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 22 December 2009) 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 23 December 2009) 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 13 September 2009)
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 16 August 2009)
Site Visitors Choice Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton 2004 (Del Rey)
2009 Awards - Novels The Top Performers *********************** Anathem by Neal Stephenson Wins: Locus Shortlists: Hugo, Campbell, Clarke
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Peter F Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga keeps the space opera flame burning with intensity and intelligence.
By the 24th century Earth is the centre of the colonial-style Intersolar Commonwealth, all made possible by the discovery of wormhole travel. When the stars 2000 light years in the distance known as the Dyson Pair disappear, a faster-than-light ship is needed to satisfy humankind's curiosity.
In future volumes we will no doubt discover if curiosity does indeed kill the cat, but for now Hamilton is content to embellish us in a thoroughly-conceived high-tech future and outstanding character development.
The sensational follow-up to the Night's Dawn Trilogy ensures that Hamilton's star remains well and truly on the rise. Along with John Scalzi, Hamilton helps take the space operatic form to stunning new levels of excitement and intellectual challenge.
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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)
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*********************** Terminal Mind by David Walton Wins: Dick (Tie)
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Pocketed Essential
Science Fiction Films by John Costello 2004 (Pocket Essentials)
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3rd Rock From the Sun Season 1 & 2 46 episodes 1996-97 (NBC)
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Irreverent, often distasteful, and at times utterly hilarious. A crew of aliens is sent to Earth on cultural fact-finding mission.
They take on human form with some strange twists - the oldest and wisest gets to be a teenager, the macho military expert becomes his sister, etc. John Lithgow is a hoot as their self-centred commander.
At the time of writing all 139 episodes from the show's six-season run were available for free viewing on YouTube. As might be expected, the overall quality of individual episodes tended to decline as the show wore on. At its' best, however, 3rd Rock ranks as some of the funniest sci-fi ever to make it to the small screen.
The show's first two seasons are completely absent of turkeys. But viewers beware! Some of this stuff can cause lethal laughter.
John Costello's sci-fi entry in the Pocket Essentials series is a lively well-informed read that is sure to please.
The author crams the essential info on sci-fi films into a mere 160 pages--all while taking direct and unrepentant critical aim at each movie listed. A star rating system common to such guides will no doubt spark more than a few healthy debates.
Costello kicks off with an imaginary timeline of the history of humanity as told by sci-fi cinema. His intro to the genre then leads into an era by era rundown of the movies and some of their more interesting points for discussion. Also included are chapters on animation and the great bad movies.
The only real gripe is the lack of an alphabetical index of films listed. This aside, there is little doubt that fans of the genre will find this volume concise, informative and a load of just plain science fictional fun.
