In addition, 'All the Birds in the Sky' by Charlie Jane Anders was popular. It's a blend of science fiction and fantasy elements. It tells the story of two people with different powers, one more science - based and the other more magic - based, and how their lives intersect in a world that's changing.
I think 'Ninefox Gambit' was quite popular. It got a lot of attention for its fresh take on military science fiction concepts.
'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.
'Wool' by Hugh Howey was quite popular too. It's set in a post - apocalyptic silo, and the mystery and the characters' struggles within that confined space were really engaging for readers. The story gradually unfolds, revealing more about the world outside the silo as it progresses, which kept readers hooked.
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.
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.
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.
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 sure which were the most popular exactly, but 'The Graveyard Book' was widely loved. It won the Newbery Medal. Its blend of fantasy and science fiction elements, along with its engaging characters, made it a hit.
A very popular one is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. This book presents a future society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned from birth to fit into a specific caste system. It's a thought - provoking look at the potential consequences of scientific and technological advancements on human nature and society. There are many interesting discussions around topics like happiness, freedom, and individuality in the context of this fictional world.
I think 'The Collapsing Empire' was quite popular. It got a lot of attention for its unique story and engaging characters.
Probably 'Snow Crash' is also popular. It was quite ahead of its time with its ideas about virtual worlds and the future of society. It combines cyberpunk elements with a really engaging story, which made it a hit among science fiction readers in 1999 and still remains popular today. The unique language and the fast - paced plot make it stand out in the list of 1999 science fiction books.
I'd say 'Foundation's Edge' is quite popular. Asimov was already a big name in science fiction, and this addition to the Foundation series was eagerly awaited. It expanded on the already rich universe he had created, with more political intrigue and scientific ideas.