Must Read: The Twenty Science Fiction Novels that Will Change Your Life

I've only read 3...I guess I've got some reading to do.

I would add Hyperian and Childhood's End. The Two Ursala LeGuin and The Sparraw are excellent books. I have Snow Crash on my work computer and home computer so that I can read it any time :)

I would add these:

two by Stanislaw Lew, The Futurological Congress, and His Master's Voice,

also, The Peace War by Vernor Vinge,

and Star Maker and Last and First Men (1937?) by W. Olaf Stapledon.

Thanks for this seed Marilyn,

I have been trying to add a little fiction to my reading diet as of late. Friends are worried that I read way too much non-fiction and have lovingly suggested that I grab some good fiction, get comfortable, and enjoy some reading strictly for the entertainment of my cerebral faculties. I just picked up a book called Blasphemy, by Douglass Preston, after reading some good reviews. Anybody read that one? I'll start it soon, too much reality can drive one mad...

I've only read a few of those, but then again I wouldn't really list Cryptonomicon or Pattern Recognition as sci-fi books. They're great books, don't get me wrong, but they're definitely NOT sci-fi by any stretch.

However, most of the books on that list have now been added to my list of things to read.

Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, Citizen of the Galaxy, Methusaleh's Children

Clifford Simak's Time is the Simplest Thing, Way Station

Zenna Henderson's "the people" books

James Hogan's "giants" series

A. Bertram Chandler's "Commodore Grimes" series

Poul Anderson's "Nicholas van Rijn" and "Dominic Flandry" series

James Blish's Cities in Flight

A. E. Van Vogt's Null-A series

So, Sooooo many more I can't even begin to remember them here

The list referenced in the article is overloaded on the very current books

I loved The Sparrow. Haunting. I agree that Stranger in a Strange Land should be on there. And how about Enders Game? I'd also like to offer Replay by Ken Grimwood. it's not hard sci-fi, but I believe it's in the broader genre of sci-fi.

I disagree about Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom being on the list. I understand that the publishing on the 'net changed our lives (okaaaay), but the book was so-so. Very interesting idea; adequately written.

I've only read two of that list, but certainly it's not a good one. They should have the Foundation Trilogy by Asminov, and of course the Dune trilogy, though I've seen more than three for that series now. Their leaving out Dune makes the list very suspect. One of my old favorites that probably got me into science fiction in elementary school was the series by John Cristopher, The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, and The Pool of Fire. I do like seeing The Dispossessed listed, so at least they have some taste, but Le Guin has other classics, including her short stories, and again, leaving Dune out's really bad.

I've read 7/20 of those. The criteria though was supposed to be life changing not just good books which is a twist unless the title is just hyperbole. I would submit the Otherland series by Tad Williams because his view of a future virtual world is compelling. I would also add The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein for it's political take that could potentially change your life.

On the list Pattern Recognition was a good book but I do not see how it could be life changing nor is it Scifi as already commented on above.

Cryptonomicon (2000), by Neal Stephenson
This dense, multi-layered story jumps around in time, space, and consciousness, exploring the interconnected forces of money and science that brought humans to the twenty-first century. Warning: reading this book will rearrange your brain permanently.

I could not even finish reading it, I listened to it. I would lay in bed, just boggled. If you can't make it through this, start with his Snowcrash. DEFINITELY in my top ten best scifi.

As for Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom. Very thought provoking! And, even better, downloadable! Ah, damn, it looks like he has an interesting blog. It's getting to the point I have to delete about half the stuff in my reader without reading everyday. :(

I used to think Cory Doctorow ('Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom') was full of baloney when he espoused the giving away of eBooks on the internet. That was a couple of years ago.

Since then, I've come to a different way of thinking. Out of courtesy, I won't post up the links, but at AB we have two permanently free eBooks. No forms, no junk. Both are illustrated, and we inserted the front and back covers on the first and last pages of the PDF. Teachers download them all the time, judging from the messages we receive occasionally.

'Say Goodbye To The Sun' (sci fi)
'Robinson Crusoe - Special Redux Edition'

It actually feels good when you do this, BTW...

I've only read 5 of these.

As a list of novels that will change your life, I have my doubts. Those that I've read were excellent, but life-changing? Come on.

As a list of reading suggestions, it's been successful in stoking my interest in the other 15.