The all-time best sci-fi books, films, TV shows and stories
Sci-Fi Lists is dedicated to bringing you quality lists and concise reviews of science fiction's all-time top books, films, TV shows and short stories. The Top 200 Sci-Fi Books list is the flagship of the site, but lists have also been compiled for movies and television with the aim of being the most statistically reliable of their type found anywhere on the net. All lists are regularly updated to include new sources of information that become available, including results from the relevant Sci-Fi Lists online polls.
The Book List Awards - 20; Published critics - 38; Popular polls - 15; Other lists - 53 A statistical survey of sci-fi literary awards, noted critics and popular polls. To qualify a book has to be generally regarded as science fiction by credible sources and/or recognised as having historical significance to the development of the genre. For books that are part of a series (with some notable exceptions) only the first book in the series is listed. (Updated 23 August 2010) The Film List Published critics - 22; Popular polls - 13; Other lists - 77 A statistical survey that includes data from noted critics and popular polls. The qualification rules are similar to those used for the books list and for statistical purposes films in a series are treated in tallies as stand-alones. Exceptions to this rule include the Star Wars trilogies. (Updated 4 June 2010) The Television List Experts polled - 11; Published critics - 6; Popular polls - 9; Other lists - 90 Based on data gathered from a statistical survey and a direct poll of sci-fi television experts - including critics, editors and website managers. Shows often classified under other genres but containing significant and notable sci-fi content (e.g. The Avengers & The Wild, Wild West) qualify for inclusion on the list. (Updated 1 August 2010)
The Short Fiction List Popular polls - 3; Published critics - 2; Awards - 6 A very difficult list to start owing to the lack of published data. Locus, Nebula and Hugo award information helped formulate the original list. A couple of ageing polls also helped out, but it was site visitor interest that kept it going. The online poll and visitor feedback are the main sources for updating this list, which generates more than its fair share of healthy debate. (Updated 4 June 2010)
The update of the Top 200 book list in late-August 2010 shows a trio of superb novels bubbling under the pack.
Newbery winner and perennial school favourite The Giver by Lois Lowry has jumped 17 places to #235. It is the story of a 12 year old boy who learns the painful truth about his utopian society when he is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories.
Jack McDevitt's Seeker - about the search for a mythical Atlantis-like space colony - has jumped 15 places into #249. Its sensational blend of action and science is sure to launch a steady rise up the Top 200.
Similarly, Peter F Hamilton has done it again with his spawling space opera Pandora's Star, up 14 places from last time around. Thanks to wormhole travel, human curiosity unleashes some nasty aliens from the stars known as the Dyson Pair - proving that sci-fi is alive and well in the process.
Isaac Asimov is arguably the most influential figure of the 'Big Three' writers of Golden Age science fiction.
Although his early sci-fi output was relatively minimal - Asimov's editing, popular science papers and overall affability made him a favourite with fans. The remarkable 'Nightfall' (1941) established Asimov as a serious writer and is often regarded as the greatest sci-fi short story of all time.
A professor of biochemistry, Asimov's early positronic robot stories (see I, Robot) are based on his ingenious Three Laws of Robotics. The famous Foundation Trilogy (1951-53) is a landmark of intellectual sci-fi, introducing the science of 'Psychohistory'.
Brave New Words Edited by Jeff Prucher 2007 (Oxford)
2009 Awards - Novels The Top Performers *********************** Anathem by Neal Stephenson Wins: Locus Shortlists: Hugo, Campbell, Clarke
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With a dearth of sci-fi reference books on the market, it is refreshing to find one that is both fun and informative.
Editor Jeff Prucher left no stone unturned in collecting a staggering array of source materials on which to base the definitions in this book. These include not only sci-fi sources such as books and magazines - but also mainstream publications, fanzines, screenplays, newspapers, comics, film, songs and the Internet.
The real delight is that - far from being a dry academic work - this dictionary is a load of fun to read. It is plainly obvious that Prucher has a keen understanding of sci-fi fandom and all its cosmically warped idiosyncrasies.
A deserved winner of a 2008 Hugo Award, definitions are exhaustingly referenced, in the process making this a valuable historical work. As an academic reference book or just a plain fun read - this one is a winner.
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Little Brother by Cory Doctorow Wins: Campbell Shortlists: Nebula, Hugo
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Saturn's Children by Charles Stross Shortlists: Hugo, Locus
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Emissaries From the Dead by Adam-Troy Castro Wins: Dick (Tie)
