Listmania!
Getting Started in Science Fiction
By an Amazon.com customer
Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition (Dune Chronicles, Book 1)Dune, 40th Anniversary Edition (Dune Chronicles, Book 1) by Frank Herbert
Buy new: $11.56 / Used from: $5.68
This is the book that got me hooked on Science Fiction. The entire series is good.
FoundationFoundation by Isaac Asimov
Buy new: $16.32 / Used from: $6.92
Another series that is a must read for sci-fi fans.
Foundation and EarthFoundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.95
Forward the Foundation (Foundation Novels)Forward the Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Foundation and Empire (Foundation Novels)Foundation and Empire (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Second Foundation (Foundation Novels)Second Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.10
SpinSpin by Robert Charles Wilson
Buy used from: $4.61
Rich characters. Great plot. Keeps you going throughout.
A Fire Upon The Deep (Zones of Thought)A Fire Upon The Deep (Zones of Thought) by Vernor Vinge
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Deep space saga is one of my all-time favs.
A Deepness in the Sky (Zones of Thought)A Deepness in the Sky (Zones of Thought) by Vernor Vinge
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Another great deep space saga by Vinge.
Speaker for the Dead (Ender, Book 2)Speaker for the Dead (Ender, Book 2) by Orson Scott Card
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Along with Vinge's deep space books, this is the only other book I've found that's near the quality of Dune.
Ender's Game (The Ender saga)Ender's Game (The Ender saga) by Orson Scott Card
Buy used from: $2.86
Must read.
Rendezvous with RamaRendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Really get's your imagination going.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $2.20
NeuromancerNeuromancer by William Gibson
Buy new: $15.75 / Used from: $12.55
Pretty difficult read, but it'll introduce you to the 'cyberpunk' genre he created (and you'll find out where the movie The Matrix came from).
Farenheit 451Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Buy used from: $7.11
A good Sociology study with Sci Fi setting.
Stranger in a Strange LandStranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
Buy new: $11.02 / Used from: $4.93
I hesitate to recommend this, but I have to. You've got to at least sample Heinlein, and this is the one to try.
Probability MoonProbability Moon by Nancy Kress
Buy new: $10.17
Probability Sun (The Probability Trilogy)Probability Sun (The Probability Trilogy) by Nancy Kress
Buy used from: $1.87
Probability Space (The Probability Trilogy)Probability Space (The Probability Trilogy) by Nancy Kress
Buy used from: $5.70
Beggars in SpainBeggars in Spain by Nancy Kress
Buy used from: $5.68
Some great sci-fi concepts here.
ChindiChindi by Jack McDevitt
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Great deep space thriller, action.