Adam Savage's Top 5 Science Fiction Books 

ICYMI, here's Adam and Will discussing another favorite book of Adam's: Seveneves: www.tested.com/science/space/536338-seveneves-spoilercast-8112015/

Also, it’s a great sign of a true sci-fi fan when their top 5 list has way more than 5 books on it.

_Neuromancer_ has one of the best opening lines in SF Literature: "The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."

I found reading all the comments very enjoyable!!! I began reading SF when I was 15 and am now 75. I must have read many many many sci-fi stories. The comments brought back remembrances of having read so many stories. It was also nice to know I was not the only Sci-Fi nerd.

I read The Left Hand of Darkness when I was 16, and I still remember the lessons it taught me as a reader. That was 15 years ago, and it may be one of the more influential books I read in my teens. Also, I really love the Heinlein series. The way all of his books interact is always interesting and mind bending.

Rendezvous With Rama, The Invincible, The Foundation Trilogy, Dune, The Martian Chronicles

“Tell me of the waters of your homeworld, Muad’dib.”

Ursula LeGuin's parents were Anthropologists. They met someone who was essentially an alien. He was a California Indian who was the last of his tribe. Her Mother, Theodora Kroeber wrote a YA and an adult book about him. They are Ishi, Last of his Tribe and Ishi in Two Worlds. The writing is luminous and immersive. Ursula's Mother was a marvelous writer who is not well enough known.

So glad you mentioned The 3 Body Problem trilogy. I thought it was an incredible trilogy and a very interesting cultural vantage point. Lots of original ideas...atleast new to me.

'The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy' I first read the four part trilogy 35 years ago after having watched the British TV series. In all those years I don't think a week has gone by that some element within those books hasn't been analogous and relative to the reality of life, the universe and everything.

I love, love, love that you included Left Hand of Darkness. Such an amazing book at any time but especially when it was written. Ursula for all the recognition she got is truly underated in my opinion.

Thanks Adam. Reading the first Shikasta book on your recommendation and loving it. She had passed me by and i feel that you may just have opened up a whole new world for me! How did i not know about Doris Lessing! Love and appreciation. Keep up the good work. X

1 Dune (series) by Frank Herbert. 2 The mote in God's eye (and following books) by Larry Niven and Jerrycan Pournelle 3 Foundation series and Robots series by Isaac Asimov 4 Rendez-vous with Rama (Rama series) by Arthur C. Clarke 5 books from Jack Vance 6 giant's star series by James Patrick Hogan

How does any top 5 list have less then 20 books in it?

Two books that were an absolute thrill to read (and had me re-reading parts just because they were so darn interesting): * Hyperion by Dan Simmons * A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

The Three-Body Problem trilogy changed my life. Eastern Sci-fi is so different and has so many new ideas!

"The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman altered my mind.

3 classics not mentioned: Rendezvous with Rama (Arthur C. Clark), The Foundation Series (Isaac Asimov), and Ringworld (Larry Niven).

I’m currently reading SeveNeves and it’s absolutely fascinating. The encyclopedic approach to the story is something I can’t wait to explore in other Stephenson novels!

Just about every Robert Heinlein book from the short (Glory Road, Citizen of the Galaxy, etc) to the big hitters (To Sail Beyond the Sunset, Strange Land, Job) is what got me hooked on Sci-Fi as a small boy. And that start lead me to one of all-time favorites, Peace and War by Joe Haldeman along with Iain M Banks's Culture series. But Adam's initial comment is perfect: "This is a really really tough one - Simply because there are so many to choose from."

The Hyperion Cantos. Shuch masterpieces. Those have changed my views of Science Fiction and left deep memories!

So, just a insider point on 1Q84: the title is a pun. In Japanese, the number 9 in commonly pronounced kue (kyu in proper romaji). So, the pun is 1984, just in Japanese. Ichi, kyu, hachi, shi.

SO GLAD you mentioned Seveneves! Stephenson's first foray into straight up sci-fi. Love all his stuff, but definitely my favorite of his. Hoping there might be another book, concerning 'the agent'

Children of Time (Adrian Tchaikovsky) is an astounding novel - gets you thinking about what it means to exist. Three Body Problem series - tough but well worth the effort. Superb. Loved the Asimov Robot short stories and the Susan Calvin stuff. Does I am Legend count? Herbert's world building in Dune is the equal of Tolkein's Middle Earth.

An under looked gem is Forever War by Joe Haldeman. If you liked Starship Troopers.

Isaac asimov's foundation...and all the robots stories from mr. Asimov

Vonnegut wrote Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, and a short story collection Welcome to the Monkey House. Asimov wrote a great novella Nightfall.

I've been getting into science fiction and excited to see the ones I've read getting recommended here and in the comments. Remembrance of Earth's Past or the Three-Body Problem trilogy (favorite), Dune, Neuromancer, and Red Mars. Started Hyperion and have Foundation in my queue as well as the remaining Dune, Mars, and Neuromancer books. Curious about the others he lists as I hadn't even heard about them. So many good sci-fi books, so little time!

Roger Zelazny's _Lord of Light_ ... reads like fantasy but at heart it's science fiction ...

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein | the Foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov | Ringworld by David Niven | The Ship Who Sang series by Anne McCaffrey | Hammer's Slammers series by David Drake | Lensman series by E.E. "Doc" Smith | the Chanur series by C.J. Cherryh | the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold | the Journal Entries series by Elf Sternberg | Neuromancer by William Gibson Limiting to a Top 5 is hard! Top 10 will have to do.

Such a great list, so happy to see “The Left Hand of Darkness” on the list, it’s an astonishing book and highly recommended.

Thanks to all respondents Adam, and cool question and name guy....my list just grew again. So many awesome authors; thank you all the most.

The Lazarus Long novels by Robert Heinlein starting with Methuselah's Children The Rama trilogy by Arthur C. Clarke The Foundation novels by Isaac Asimov The Robot novels by Isaac Asimov The Lensman series by E.E. Smith The John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs West of Eden series by Harry Harrison

Heinlein's "the moon is a harsh mistress"!

I love books from Arthur C. Clarke, as they offer a great blend of real and fictional pieces, and have that optimistic tone I love about that era of sci-fi. I also like Cosmos by Carl Sagan, Weir's Martian, some stuff by the Pournelle/Niven duo or Mission of Gravity by Hal Clement.

1) three body problem 2) Dune 3) Left hand of darkness

Kurt Vonnegut Cat's Cradle, The Sirens of Titan, Slaughterhouse 5. Russell Hoban Riddley Walker

Really enjoying the The Expanse books as well.

Im currently reading "The Tenth Planet" by Edmund Cooper. It is incredibly deep, in my opinion. The way that the main character, Idris Hamilton, deals with extraordinarily incomprehensible traumas is a whole philosophical conundrum and just such an enjoyable read. I absolutely recommend it. There were moments that were uncomfortable, but merely because of how raw they were.

The Forever War is one of my favorites. Also The Warlock In Spite of Himself - a funny blend of SF and Fantasy.

Science fiction gained popularity in the pulp magazines of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. I recommend finding anthologies of short stories from the old mags so you can meet the authors who invented the science fiction we know and love.

5 is difficult. If I could choose my favorite in a series I listed that. Otherwise I listed entire series. 1. Dune 2. Player of Games 3. Signal to Noise/Signal Shattered 4. Foundation 5. Enders Game

"Snow Crash" blew my mind as a first "cyberpunk" read. And "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick. Perhaps a list of your favorite fantasy books, if you're into them. Cheers!

Mine has to be “The Chrysalids” by John Wyndham, followed closely by “A Canticle For Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller. Amazing books!

I guessed a couple ahead of time :). My faves: Dune, Downbelow Station, Neuromancer, the Dorsai series, and A Canticle for Leibowitz.

Lots of early SciFi books listed here, but there are a number of really good ones published this century as well. Here are a few of my favs with newer ones first: 1. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Trilogy by Taylor. (Human consciousness downloaded into space probes, which can replicate to map nearby star systems) 2. Flowers for Algernon by Keyes. (While not space-related SciFi, this is one of the most well-written, endearing, and emotionally-charged novels of recent memory) 3. The Martian by Wier. (One of the most engaging and well-written books in recent memory. Part journal, part stream-of-consciousness, about as rooted in realism as modern SF comes) 4. Beacon 23 by Howey. (Safe lanes of FTL travel are set up between beacons in space, but these tiny "lighthouses" often break and require maintenance. One man's story of his solo 2-year posting) 5. Tunnel in the Sky by Heinlein. (Coming-of-age book about a group of teens who are sent through a wormhole to an alien world for survival training, only to become stranded. Great for teens+). 6. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein. (Moon colony revolts against Earth's overbearance. Led by an AI, the technologically inferior lunar inhabitants struggle for rights) 7. The Foundation Trilogy by Asimov. (While the premise of being able to predict events centuries into the future via science may be a difficult one to overlook, this series is quintessential in its scope and effects on the genre) 8. From the Earth to the Moon by Verne. (Any book written in the 1860s that so accurately predicts the first moon mission 100 years later, and which gets a "thank you" from Neil Armstrong mid-mission for setting such an accurate blueprint for the first moon mission, is a must read)

Frakkin YES! To hear such a man as Adam recommend Doris Lessing!!! More people need to read her series. Mostly known as a poet and essayist her imagination let rip on such a grand scale is astonishingly refreshing.

Neal Stephenson is interesting for me. I generally like more plot in my books, or at least more active plots, but I have liked every book I've read. They are slow burns, and almost more about world building than characters and plot, but they just work for me. I don't go out of my way to read his books, but when I come across them, I usually give them a read.

"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" - Robert Heinlein

1. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke 2. Dune (and sequels till Chapterhouse: Dune) Frank Herbert --> stay away from the crap by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson 3. Farmer in the Sky, Robert A. Heinlein 4. The Chronicles of Corum (1-3) Michael Moorcock

Asked for 5 books - got half a library of answers. Love it :D

Thanks for posting Adam, and all the best :) Greetings from Finland! My book list: -Ender´s game -Roadside Picnic -Dune -The Tripods trilogy -Barsoom series.

Old Man's War series by John Scalzi is up near the top of my list. I love the humor and the science that is put into those books.

The premise in David Brin's Uplift trilogy was really compelling to me. It begins with Sundiver, but lots of people start with Startide Rising.

*Thank you* for mentioning Snow Crash! One of my favorites and I feel like not nearly enough people have read it or Stephenson in general.

Hey Adam! This video was suggested to me on my home page, and I'm excited to read some of your recs. But seeing as how this video came out over three years ago, I have to ask: are these still your favs or have any newcomers dethroned the bests of 2019?

Definitely Dune, Snowcrash, Left Hand of Darkness, Neuromancer. Would add: New Sun series by Gene Wolfe; Eon series by Greg Bear; Brin's Uplift series.

Dune Series, Ringworld Series, The More than Complete Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, H.G. Wells Time Machine, John Christophers The Tripods Series

I loved Dune and Left Hand of Darkness, which I read in high school over 45 years ago; Dune had the most lasting imagery for me, and I was so excited by the new movie because it matches my mind's images! The Foundation trilogy also was an important read in my high school years, as was The Crystal Cave. And then there was the Lord of the Rings trilogy; I don't think my friends or parents saw me for two full weeks while I was engrossed by them. So there's my Top 5. :) Great question, Cody, and I agree with Adam that you have a great name for a character, either in a fictional or real world setting!

John Varley - Titan, Wizard, Demon Hands down one of the best trilogies ever

My collection contains about 3000 titles. My first book was Eric Frank Russell's The Junk Yard Planet.I have these series in toto, David Brin's Uplift series,both Herbert's Dune series,David Weber's Honor Harrington series, John Ringo's Gust Front series. All of Robert Heinlein's novels, all of A.E. Von Vogt I can find. Leguin ,and Tiptree the more impressive of the women's writers. Unfortunately 10 years ago I became disabled ,this curtailed my buying of new titles. So I haven't kept up.

I would add A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr., winner of the 1961 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Also, 'Dorsai!' and 'The Spirit of Dorsai, two of several novels' in the Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickinson. I have made a to-read list of 6 of your 7 picks, since I have read Dune and sequels, but can't remember which Le Guin novels I have read.

I looked at the list in the description and thought "The Three Body Problem should be in there"! Was so happy he listed it at no. 8. 🙏 Should be in the descriptions as well.

Neuromancer is my favorite sci-fi book of all time, I'm glad to hear someone else appreciate it.

Adam, Left Hand of Darkness is but a part of a larger whole, the Hainish Cycle, and from, admittedly limited experience I had with it, I can honestly recommend it. Ursula K. Le Guin was a terrific writer and her works are definitely worth everyones attention, especially since she somehow manages to write novels that are short and concise, yet somehow so amazingly full of details. Rocannon's World for example, which is the first book of the cycle and also Le Guin's debut novel, tells the story of a man who is send on a scouting mission to a planet inhabited by different medieval cultures of people who evolved into what we would most likely consider elves and dwarves. Also her famous fantasy cycle, The Earthsea comes greatly recommended. Another book I could recommend is The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge along with its continuations. Often overlooked truly epic stories that include concepts of environmental and sociological s-f.

Isaac Asimov, Robot / Foundation series are one of the best books Ive read

Fred Pohl’s Heechee saga is also one of the best sci fi series ever.

A book I've read twice and listened in audio format is The World at the End of Time by Frederik Pohl (1990) and just recently finished Tau Zero by Poul Anderson (1970), both with a coincidentally similar theme of time advancement and death of the universe.

For fans of Dune, or space opera in general, check out A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge. Truly amazing writing. Best space opera ever.

Haven't read any of these, probably because I'm older. I have way too many favorites, but 5 of them would be: Stranger in a Strange Land - Heinlien On Basilik Station - Weber The Mote in God's Eye - Niven / Pournelle Little Fuzzy - Piper The Illustrated Man - Bradbury

Great picks--never heard of Shikasta but it sounds really interesting! My only book series to add would be Gene Wolfe's 4-part The Book of the New Sun.

Great suggestions! Thank you.

If you haven't read Octavia Butler's series Lillith's Brood (Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago) then do so. Very clever!

My personal list 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey Saga 2. Dune 3. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep 4. Ringworld 5. 1984 Honorable Mentions (the eight in my top 5) 6. War of the Worlds 7. A Clockwork Orange 8. Fariegnhiet 451 Trust me I know this isnt the most original, but sometimes classics are classic for a reason.

Hey Adam, if you like HUGE ideas in sci-fi, try Steven Baxter's Xeelee Sequence. He's not as lyrical as the writers you've named, but his work is more about the scale of scientific concepts, and truly grand theories.

always love to hear mentions of Neuromancer, Snow Crash and Seveneves! Love those books

Snow Crash completely blew my mind when I read it as a teenager. Neal Stephenson's ideas about the Metaverse were groundbreaking for the time. This book came out in 1992, before we had anything like virtual reality. His exploration of the man / machine interface and that consequences of that were also truly amazing. I'm also a huge fan of The Diamond Age by him, which I feel is one of the best depictions of a post-scarcity nanotechnology-driven society.

Good call on Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. It's gigantic and bold, and a bit emotional. Really great.

Thanks for the suggestions. I totally agreed on the ones that I had already read.

One of my favorites is Lord of Light by Rogers Zelazny. I know his Amber series gets a lot of readers and he has a lot of other good stuff, but I consider Lord of Light to be his masterwork.

David Brin's Uplift series has been a long favourite of mine

Protector, 1973, written by Larry Niven. One of my earliest, and favorite Sci Fi books.

I would like to know your next 5 favorite sci-fi books please. You have perfect taste in books.

Amazing to hear Girl in Landscape mentioned! Loved that book, so strange and beautiful!

Foundation series. It's an epic among epics, and there are sections that will likely make you want to stop, but it's another work that I think seriously stretched the envelope of science fiction's possibilities.

Also by LeGuin: The Dispossessed. And also, anything by LeGuin

Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks. The ships names are insight into Bank's wit. Eg. "Falling outside normal moral restraints" or something like that. The ship's avatars are an extension of this wit and storytelling. Absolutely remarkable writing.

Totally agree with Neuromancer and Murakami's 1Q84. I've read Neuromancer for the first time in the 90s and have re-read the whole trilogy multiple times since. I have read 1Q84 for the first time in January 2021 and I expect it to be my favourite book of 2021 by the end of the year.

Let's list my favorites since everyone else is doing it 1. I have no Mouth and I must Scream 2. The War of the Worlds 3. The Commissar Cain series 4. H.P. Lovecraft anything if you consider it Sci Fi 5. The Land Ironclads Bit more obscure books, but I enjoy them

I love seeing Snow Crash get the love it deserves!

Great recommendations. Three Body Problem trilogy is one of my all time faves.

Thanks for the tips. I've read Lethem a lot but never heard of that one. Same for Lessing's.

Thanks for doing this - it makes me feel like I should join a book club (LOL). I saw some other nice mentions in other's comments, but didn't see the Foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov or Larry Niven's Ringworld series.

Neuromancer and The Forever War are two of my all-time favorite Sci-fi books.

Adam, you've gotta check out the four book series known as The Hyperion Cantos. I read it through every 5 years and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

Thank you Adam. The Trisolaris books are amazing, difficult but wonderful. And Dune is my all-time favorite book. I'm going to need to bookmark this page for all these great suggestions in the comments.

Larry Niven, I like a lot of him for example Ringworld. For that matter, I like all of the stories playing in that setting "Known Space" (IIRC). But also works like "The Mote in God's eye", with Jerry Pournelle.

The Culture series by Ian Banks, some of the best writing I've read in any genre. I've only read the first five but they've all been amazing and Use of Weapons has become one of my favorite books of all time.

Adam have you read "Canticle for Leibowitz-1959".... It's pretty amazing and under rated.

Greg Egan has my heart. But having read couple of Egan's books I'm convinced I could enjoy many other scifi books as well. And I now have all of these bookmarked for later. Some of them sound amazing!