My 10 Favorite Sci-Fi Books

Several of my published novels, and many of my unpublished drafts, fit into the category of Science Fiction (Sci-Fi.) My fascination with time travel, futuristic technologies, supernatural phenomena, and the interaction these things have with humans is deep and varied.

Here’s my list, in no particular order, of top ten Sci-fi books to date. Some of these titles have transformed my thinking, others have prompted inspiration, and still others are just bizarre enough to put me in total awe of the author.

1. Dune, Frank Herbert
After having read countless novels in this category, I am certain that Dune is truly the best piece of Sci-fi ever written. I have a hard time imagining how any author could top this complex and multi-layered fiction. It has been a muse for my writing and creativity while forcing me to consider valuable reflections on faith, the environment, politics, and technology.

2. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving
My first experience reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow can be described in no other terms than magical. This piece of creative fiction fits into several genres, but its paranormal activity is what makes me classify it as Sci-fi. This classic short novel is brilliant and, for its time, quite unique.

3. 2001, a Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clarke
For me, this classic Sci-fi novel was a game changer in my views of space exploration. The thrilling opening sequence sets the pace for adventure and inspiration from the start. If you’ve seen the movie, forget it, and read the book as soon as you can.

4. The Harry Potter Series, JK Rowling
This modern children’s book series is sure to be a classic in future generations. The Harry Potter books are entertaining, easy to read, and provide us with images of worlds unknown. Of course, JK Rowling’s difficult start into author stardom is also a bit of inspiring detail behind the series. The story of her amazing dedication to writing despite difficult obstacles is worth a book writing itself.

5. Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
Jurassic Park is a thrilling tale woven with suspenseful action and adventure. Written at the dawn of DNA discovery in the 20th century, this book opened the world of genetic science to pop-culture and Sci-fi audiences, myself included, in a way that was enlightening and provoking.

6. The Time Machine, HG Wells
This classic piece of early science fiction literature is what gave HG Wells his nickname as the father of Sci-fi. Although short, The Time Machine has had profound impact on time travel theories in both pop-culture and academic settings. You may see some similarities in some of my own works.

7. Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkein
No list of top books could be complete without JRR Tolkein’s celebrated Lord of the Rings novels. Although not technically sci-Fi, these thoughtful creations share about deep underworlds full of a variety of creatures cohabitating in a world not unlike our own. This books series is definitely a set that can be revisited every few years with the same level of enthusiasm and suspense as in the first read.

8. Divergent, Veronica Roth
This first novel in a series of books is, in my opinion, the best of all Veronica Roth’s works. Her dystopian modern world is ruthless in its search for the best characteristics of mankind. With a twist of romance, coming-of-age, and introverted secrecy, Divergent is a powerful read with a human-interest-meets-sci-fi feeling.

9. Nightfall, Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverburg
Nightfall comes for the first time in recorded history when each of six suns begins to set on a planet called Kalgash. Chaos, destructions, and anarchy follow as no one knows what to do in the dark. The alien civilization on Kalgash represent many of our own fears and prospects through this imaginative Sci-fi tale of social psychology.

10. Journey to the Center of the Earth, Jules Verne
This action adventure novel perfectly combines treasure hunting with science fiction. The magical world that Jules Verne ignites is a great example of originality. I also enjoy the robust dialogue amongst the characters, giving depth and excitement to the story plot. This novel really calls to the inner sense of exploration that seems to define humanity throughout the ages.

Have any of these favorite Sci-fi books influenced you? Share your experiences in the comments and be sure to check out www.leifericksonwriting.com to buy my latest novels to find a new classic that will inspire you!