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The Sci-Fi Book Classics You Need to Read Before You Die
Popsugar ^ | 09/06/2014 | NICOLE NGUYEN

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.


TOPICS: Books/Literature
KEYWORDS: books; fiction; literature; sciencefiction; scifi
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To: Fzob
 photo 200px-The_Iron_Dream_1st_edition_zpsb1d0e15a.jpg

 photo 1226425_zps3d803fac.jpg

81 posted on 09/12/2014 6:22:49 PM PDT by henkster (Do I really need a sarcasm tag?)
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To: PJ-Comix
“Venus On a Half Shell” by Kilgore Trout.

Dang, beat me to it.

82 posted on 09/12/2014 6:22:51 PM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: Ransomed

Interesting. Thanks!


83 posted on 09/12/2014 6:24:29 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s ((If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: JRandomFreeper

what my all time favorite “not for everyone”


84 posted on 09/12/2014 6:24:53 PM PDT by scottteng (Suntrust Bank is the worlds worst stay away!)
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To: Fzob
I've read and have in my library AND on my Kindle All but 2 on the list and that will soon be taken car of.

I just got "Ready Play One" purchased and I am looking for "Flatland" now.

85 posted on 09/12/2014 6:25:15 PM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: dr_lew
the depiction of their language, which consists of simple gibberish, such as "Uga bugga bugga" in repetition

I dunno, could be considered the forerunner of modern Chicago Ebonics and rap.

86 posted on 09/12/2014 6:26:54 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s ((If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: Ransomed

Vance’s Green Majic

Liane the Wayfarer

One of the great writers


87 posted on 09/12/2014 6:27:08 PM PDT by Harold Shea
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To: null and void

Did you see this yet?


88 posted on 09/12/2014 6:28:27 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (Nothing says you are sad that someone died like looting local places of business!)
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To: Fzob

Dang it, I got to add one more author.

John Brunner

The Shockwave Rider
and
The Sheep Look Up


89 posted on 09/12/2014 6:29:57 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s ((If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: Yardstick
There are those here on FR that make a big show of not being able to tell the difference.

/johnny

90 posted on 09/12/2014 6:30:46 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: scottteng
Mrs Grundy HATES that book.

/johnny

91 posted on 09/12/2014 6:31:44 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: Mad Dawgg

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/97


92 posted on 09/12/2014 6:32:14 PM PDT by Sherman Logan (Perception wins most of the battles. Reality wins ALL the wars.)
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To: henkster
Dan Simmons,The Hyperion Cantos. I can say that after a lifetime of reading sci-fi that this series of books will really blow you away. Really can't speak highly enough of it.
He also has some other work that is top of the line also. Try his book called, The Terror. Fantastic.
93 posted on 09/12/2014 6:34:47 PM PDT by Vote 4 Nixon (EAT...FISH...SLEEP...REDUX)
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To: Sherman Logan

Amazon has a dozen or so editions including one for free. I just downloaded it.


94 posted on 09/12/2014 6:35:49 PM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: Bryanw92

Yeah, where did that ever come from, anyway? I think it was a 70’s or 80’s thing, and you were supposed to say SF, which does still have currency, I think.

It’s funny though, that these people with their minds expanded to such cosmic proportions should be so touchy on such a trivial point of semantics.

I think it was the Sci-Fi ( now SyFy ) channel which extinguished this movement by sheer inundation.


95 posted on 09/12/2014 6:36:27 PM PDT by dr_lew
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To: Stentor

I’ve read some of his stuff. Ever read “project pope”? I think Doctor who writers have made reference to it in their concept of “The Church Of The Papal Mainframe”.

CC


96 posted on 09/12/2014 6:36:31 PM PDT by Celtic Conservative (tease not the dragon for thou art crunchy when roasted and taste good with ketchup)
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To: Fzob

The Weapons Shops of Usher by AE Van Vogt, the Twisting in Time trilogy, the Mote in Gods Eye, the Ringworld series, Lucifers Hammer, the Amber trilogy of trilogies, the Enders Game series, the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, the Berserker series, Starship Troopers, the Foundation trilogy and most of Ray Bradbury’s stuff, fir a small start!

Ed


97 posted on 09/12/2014 6:37:17 PM PDT by Sir_Ed
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To: Harold Shea

Oh yeah, him and Gene Wolfe are probably the top two for me.

BTW, dig your Freeper handle, mine’s from the CS Lewis space Trilogy. FR actually has a Dominic Flandry and a Phssthpok too.

FReegards


98 posted on 09/12/2014 6:39:42 PM PDT by Ransomed
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To: FredZarguna

I LOVED the Demolished Man, read it for the nth time last year.

I also liked The Unpleasant Profession of Mr Hoag...

There was also a series with two protagonists, a black woman and a white PI, who worked for time travelers and they ran the Mafia, firgot what it was called, but it was good.

Ed


99 posted on 09/12/2014 6:42:18 PM PDT by Sir_Ed
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To: Fzob

The Worm Ouroborus
The Gormenghast Trilogy


100 posted on 09/12/2014 6:42:58 PM PDT by HandyDandy (Started out with Burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff....)
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