Well, 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is often considered a top sci - fi novel. It explores themes of gender and society in a unique alien world. 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is also amazing. It weaves together multiple stories in a far - future, interstellar setting. And 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is a great read. It has a wild mix of cyberpunk elements, linguistics, and a really interesting take on a post - apocalyptic future.
I think 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is one of the best. It tells the story of a young boy being trained in a military - like environment to fight an alien threat. The character development is really good. Also, 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' by Walter M. Miller Jr. is a classic. It shows the cyclical nature of civilization rising and falling in a post - nuclear world. And 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is a must - read. It's a hilarious and imaginative journey through the galaxy.
I'd say 'Ringworld' by Larry Niven is a great one. It's about a huge, artificial ring - shaped world and the adventures that take place there. 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells is a classic. It was one of the first to really explore the idea of an alien invasion. Also, 'Starship Troopers' by Robert A. Heinlein is a good choice. It delves into military life in a future where humans are fighting an alien species.
Well, without knowing Thomas Lombardo's exact list, I can name a few that are often on best - of - lists. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is a great one. It explores a future society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for specific roles. Then there's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams, which is a hilarious and imaginative take on the universe, filled with strange aliens and absurd situations.
In my opinion, 'Ancillary Justice' stands out. The unique perspective of the story, told from the point of view of a former part of a sentient ship, is really fresh in the sci - fi genre. The world - building is detailed and complex, and it also delves into issues of power, identity, and what it means to be human in a very interesting way.
Some of the 2020 best sci - fi novels include 'Network Effect' by Martha Wells. It continues the story of Murderbot, a self - aware security unit, in an exciting adventure. Another one could be 'The City We Became' by N. K. Jemisin, which is a creative take on cities coming to life in a very strange and magical way.
Some of the well - known ones could be 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a complex universe with politics, religion and ecology all intertwined. '1984' by George Orwell, though more of a dystopian novel, is also a great sci - fi work. It warns about totalitarianism. And 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley which shows a future society where people are engineered for specific roles.
One of the best sci - fi novels in 2017 was 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting take on an interstellar empire on the verge of collapse, with great world - building and engaging characters.
One of the great ones in 2018 was 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really unique and mysterious setting. The way the environment is described makes it seem like a place that's both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Another good one was 'The Calculating Stars' by Mary Robinette Kowal. It combines the idea of space exploration with some really interesting social and gender issues.
Some of the great ones include 'Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee. It has a complex and unique world - building with a military - focused plot. Another is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead which uses a sci - fi element in the form of a literal underground railroad to tell a powerful story about slavery and freedom.
Some of the best 2019 sci - fi novels include 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a great follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' with its exploration of a dystopian future. Another one could be 'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz, which plays with time travel and feminist themes. And 'Recursion' by Blake Crouch is also quite good, dealing with mind - bending concepts of memory and time.
'Axiom's End' by Lindsay Ellis is also a notable 2020 sci - fi novel. It tells a story about first contact with an alien species. It explores themes like government secrecy, family relationships, and the far - reaching consequences of making contact with beings from another world. The characters are well - drawn and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish.