I think 'Starship Troopers' is quite popular. It has an interesting take on military life in a science - fiction setting. The movie adaptation also made it more well - known.
Among the most popular from the 'science fiction top 100 books' is 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It combines cyberpunk elements with a fast - paced story set in a future where the virtual and real worlds are intertwined. It has complex characters and a really engaging plot that keeps readers hooked. It also delves into concepts like language and power in unique ways. Another popular one is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a great structure, with different characters' stories coming together. The world - building is amazing, with a rich and detailed universe that feels both alien and relatable.
Definitely 'Dune'. It's so popular that it has been made into movies and has a huge fan base. 'The War of the Worlds' by H. G. Wells is also very well - known. It was one of the early science - fiction works that influenced many later authors. And 'I, Robot' by Isaac Asimov with its exploration of artificial intelligence.
Another potentially popular one could be any book that dealt with emerging technologies at the time like genetic engineering. It would have caught the public's attention as it related to real - world scientific advancements. Books with such themes often create a sense of wonder and fear at the same time, making them very appealing to the science fiction reading audience.
One of the most popular was 'Hyperion'. It has a very unique narrative structure, which attracted a lot of readers. The world - building is also extremely detailed.
Among the popular ones is 'The Forever War'. It won several awards and has been highly regarded for its realistic take on the horrors of war in a science - fiction context. The way it deals with time differences due to space travel is also very interesting.
I think 'Dune' by Frank Herbert might be among the popular ones. It has a richly detailed universe with complex politics, ecology, and a messianic hero. It's been extremely influential in the science fiction genre.
I think 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is quite popular. It shows a future society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for specific roles, which is both disturbing and interesting.
Well, '2001: A Space Odyssey' was already quite well - known from the movie, but the book was also very popular among science fiction fans in the 1980s. Its exploration of human - machine interaction and the mystery of the monoliths was fascinating. 'The Uplift War' was also popular as it had a great mix of adventure, politics, and alien species with their own unique cultures and motives.
Some of the best 2020 science fiction books include 'The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water' by Zen Cho. It has an interesting blend of Asian mythology and science fiction concepts. Also, 'Remote Control' by Nnedi Okorafor is really good. It's about a girl with special powers in a post - apocalyptic African setting. There were many others, but these are worth checking out.
Definitely 'The Collapsing Empire'. It's a page - turner. You'll be quickly drawn into the story of the crumbling galactic empire. The characters are well - developed, and the plot keeps you guessing as to how they'll deal with the impending doom of their travel network.
I think 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is one of the most read. It has a really cool cyberpunk setting, with a virtual reality metaverse and a post - apocalyptic world outside of it. The main character, Hiro Protagonist, has to navigate this strange world filled with hackers, corporations, and various threats. Another popular one is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It has a frame - story structure and tells the tales of different pilgrims on a journey to a mysterious place called Hyperion, with each story being unique and full of mystery.