Need a last minute gift for a science fiction nut on your list? Here are the Top 10 Selling books in the genre for this Christmas season. This list does NOT include fantasy, video game spin-offs, or any part of the seemingly-endless rehashes of the Star Wars novels. Tolkein is fantasy folks, not science fiction.
“His Dark Materials” trilogy (AKA “The Golden Compass” trilogy) by Phillip Pullman. Already a bestselling series, the movie and the controversy around it have boosted the sales of this young adult classic (suitable for adults, too).
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy. McCarthy is one of a handful of Scottish science fiction writers, who is a purist in the “societal” subgenre. The Road” is a post-apocalypse tale, and made it amazingly into the Oprah Book Club list.
“I Am Legend” by Richard Mattheson. No science fiction library is complete without this dark, and poignant, tale of the last man on Earth fighting to survive loneliness – and what ever awaits him in the dark.
The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger. This one borders on fantasy, and is more of a romance novel with teeth and a science-fictional theme when a librarian gets swept into a time storm and thrown throughout history.
Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. Yes, kids, this capitalist manifesto IS science fiction, as it is what has become to be called a story of “alternate history” that just happens to tackle some tough topics and themes, a mainstay of the great sci-fi writers.
A War of Gifts” by Orson Scott Card. Another installment in the annals of Ender Wiggin from Card, “A War of Gifts” is a tale of one of the many side characters originally portrayed in the classic “Ender’s Game.” Once again, Mr. Card shows us that a book with a complex theme can be presented so readers of all ages can enjoy.
“Spook Country” by William Gibson. Gibson is the father of edgy, culturally-relevant science fiction. In his latest work, he thrusts us into the shady underworld of the near-future (present?) of identity theft, espionage, and the dark underbelly of society that froths near the edge of overwhelming all of us.
“The Complete Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. Deceased Adams’ work involving the hapless last human being shuttled, shunted, and blasted all over the galaxy, all the while maintaining a firm grasp on his towel. Hilarious, irreverent, and fit for older teens and adults due to some of its more suggestive content.
1984″ by George Orwell. Well – look at that! A novel that should be required reading throughout the world, and has been banned in totalitarian cultures since its original publication is on the list this year! NO science fiction library is complete without this one – and no library of a thinking person who enjoys freedom of thought.
Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card wraps up the list. Deceptively easy to read, “Ender’s Game tackles the difficult subject of using children as weapons, and looks hard at war and the breakdown in communications that can lead to the all-out destruction of an enemy, at any cost.
And that wraps up the book suggestions for this gift-giving season for your science fiction reader. You might want to look over their shelves first, several of these are classics and suggested reading for ANY fan of the genre.
