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 5 September 2011) 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 5 September 2011) 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 18 December 2011)
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 30 December 2011)
The update of the Top 200 book list in mid-June 2011 shows a trio of superb novels bubbling under the pack.
Currently sitting at #208 and steadily climbing, Cory Doctorow's Little Brother is an action-packed story of techno-geek rebellion. The title is a clever take on George Orwell's 'Big Brother' concept - only this time its terrorism at the heart of things.
Although resistant to the 'sci-fi' tag, with Oryx and Crake Margaret Atwood pens a compelling near-future tale of bio-madness. The book has jumped an amazing 30 places to #226 on the list, setting up a remarkable storm-surge into the Top 200.
Paolo Bacigalupi's multi-award winning The Windup Girl has jumped 10 places into #232, with its recent 2009 publication date pointing to an almost certain entry into the main list. A biopunk tale of corporate profits, terrorism and post-human evolution.
One of sci-fi's most troubled writers - Philip K Dick also rates highly amongst the genre's most enduring authors.
In questioning reality, Dick broke new ground with the novel Time Out of Joint (1959). While his money troubles, frequent divorces, psychoses and drug use would continue to dog him - Dick still managed to produce sci-fi classics the ilk of The Man in the High Castle (1962) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968), and Ubik (1969).
As a campus favourite for his left-wing politics, before his death in 1982 Dick perpetuated his cutting-edge reputation with two of his better later novels - A Scanner Darkly (1977) and VALIS (1981).
Oxford Dictionary
Brave New Words Edited by Jeff Prucher 2007 (Oxford)
2011 Awards - Novels The Top Performers *********************** Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis Wins: Hugo, Nebula, Locus Shortlists: Campbell, SF Site #7
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With a dearth of sci-fi reference books on the market, it is refreshing to find one that is both fun and informative.
Editor Jeff Prucher left no stone unturned in collecting a staggering array of source materials on which to base the definitions in this book. These include not only sci-fi sources such as books and magazines - but also mainstream publications, fanzines, screenplays, newspapers, comics, film, songs and the Internet.
The real delight is that - far from being a dry academic work - this dictionary is a load of fun to read. It is plainly obvious that Prucher has a keen understanding of sci-fi fandom and all its cosmically warped idiosyncrasies.
A deserved winner of a 2008 Hugo Award, definitions are exhaustingly referenced, in the process making this a valuable historical work. As an academic reference book or just a plain fun read - this one is a winner.
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The Dervish House by Ian McDonald Wins: Campbell, British SF, SF Site Shortlists: Hugo, Clarke, Locus #3
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Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold Shortlists: Hugo, Locus #3, SF Site #8 (tie)
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Surface Detail by Iain M Banks Shortlists: Locus #4, SF Site #4
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Feed by Mira Grant Shortlists: Hugo, Locus #7, Shirley Jackson
