The Most Significant SF & Fantasy Books
"The Most Significant SF & Fantasy Books of the Last 50 Years (1953-2002)"
- The Science Fiction Book Club
- 1 The Lord of the Rings J. R. R. Tolkien
- 2 The Foundation Trilogy Isaac Asimov
- 3 Dune Frank Herbert
- 4 Stranger in a Strange Land Robert A. Heinlein
- 5 A Wizard of Earthsea Ursula K. Le Guin
- 6 Neuromancer William Gibson
- 7 Childhood's End Arthur C. Clarke
- 8 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Philip K. Dick
- 9 The Mists of Avalon Marion Zimmer Bradley
- 10 Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
- 11 The Book of the New Sun Gene Wolfe
- 12 A Canticle for Leibowitz Walter M. Miller Jr.
- 13 The Caves of Steel Isaac Asimov
- 14 Children of the Atom Wilmar Shiras
- 15 Cities in Flight James Blish
- 16 The Colour of Magic Terry Pratchett
- 17 Dangerous Visions Harlan Ellison
- 18 Deathbird Stories Harlan Ellison
- 19 The Demolished Man Alfred Bester
- 20 Dhalgren Samuel R. Delany
- 21 Dragonflight Anne McCaffrey
- 22 Ender's Game Orson Scott Card
- 23 The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Stephen R. Donaldson
- 24 The Forever War Joe Haldeman
- 25 Gateway Frederik Pohl
- 26 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling
- 27 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams
- 28 I Am Legend Richard Matheson
- 29 Interview with the Vampire Anne Rice
- 30 The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula K. Le Guin
- 31 Little, Big John Crowley
- 32 Lord of Light Roger Zelazny
- 33 The Man in the High Castle Philip K. Dick
- 34 Mission of Gravity Hal Clement
- 35 More Than Human Theodore Sturgeon
- 36 The Rediscovery of Man Cordwainer Smith
- 37 On the Beach Nevil Shute
- 38 Rendezvous with Rama Arthur C. Clarke
- 39 Ringworld Larry Niven
- 40 Rogue Moon Algis J. Budrys
- 41 The Silmarillion J. R. R. Tolkien
- 42 Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut
- 43 Snow Crash Neal Stephenson
- 44 Stand on Zanzibar John Brunner
- 45 The Stars My Destination Alfred Bester
- 46 Starship Troopers Robert A. Heinlein
- 47 Stormbringer Michael Moorcock
- 48 The Sword of Shannara Terry Brooks
- 49 Timescape Gregory Benford
- 50 To Your Scattered Bodies Go Philip Jose Farmer
This was obviously a   list compiled in 2003.
This list's title, description, and content copyright © 2003, Science Fiction Book Club.   All rights reserved.
I'm not planning on reading them all, but . . .
I have read 15 so far (see my ratings):
1 The Lord of the Rings (5/5)
3 Dune (5/5)
4 Stranger in a Strange Land (4/5)
7 Childhood's End (5/5)
9 The Mists of Avalon (5/5)
12 A Canticle for Leibowitz (3/5)
19 The Demolished Man (3/5)
22 Ender's Game (4/5)
24 The Forever War (5/5)
28 I Am Legend (4/5)
32 Lord of Light (3/5)
35 More Than Human (5/5)
38 Rendezvous with Rama (4/5)
45 The Stars My Destination (5/5)
50 To Your Scattered Bodies Go (4/5)
I have on my bookshelf to read:
25 Gateway Frederik Pohl
30 The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula K. Le Guin
42 Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut
I'm really excited to see Crowley's Little, Big on the list. I've always felt it's been unfairly neglected.
I've just read the reviews - I must just order a copy.
I've recommended the book to several people, all of whom loved it. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it.