Must-read science fiction books of all time

Although there are earlier examples of what could be considered science fiction literature, the term "Science Fiction" as we know it today was not coined until the 1920s. Among these pioneering sci-fi stories, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is widely regarded as a foundational work. Meanwhile, authors such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are often credited as the fathers of modern science fiction.

The genre has continuously evolved, influenced by technological innovations that have profoundly shaped daily life throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Stories about space travel or dystopian futures often reflect the power and consequences of technology in the modern world. Works by authors such as Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Philip K. Dick capture the cultural mindset intertwined with scientific progress.

This list of must-read books includes classic science fiction novels that laid the foundation for the genre’s enduring popularity.