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Archive > NPR Top 100 Sci-fi &Fantasy Reads

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message 1: by Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy (new)

Rinn (rinnsohma) | 3456 comments Mod
I found this list and am going to make it a challenge to read as many of them as possible!

So far I've read 14 of them, and have 3 series unfinished. What about you?

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert

5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin

6. 1984, by George Orwell

7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov

9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman

11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman

12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan

13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell

14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson

15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore

16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov

17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein

18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss

19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick

22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King

24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke

25. The Stand, by Stephen King

26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson

27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury

28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut

29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman

30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess

31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein

32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams

33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey

34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein

35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller

36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells

37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne

38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys

39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells

40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny

41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings

42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley

43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson

44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven

45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin

46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien

47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White

48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman

49. Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke

50. Contact, by Carl Sagan

51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons

52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson

54. World War Z, by Max Brooks

55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle

56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman

57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett

58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson

59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold

60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett

61. The Mote In God's Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle

62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind

63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy

64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke

65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson

66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist

67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks

68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard

69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb

70. The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson

72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne

73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore

74. Old Man's War, by John Scalzi

75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson

76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke

77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey

78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin

79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury

80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire

81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson

82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde

83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks

84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart

85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson

86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher

87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe

88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn

89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan

90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock

91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury

92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley

93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge

94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov

95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson

96. Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle

97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis

98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville

99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony

100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis


message 2: by Sinead (new)

Sinead | 49 comments 27 for me so far. And there's a couple there that have been recommended so I'll be keeping this list and going through it bit by bit :-)


message 3: by Paul (last edited Sep 20, 2013 01:51PM) (new)

Paul (halfmanhalfbook) | 441 comments Great list, I have read about 20. Some of them are series's as well! By why watership down?


message 4: by Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy (new)

Rinn (rinnsohma) | 3456 comments Mod
I really don't know =/


message 5: by Mpauli, Bitten by a radioactive book (new)

Mpauli | 769 comments Mod
19, but not all of them are finished. F.e. I've only read the first 2 WoT books.


message 6: by Sinead (new)

Sinead | 49 comments Was wondering that myself - did have a jigsaw of it as a kid, does that count? ;-)


message 7: by Helen (new)

Helen French (helenfrench) | 37 comments I got up to about 30+ but that's including series that I may not have finished yet. Some good books there I should probably put on my to-read pile.


message 8: by Paul (new)

Paul (halfmanhalfbook) | 441 comments Will b setting a shelf up soon!


message 9: by Shannon (new)

Shannon (conflicteddesires) This particular list was fan voted and definitely good for someone looking for suggestions.


message 10: by Soila (new)

Soila | 135 comments I got 17 read and 9 in progress or soon to be read. I'm glad to see the Outlander series in there, though it's very light in the fantasy department in my opinion.


message 11: by Kirsty, Jedi Master (new)

Kirsty Cabot (kirstycabot) | 1924 comments Mod
I have 11 read, 9 bought on my shelves ready to read, and 3 series started :)


message 12: by Wayland, Ernest Scribbler (new)

Wayland Smith | 3547 comments Mod
Rinn wrote: "I found this list and am going to make it a challenge to read as many of them as possible!

I've read 47 of those.

I will warn folks that the Thomas Covenant books are very divisive. A good friend of mine described it as "The best fantasy setting I've ever read, utterly ruined by the main character." Interesting list, I may add it to my to do stuff.



message 13: by Sinead (new)

Sinead | 49 comments It's been a few years since I've read the Thomas Covenant books and though they might be a little different, no different or decisive (IMO) than the Wheel of Time series. Both of which I enjoyed thoroughly and will reread again.


message 14: by Sinead (new)

Sinead | 49 comments It's been a few years since I've read the Thomas Covenant books and though they might be a little different, no different or decisive (IMO) than the Wheel of Time series. Both of which I enjoyed thoroughly and will reread again.


message 15: by Mpauli, Bitten by a radioactive book (new)

Mpauli | 769 comments Mod
Leanne wrote: "I've read 10 of them, and I keep trying to get people to read Codex Alera ALL the time!"

I had them on my list for some time now. This sounds as I should move them up on my priority list.


message 16: by Wayland, Ernest Scribbler (new)

Wayland Smith | 3547 comments Mod
Leanne wrote: "I've read 10 of them, and I keep trying to get people to read Codex Alera ALL the time!"

Codex Alera is a great series.

But I may be biased, I'm a Jim Butcher fan; Dresden Files is a very close second favorite series of mine.


message 17: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer (desdinova) 24 so far


message 18: by Nic, Wormhole Technician (new)

Nic Margett (enn_eye_cee) | 353 comments Mod
Paul wrote: "Great list, I have read about 20. Some of them are series's as well! By why watership down?"

Watership Down is considered a Dystopia, same as Animal Farm. I totally disagree that either should be classed as SF/F though.


message 19: by Freya, Dragon Rider (new)

Freya (flamecat) | 1835 comments Mod
I've read 16 of the books/series/trilogies and 5 series that I am part way though :)


message 20: by Timchuck (new)

Timchuck Great list,I've read about 40+. Most of the series I am still working on.

The Codex Alera series looks interesting and I haven't tried the Dresden Files yet. My to read list just keep getting bigger.


message 21: by Jenn (new)

Jenn (ace-geek) Wow I've only read a few of these, but there are several on my tbr list.


message 22: by Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy (new)

Rinn (rinnsohma) | 3456 comments Mod
Timchuck wrote: "Great list,I've read about 40+. Most of the series I am still working on.

The Codex Alera series looks interesting and I haven't tried the Dresden Files yet. My to read list just keep getting bigger."


40+! Impressive! :o


message 23: by Wayland, Ernest Scribbler (new)

Wayland Smith | 3547 comments Mod
Leanne wrote: "Wayland wrote: "Codex Alera is a great series.

But I may be biased, I'm a Jim Butcher fan; Dresden Files is..."

I actually don't like his Dresden Files series at all. I read Codex Alera first bec..."


I loved them from the start. Many have said it really takes off for them during book three. But opinions vary, of course.


message 24: by Leslie (new)

Leslie I love lists! Before I start typing which ones I have read, I thought I would link to the original list:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/1392485...

Here is what I have read so far:
1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (read multiple times!)
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
3. Dune (only read the first one of the series)
4. Game of Thrones (again, only read the first book)
5. 1984
6. Fahrenheit 451
7. The Foundation trilogy (loved the whole series)
8. Brave New World
9. The Princess Bride
10. Animal Farm
11. I, Robot
12. Stranger in a Strange Land
13. Slaughterhouse-Five
14. Frankenstein
15. The Handmaid's Tale
16. Watership Down (hated it!)
17. Dragonflight (read and own most of this series)
18. The Time Machine
19. Flowers for Algernon
20. The War of the Worlds
21. Ringworld
22. The Silmarillion (couldn't get interested)
23. The Once and Future King
24. Cordelia's Honor (first omnibus of the Vorkosigan saga)
25. The Shannara trilogy (and the rest of the series)
26. The Time Traveler's Wife
27. A Journey to the Center of the Earth
28. The Eyre Affair (and the rest of the series)
29. The Crystal Cave
30. The Xanth series

I also have quite of few of these on my to-read shelf, and at least 2 I plan to read in October:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.


message 25: by Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy (new)

Rinn (rinnsohma) | 3456 comments Mod
Oh, you've already read a fair amount of them, nice =D


message 26: by Antonis (new)

Antonis (antonakis) | 62 comments From those 100, I have read 25 though some of them are series that I haven't finished yet or I don't intend to finish. So, to be honest it's more like 20(+5) or something like that. I found this list a bit peculiar though, especially in the way some books were included and many others are not. Did they have a popular poll to pick them out? Or did some editors just choose their favorite reads? I'd have to say that several seminal works of fantasy are missing while some other made me raise an eyebrow. I personally don't intend to follow this list in my future reading (although I will definitely happen to read many more of those, time & life permitting) but I suppose in general it's a good starting point for anybody interested in F&SF and I would not mind recommending it.


message 27: by Tom (new)

Tom | 216 comments I've read 7 of them fully and nine I'm part way through e.g. on book 12 of wot and 7 of sword of truth


message 28: by Kirsty, Jedi Master (new)

Kirsty Cabot (kirstycabot) | 1924 comments Mod
You can follow my progress if you so wish :)

http://wp.me/p3Vdbg-5E


message 29: by Wayland, Ernest Scribbler (new)

Wayland Smith | 3547 comments Mod
Ok, I don't think I ever put a number here. Read 58 so far.


message 30: by Trillian (new)

Trillian Wow, 58! Impressive!

I have finished 16 books/series, currently reading 2 of them and have three series in progress.


message 31: by Rick (new)

Rick 27. Mostly the SF, some of the fantasy. Lots of fantasy in that list and especially long series. I didn't count a couple of series where the first book didn't grab me so I never read the series. Interesting list though, As always we could nitpick whether X belongs there or why book Y isn't there, but lots of good stuff there.


message 32: by [deleted user] (new)

I've read 19 of these, and I'm probably never going to read at least 20, hah.


message 33: by Lel (new)

Lel (lelspear) | 2417 comments Mod
I've done about 22 including series that I'm part the way through. I'm a little surprised that Adrian Tchiakovsky Shadows of the Apt series is not in there, seen as other newer books are. That might just be me though.


message 34: by Bana AZ (new)

Bana AZ (anabana_a) Oooh, an old thread. I just found out about this list from another group last year and made me realize I need to read more SFF. I've read about 14 of these and do plan to complete the list someday.


message 35: by Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms (new)

Paul | 3571 comments Mod
Might have a look and see myself. I've seen the list before but not checked my progress in a while.


message 36: by Andrew (new)

Andrew Nice list. I think I count 16 I have read--including the FOURTEEN WoT, 7 Dark Tower, and 5 Belgardiad and a couple more reasonable trilogies, which frankly is rude to count as "one" LOL A couple series I started but haven't got around to finishing. At least one standalone book I started and disliked too much to finish :P

I see some nice ones to add to my list too :)


message 37: by Cupcakes & Machetes, Hybrid Creature (new)

Cupcakes & Machetes (hybridcreature) | 888 comments Mod
I've read 13 out of that list. (Though I haven't completed the whole series of most of those I've read.)
I also counted the Malazan series as I'm reading the first one right now.


message 38: by Lancer, Warden of the Slums (new)

Lancer (elancer) | 1667 comments Mod
I have read pieces of 16 of them, not the whole series for some but have read parts


message 39: by Wolf_Maiden (new)

Wolf_Maiden | 12 comments I have read 19 of those, and am planning to read some of the others.


message 40: by Andreas (new)

Andreas | 106 comments I've read 57 of those.
If you're fan of lists like me, you probably have already checked NPR list at WorldsWithoutEnds for easy tracking :)


message 41: by Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms (new)

Paul | 3571 comments Mod
Shocked to see I've read 33 on the list. Didn't think it would be that high


message 42: by Roger, Knight Radiant (new)

Roger | 2032 comments Mod
I've unknowlingly knocked off a lot of the ones on this list in the past year and I'm up to 42 (though I haven't finished all the series)


message 43: by Lel (new)

Lel (lelspear) | 2417 comments Mod
Im up to 36. Like Roger I seem to have got through a lot of these last year, even with unfinished series. Too many lists!!! :)


message 44: by Audrey, Queen of the Potato People (new)

Audrey (niceyackerman) | 3532 comments Mod
I think I got 15, counting parts of series. I haven't read much Verne. Others I'll get to some day.

Roger, you should stay at 42 because that would just rock.


message 45: by Myriel (new)

Myriel | 13 comments I've only read 23 so far, but another 23 books are already on my shelfes and only waiting for me to read them.


message 46: by Roger, Knight Radiant (new)

Roger | 2032 comments Mod
Audrey wrote: "I think I got 15, counting parts of series. I haven't read much Verne. Others I'll get to some day.

Roger, you should stay at 42 because that would just rock."


:)


message 47: by Susie (new)

Susie (susiend104) | 265 comments Ohhh, this is a good list! 26 finished (well, up to what's been completed in some cases), 7 started but not finished. 12 physically waiting on my shelf/in my Kindle for me to read them, many more on my TBR!


message 48: by Kate (new)

Kate (kgskocelas) | 474 comments 26/50 (not including multiple books in the same series). Definitely want to read the rest!


message 49: by Derrick (new)

Derrick (noetichatter) I have done 26 so far, though for some it's been decades!


message 50: by Greg (last edited Mar 19, 2016 09:54AM) (new)

Greg | 1465 comments I've read 31 so far. Some of them have been a long time ago for me too Noetic Hatter. :) These are the ones I've read:

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
6. 1984, by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
22. The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
28. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne
38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys
39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis


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