. I loved it. *sigh*

    My 12-year-old just asked me to buy him Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde because he’d started reading it from the library & loved it so much he wanted his own copy. Awwww…

    All the rest, I’m putting on my list.

    Like I need more books to read. Thanks a lot.

  2. Hey! I am doing a list of the bloggers books they cannot live without… would you like to enter your list? I originally suggested top ten, but a Thursday Thirteen works as well.

    Timothy Zahn is one of my favourite science fiction authors. I also really like the book that you mention by him.

  3. I’ve read almost all of those! Good to see some classics like H.G. Wells. I agree the list could be all Star Trek; mine would be too. I hope you don’t stop doing TT, I always like your lists! But if you do, I’ll visit anyway! 🙂
    My TT lists the cars we’ve owned before our current one.

  5. Darla – LOL.. Well, this list is just going from memory. I didn’t have time to look through my bookshelves at home to remind myself of other books I may have forgotten about. Guess if I can’t remember, it’s probably not a top favorite!

    Kailana – Sure.. You can just use the top 10 of my list, if you’d like.

    Tink – Thanks! And you’ve owned over 13 cars?! I’m going to have to check that out..

  6. I have a signed copy of one of the Area 51 books that I got from a romance conference booksigning Bob was at, but I’ve not read them. I didn’t realize it was a series when I bought it and I don’t read out of order 😉

    Love Dune, A Wrinkle in Time and oh yes, Hitchhikers Guide. I remember when computers were first text-only games and I had the text game of HGttG. It was hysterical.

  7. Angie – Go read them! .. If you like scifi at all. I have a signed copy of a mystery book he wrote. When I ordered it from his website, I guess he automatically signs them. Nice.

    I found that text game online a few years ago! Too funny.

  9. Stopped reading the Star Wars novels??? Have you tried the “New Jedi Order” series? It’s excellent! Some hit or miss ones, but overall a great series.

  11. Selena – It’s a short story.. I’m surprised I didn’t read it sooner!

    Craig – Well, I guess I need someone like you to tell me which are worth reading then! I had a few of the New Jedi Order, but did’t read them. I think I got rid of a lot of my Star Wars books in the last rummage sale I had.. :/

  14. I agree with you on Dune. I saw the movie first, was intrigued, read the book and loved it. The others? Not so much.

    I do really need to read some of Bob’s solo books. I have Bodyguard of Lies, but haven’t read it yet. I might enjoy some of his SciFi books.

  17. What a great list! Although I have some holes I need to fill in my own sf reading. I loved Dune and Wrinkle in Time in my teenage years. I need to read them again!!

  18. Hehhe, a great list! I’ve actually only read a couple of these but I’m familiar with most of these stories. Science Fiction rocks! 🙂

  22. Okay, I am seriously gonna have to start looking into reading something outside of romance. Apparently I am lacking! Cool list 🙂

  23. A Wrinkle in Time was the first scifi book I ever read. It was in grade five and I remember staying in every lunch hour for a week to read through it. I loved it. I’ve bought it for my daughters to read, but I’m waiting until they are a bit older to hand it over.

    Metamorphisis by Peter David was the first Star Trek book I ever read. I became very poor after that reading them all. 🙂

  26. I’m with you on Dune… they just got more odd for me and I bought and skimmed them. I think God Emperor was the only one of them that I reread.

    And Hitchhikers… I saw the series first when I was about 12. Then got the books. Love Douglas Adams. *grin*

    Kim

  27. Great list! I see you’re more of a “traditionalist” – there’s only 2 female authors on your list (if I remember correctly). When I was a kid I devoured most of the female authors of the time – Margaret Weiss, Elizabeth Moon, Esther Friesner, Margaret Wonder-Bonnano, Anne McCaffery, etc… And I still read them (when I find time) today. I love the “classics” too, but I guess I’m more female-author-centric than I thought. LOL. Still, excellent list! I’ll have to go find my old copies of some of those!!!

  28. Bianca – I have tried reading more female authors, but they’re just so badly outnumbered in the scifi genre! And these are simply my favorites.. I do love others..

  29. A Wrinkle in Time was my favorite book when I was young. Read that over and over and over.

    I read the Hitchiker’s Guide after losing a friend to a car accident and it helped get me through my grieving.

    Great list of titles!

  36. That must have been a little weird and exciting to stumble over the fact that a new favorite author was one and the same as an old one!

    I have to believe you are the definite expert on SciFi! Great list!

  44. I was sure I wouldn’t have read any of your books but I have – Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! Well, I read A Wrinkle in Time too but that was too long ago 🙂 So fun to see your list.

  45. I’ve read quite a few of those, too — I love good sci fi! And I will always have a place in my heart for A Wrinkle in Time.

    Happy TT, and thanks for visiting my blog!

  46. I stopped reading the ‘Star Wars’ books too. I used to love them… but they just got worse and worse.

    I haven’t read a lot of these, I do like SiFi but I tend to lean towards fantasy. I know that’s a horrible thing to admit here. 😉

  47. Geez, I read “A Wrinkle in Time” almost 30 years ago. My son is 11 and he’s read more of these books than I have. I was surprised when he read “Hitchiker’s” but he really enjoyed it.

  49. I loved Robert Doherty’s spy story (I’m sorry, the title escapes me right now). I’ll have to check out his Area 51 books; I hear they’re good.

    Thanks for the great list! Happy TT!

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