SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I've recently revisited Asimov's Foundation and Robot series and fell in love all over again with the series. So I was wondering what other people felt were the best sci-fi/fantasy books or series ever written. Obviously, the Foundation and Robot series tops my sci-fi list. I'm staying true to classics for my choice of fantasy, The Lord of the Rings.

Kevan wrote: "I'm with you!

Asimov's Foundation & Robot series tops my Sci Fi list too (the first Dune book being a close second). LOTR + Hobbit are way ahead of any other fantasy for me, new or old. But no fan..."

I definitely second the Dune series as a close second. Great books.

Foundation series is definitely my favourite series too. Glad to see others liking it as much as I do.
I was a bit bummed to see that Asimov could write the series only till half of the 1000 year period. Think the story has been expanded upon by other writers, but I couldn't bring myself to read those books...

The Dark Tower is another notable series I have read and liked. Though not hardcore SF/Fantasy, it definitely has a lot of elements from the genre.

Pratik wrote: "Foundation series is definitely my favourite series too. Glad to see others liking it as much as I do.
I was a bit bummed to see that Asimov could write the series only till half of the 1000 year p..."

I saw that others picked it up but I can't bring myself to read them as well. I did enjoy how Asimov tied the Foundation series into the Robot series with Foundation and Earth and the Prelude Foundation books. I kind of like the idea of Daneel looking over us mere humans. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read any of King's books. I may give Dark Tower a chance.

Chip wrote: "Pratik wrote: "Foundation series is definitely..."

From what I've read online, the original Foundation Trilogy books were among his first few books and the latter installments were written towards the end of his writing career. And he tied up everything he wrote in between in the same universe.
Nemesis tells the story of development of FTL travel; The End of Eternity outlines the formation of Galactic Empire; The Empire series of books are also there.

Dark Tower books are not the best place to start reading King.
Better start with The Shining, Salem's Lot, It and The Stand.
Like the Foundation series, King has also tied up the Dark Tower books with rest of his novels.

I'd put in a vote for Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series.

Pratik wrote: "Chip wrote: "Pratik wrote: "Foundation series is definitely..."

From what I've read online, the original Foundation Trilogy books were among his first few books and the latter installments were wr..."
You can definitely tell the first Foundation books and the Caves of Steel were written in the 1950s. The role women played in society was right out of the Flintstones. Between that and the prevalent smoking was a wonderful trip back in time. Ironic when it was a book set in the far future. So it is amazing that the books were such great science fiction.

I have read Nemesis, but not The End of Eternity. Nemesis is actually mentioned in (I believe) the Prelude to Foundation books but it may have been the later Robot stories. I'm reading them in the chronological order as they would fall in Galactic History, so I've had an interesting insight into Asimov's developments.

Margaret wrote: "I'd put in a vote for Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series."

I have not heard of Bujold, but from looking at her author's page, I think I've missed out. Thanks for the rec.

Since others have mentioned Dune, I'll put in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, and David Brin's Uplift series. I don't think that I could pick between them.

Fantasy-Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Jen wrote: "Since others have mentioned Dune, I'll put in..."

Yes, Hyperion Cantos is definitely worth mentioning.
I've only read the first two books though.
How do the other two compare with the first and second?
I've heard that the narrative is more linear and simpler.

Jen wrote: "Since others have mentioned Dune, I'll put in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, and David Brin's Uplift series. I don't think that I could pick between them.

Fantasy-Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chroni..."

I think many people would have to disagree with you with Thomas Covenant, but I love the series, glad the end is coming on Tuesday.

I think many people would have to disagree with you with Thomas Covenant

You certainly don't find many people who are lukewarm about it :-) I'm very happy about the last book- I bought Lord Foul's Bane the week after it was released, so it's been a long haul.


I'm re-reading the Last Chronicles now so I'll be immersed in it again before I hit The Last Dark. They're definitely not happy go lucky books, that's for sure.

Jen wrote: "Since others have mentioned Dune, I'll put in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, and David Brin's Uplift series. I don't think that I could pick between them.

Fantasy-Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chroni..."

I had forgotten about Thomas. Good reads.

I'm with you on Lord of the Rings on the fantasy side. No other series of books has affected me so much.

On Asimov, I'm not sure. Although the original trilogy was very good (Second Foundation blew my mind, the quality of the books seems to be decreasing. I get the same feeling that his Robot series will do the same. I've read Foundation's Edge and The Robots of Dawn, and both left me feeling disappointed.

This is all relative to the previous books, though -- both books mentioned above are definitely not duds; I don't think it's physically possible for Asimov to write a dud.

I feel like I haven't read enough science fiction to judge, yet. The same may hold true to fantasy as well, but I doubt that.

I question the premise of the thread. I do not think that the "greatest" or "best" series exists. Such vague terms should be defined, otherwise they are meaningless.

Series that have affected me the most:
Lord of the Rings
Hyperion Cantos
A Song of Ice and Fire
Harry Potter (I read it when I was younger)

This thread's title is just going to invite people to list personal favorites, which others will disagree with, since one man's trash is another's treasure. It's next to impossible to define "best" in art. You might be able to make a strong argument for something being "most influential" since you can trace a work's impact, but "greatest" is just a matter of opinion.

When people look for best books they often look at novels but there are some superb short story collections out there that offer hugely rewarding reading experiences whether it is:-
The Best of Gene Wolfe: A Definitive Retrospective of His Finest Short Fiction
At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories
Modern Classic Short Novels of Science Fiction
Casey Agonistes and Other Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories
The Wind's Twelve Quarters

Some personal favorites that are not in usual top 100 sf/fantasy lists include:-

The Drowning Girl
Some Kind Of Fairy Tale
The Demon Princes, Volume One: The Star King, The Killing Machine, The Palace of Love
Starhiker: A novel
The Worm Ouroboros
Physiognomy
The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set

Nothing compares with Frank Herbert's Dune series.
The best fantasy series is "Malazan Book of the Fallen" (Gardens of the Moon is the first book of the series), by Steven Erikson
Another great series is The Black Company by Glen Cook.
And, of course, everybody knows about George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire".

Baelor wrote: "I question the premise of the thread. I do not think that the "greatest" or "best" series exists. Such vague terms should be defined, otherwise they are meaningless.

Series that have affected me..."

The question was meant to be taken solely as a personal opinion. For example, it is the first book or series that pops into your head when someone asks for a recommendation in that genre. With the wealth of literature in both genres, trying to pin down the greatest ever written is impossible.

Ben wrote: "When people look for best books they often look at novels but there are some superb short story collections out there that offer hugely rewarding reading experiences whether it is:-
The Best of Gen..."

Thanks for the reminder of the short story option as well. Some of my earliest memories of sci-fi are from reading stories in the magazine Omni.

Trike wrote: "This thread's title is just going to invite people to list personal favorites, which others will disagree with, since one man's trash is another's treasure. It's next to impossible to define "best"..."

Inviting people to list their favorites was the core premise of this thread. If an author can inspire a reader to come back to his or her tale time and time again, then they have succeeded as a writer. In my opinion, all a classic work of literature is, is a story that people like from generation to generation.

Jonathan wrote: "I'm with you on Lord of the Rings on the fantasy side. No other series of books has affected me so much.

On Asimov, I'm not sure. Although the original trilogy was very good (Second Foundation ble..."

One of the things I have enjoyed with the Asimov series is how the social mores in his books evolved as the social mores in America changed during his lifetime. His first books placed women as homemakers whereas his later works had women playing prominent roles.

I'm with you on one account. I need to read a lot more science fiction.

Kevan wrote: "Pratik wrote: "... but I couldn't bring myself to read those books..."

As a student, I used to worship Asimov. So, after he died and others extended his stories, I plunged into them, only to step ..."

Outside of the Robert Jordan series where he prepped people to carry on his work, I agree that when the author dies, the series should as well. Nobody can carry on the lives of characters other than the person who created them.

Lord of the Rings for Fantasy definitely.

Sci-fi sereis? Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, maybe... I don't read a lot of straight up sci-fi, and am the odd one out in that I didn't really love the Foundation series (enjoyed the first 3-4 books just fine, but then felt like it took a turn downhill... same with the Dune series).

Maybe the Star Wars series (pretty much all of them, though Timothy Zahn's are my favs) (I know they're more "space opera" than sci-fi... but they'd definitely top my list if they're allowed in the sci-fi category :)

Jenelle wrote: "Lord of the Rings for Fantasy definitely.

Sci-fi sereis? Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, maybe... I don't read a lot of straight up sci-fi, and am the odd one out in that I didn't really love th..."
I'm the type who either likes a book, or likes a movie. It is rare that I switch between them. Although one of my students begged me to read the Bounty Hunter series in the Star Wars universe and I enjoyed them. I may need to give them another chance. Thanks for the input.

Hi, I'll join in here with the general chorus that LotR and Hobbit are the best fantasy (by far). I suspect that not very many fantasy novels would have been written if not for Tolkien defining the genre. Yes, I know that there were fantasy books before Tolkien, including some that he read and loved, but the field burgeoned after Tolkien wrote.
I haven't read nearly as much scifi. Asimov's Foundation is great, yes. This is a probably a quirky suggestion, and they are written more for teens than adults, but what do people think of Andre Norton's old Time Traders and Galactic Derelict?

Most people have mentioned Lord of the Rings and the Dune series. I'll add: the Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green, for being an over the top space opera. And one of my favorite in fantasy, The Justicar series, starting with White Plume Mountain. It's just a fun read.

John wrote: "Hi, I'll join in here with the general chorus that LotR and Hobbit are the best fantasy (by far). I suspect that not very many fantasy novels would have been written if not for Tolkien defining th..."

I have not read either. I spend most of my time in fantasy. I did read some of Norton's work which I believe was the Witch World series. It's been a long time ago, so I may very well be wrong.

Sabrina wrote: "Most people have mentioned Lord of the Rings and the Dune series. I'll add: the Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green, for being an over the top space opera. And one of my favorite in fantasy, Th..."
I loved the Deathstalker series. Great choice. I haven't read the Justicar series. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chip wrote: I loved the Deathstalker series. Great choice. I haven't read the Justicar series. Thanks for the suggestion.

Let me know what you think! I don't think I've ever come across anyone else who has read it.

I'm one of those heretics who doesn't think LotR is the greatest ever. Definitely one of the most influential and it certainly had the top spot for many decades. It perhaps is perceived by many readers as the most influential, but a lot of the current Epic Fantasy people love today is probably more influenced by Jack Vance's Lyonesse (which is older than Tolkien and better-written) and Zelazny's Amber series as well Moorcock's Elric stories. In the relatively recent past Howard's Conan and Lieber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser were ascendant, and I see that style of story coming back around again.

So in terms of greatest, these should all be considered and definitely read if you're interested in how we got The Black Company or Malazan or Locke Lamora.

For me, the greatest Fantasy series (although it's often called SF) is the original Dragonriders of Pern trilogy by Anne McCaffrey. This, for me, is the proper way to do Science Fantasy, and is one of the earlier examples of "Fantasy With Rules" stories that has led to the subgenre of Hard Fantasy.

A friend of mine keeps raving on about The Clan of the Cave Bear series. Has anyone on here read it?

I know Orson Scott Card is anathema these days, but I still think that the Speaker Series and Shadow Series (which should merge back into one series with the final book) is the best in Scifi. Can't wait for the Ender's Game movie!

Travis wrote: "I know Orson Scott Card is anathema these days, but I still think that the Speaker Series and Shadow Series (which should merge back into one series with the final book) is the best in Scifi. Can't..."

I don't know why I always forget that this is sci-fi... LOL Definitely up there in the best sci-fi I've ever read. (I prefer the Shadow series to the Speaker series... which may be why I forget it's sci-fi, as it all mostly takes place on Earth)

And I'm super excited about the movie, too! :)

Steph wrote: "A friend of mine keeps raving on about The Clan of the Cave Bear series. Has anyone on here read it?"

I've heard of it too, Steph, but I just keep thinking of the 1986 movie with Daryl Hannah and can't bring myself to read it, lol.

I'd have to agree with the inability to define 'greatest' just based on time the book was written, one of many ways to judge a books merit:

Fantasy - 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' - S. Erikson
- 'Game of Thrones' - GRRM
- really hard to leave Sanderson out but he's got so many amazing... 'Way of Kings'
Sci-Fi - 'Pandora's Star' - P. Hamilton
- 'Altered Carbon' - R. Morgan
- 'Vorkosigan' - L. Bujold

*These are my personal favorites that probably would never have been made without books/authors I also place as classics like 'Dune', 'Ender', Tolkien, Goodkind, P. Dick, Heinlein but I'll go with more recent books I love built on the shoulders of giants.

Isn't there a discussion board or folder for people to plug they're book? & to do it in a thread of GREATEST of all time of the genre's??

Gordon wrote: "Isn't there a discussion board or folder for people to plug they're book? & to do it in a thread of GREATEST of all time of the genre's??
..."

Yeah... pretty gutsy, actually... LOL

"You had to admire a guy who called his own new book a classic before it was published and anyone else had a chance to read it." ~ William Goldman, The Princess Bride

Steph wrote: "A friend of mine keeps raving on about The Clan of the Cave Bear series. Has anyone on here read it?"

I read the first one and made the mistake of watching the moving. Neither did much for me.

Jenelle wrote: "Travis wrote: "I know Orson Scott Card is anathema these days, but I still think that the Speaker Series and Shadow Series (which should merge back into one series with the final book) is the best ..."
Don't forget about the Alvin Maker (it's been a while since I read them, so I make be wrong about the series) Regardless of his political views, Card is a good writer.

Jenelle wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Isn't there a discussion board or folder for people to plug they're book? & to do it in a thread of GREATEST of all time of the genre's??
..."

Yeah... pretty gutsy, actually... ..."

Well, I was going to list the Chronicles of Chip Putnam as the greatest fantasy ever written, but I should probably write the thing first.

Gordon wrote: "I'd have to agree with the inability to define 'greatest' just based on time the book was written, one of many ways to judge a books merit:

Fantasy - 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' - S. Erikson
..."
We should start a thread labeled "Shameless plugs by authors"

Trike wrote: "I'm one of those heretics who doesn't think LotR is the greatest ever. Definitely one of the most influential and it certainly had the top spot for many decades. It perhaps is perceived by many rea..."
I had forgotten about the Grey Mouse. Great collection of short stories although I've lost my copies of them. Pratchett actually spoofs them in either his first or second Discworld books. I felt that Dragon Riders was one of the few books that could legitimately fall into both the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Chip wrote: "Well, I was going to list the Chronicles of Chip Putnam as the greatest fantasy ever written, but I should probably write the thing first. "

I've met Chip Putnam and you are no Chip Putnam.

(Raise your hand if you're enough to get that. Now put your hand down. You look silly doing that in your family room and you're confusing the dog.)

Trike wrote: "Chip wrote: "Well, I was going to list the Chronicles of Chip Putnam as the greatest fantasy ever written, but I should probably write the thing first. "

I've met Chip Putnam and you are no Chip P..."

Too funny, and yes I do get the reference.

Steph wrote: "A friend of mine keeps raving on about The Clan of the Cave Bear series. Has anyone on here read it?"

The first book is a pretty good read. But I found that they went downhill pretty quickly after that- at least to my taste the romance/soap opera aspects got a bit much, and the main character is oddly perfect and brilliant. The number of things that she invents or discovers is truly astounding, to the point where it becomes funny- I was half-expecting her to have computers up and running in a few days by the end of the series. I do know some people who love them, but at least for me, I kept reading out of stubbornness, and for the train-wreck factor.

If anyone is at all interested in Neanderthals, Robert J. Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax series (https://www.goodreads.com/series/4082...) is wonderful- even given that it's an 'alternate worlds colliding' storyline, I found it much easier to suspend my disbelief than I did with Earth's Children.

I'm with Trike - whilst I loved (and have re-read) LotR, I don't think it was the greatest but it was definitely the most influential. It set a bar which I think other authors/books have since surpassed.

R.J. wrote: "Gorden wrote: "Isn't there a discussion board or folder for people to plug they're book? & to do it in a thread of GREATEST of all time of the genre's??"

Hi all,

While I am an author, I am still ..."

R.J. I apologize if you felt "jumped on." I cannot speak for the others, but I, personally, was not at all bothered by your post (though many in the goodreads community do get quite easily offended when they see anyone post anything on the boards about their own works or the fact that they're an author... which is why I do try to keep my head down on that count). I think it's awesome that you wrote a book you wanted to read. I think for authors, if we were all honest, that's what many of us attempt to do, but are too shy or scared to admit that our favorite book is the one we've written.

I think probably where you maybe could have "walked softer" was instead of turning it into a sales pitch and mentioning that nobody on goodreads has read the book, you could have simply kept it to why YOU enjoy the story. That may have been a better way to keep your comment from coming across as "spammy."

Again, I apologize for adding to you getting slammed. (I simply love any opportunity to put a well-placed Princess Bride quote...) :)

If you like fantasy, you definitely should read Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit at some point. As in most cases, the books are far better than the movies (and I do love the movies).

The point is not 'slamming' anyone?!? There are plenty of authors in this & every other discussion & I applaud all their efforts & I have read many GR authored 'indie' books or whatever title is the correct one labeling a book.

The point is that in this particular discussion every book or author needs little or no explanation why they are on the list, yes there are Authors I've never read, 99% I've heard of & ones I haven't it's phrased 'check it out its a good read' not 'please read my book because it's the best' I would question ur heart as a writer if u didn't think u were writing ur best, BUT this is not the 1st thread u replied in a similar, not adding an opinion regarding the thread besides ur book, I just think if u mentioned something regarding the thread then put ur book in, it wouldn't come off so much like a plug.

I asked u in another thread about favorite characters, well did u have any influences or character u liked? & u answered no, ur book is written from 'us readers' or something like that, really? U don't read as an author? U have no likes or dislikes or influences? It's like me goin into my profession & saying I didnt learn anything from my textbooks or teachers, the opinions around me taught me.. From a clinical perspective that takes time & u base ur clinical experience off a base of knowledge...

Whatever, I apologize if u think I'm slamming u but it bothers me because it's strange for an author not to have ANY influences or likes. The thread isn't about this (hence my ques) so I stop. I don't care if no one else does

** I was using my Iphone hit send so had 2 messages, combined them erased the last one, sry **

R.J, there are a lot of really well written articles on etiquette/self-promotion for authors. A quick Google search will put you on right track.