Favorite Science Fiction Books

Historians love the past, they dwell in it, find their peace and many scruples there. Philosophers look to the higher plane of existence to satiate their thirst. It is only Engineers who deal with the future. It was an engineer who figured out the wheel and it is an engineer who will find out the secret of anti-gravity so we can buy jet packs.

So for a true engineer Science Fiction is very important, it fires the imagination, leads to the "Why not?" attitude, and brings us closer to the future every day.

I am listing my favorite science fiction books. Read them if you can, give me your thoughts about them if you already have, or mention your favorite sci-fi books.

1.

 

Isaac Asimov is the greatest science fiction writer who ever lived. Period. He might arguably be one of the 10 greatest writer who ever lived. The Foundation Trilogy is his crowning achievement. It routinely beat Lord of The Rings in all the competitions. To get a small dose of Asimov's brilliance - read this short story.

2.

This book will make Matrix seem like a slow boring dragged out story. Drama, action and loads of cool futuristic stuff. Very hard to put this book down once you start reading it. Card wrote about 6 more sequels - all terrific, but Ender's Game is his best one.

3.

Orwell is definitely one of the best writers who ever lived. 1984 is a dystopian view of the future - which some people say hasn't come true simply because Orwell wrote this book. Even still, this is political intrigue set in a wonderfully dark future. His prose is simple yet powerful.

*Orwell wrote another book called "Animal Farm" - not sci-fi but one of the best books ever written in my opinion. A book that can be read by a 10 year old and a 100 year old with equal relish and learn something from.

4.

No one comes even close in creating an atmosphere like Frank Herbert did in his seminal book, Dune. The effect is powerful enough to make you feel as if you are sitting in the middle of the desert extremely thirsty.

5.

With lines like these, how can this book be anything but hilarious and awesome.-

Marvin: "I am at a rough estimate thirty billion times more intelligent than you. Let me give you an example. Think of a number, any number."
Zem: "Er, five."
Marvin: "Wrong. You see?

Honorable Mention - Turbulence by Samit Basu. The only readable Sci-Fi book from an Indian author I have come across.

Let me know your thoughts.