Some books are 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells. It was one of the first to really explore the idea of time travel in a science - fiction context. 'The War of the Worlds' by the same author is also amazing, depicting an alien invasion in a very vivid way. Also, 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is a great choice. It explores gender and society in a unique alien world.
Definitely 'Ringworld' by Larry Niven. It has a really cool concept of a giant ring - shaped world orbiting a star. 'Stranger in a Strange Land' by Robert A. Heinlein is also very interesting, dealing with a human raised by Martians and his return to Earth. And 'Childhood's End' by Arthur C. Clarke is a thought - provoking book about the end of humanity as we know it and the next stage of evolution.
The books in this list may also show the anxieties of the era. With the Cold War going on, there could be themes related to the fear of nuclear war or the power struggles between different superpowers. At the same time, they might be exploring new ideas in biology and medicine as science was advancing in those fields at that time. For instance, some books could be speculating about genetic engineering or new ways of treating diseases in a science - fiction context.
Some well - known books from 2015 science fiction lists might include 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's a great story about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his struggle to survive. Another could be 'Ancillary Justice' by Ann Leckie, which features a complex universe and unique characters.
Well, 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is really good. It combines elements of cyberpunk and post - apocalyptic worlds, with a unique take on virtual reality. 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is another must - read. It has a complex narrative structure and tells the stories of different pilgrims on a journey to a mysterious place. And don't forget 'Starship Troopers' by Robert A. Heinlein. It gives a different perspective on military life in a future where humans are fighting bugs from outer space.
I'm not sure which ones are the most popular exactly, but 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is often highly regarded. It's set in a future where the world has been transformed by a new form of technology and virtual reality, and it has a really unique and engaging plot.
Another popular one might be 'The Uplift War' by David Brin. It's part of a series and in 1989 it was attracting a lot of attention for its unique take on the evolution of intelligent species and the politics between them.
I'm not entirely sure which ones were the most popular, but 'Doomsday Book' was widely talked about. It had an interesting premise of time - traveling historians.
The 'The Handmaid's Tale' is influential in a different way. It has made people think more deeply about social and political issues in the context of a possible future. It has also influenced the way we view dystopian literature and how it can be used as a warning about the direction our society could take if certain trends continue.
Another popular one could be 'The Uplift War'. It was part of a well - known series and had a lot of fans who were into the idea of the uplift concept, where lower species are 'uplifted' to sentience by higher ones. It had exciting battles and interesting alien species interactions.
'Gateway' is also very popular. Its exploration of human nature in the face of the unknown, along with the unique setting of the alien space station, has attracted a large number of readers. People are drawn to the mystery of the ships and the potential for discovery, as well as the well - developed characters.
In my opinion, 'Stranger in a Strange Land' was very influential. Its ideas about different cultures and social norms challenged the readers' thinking at that time and had a long - lasting impact on the science - fiction genre.