Science Fiction Literature

Since I learned how to read, Science Fiction has been a staple in my book diet, Asimov being one of my earliest devourments. For me, good Sci Fi is the most engaging of literary types, stretching imagination to new limits, and challenging the human experience in yet unfounded situations. Unfortunately, I find the majority of Sci Fi is mediocre. So, in the interests of fostering the art, I submit below ten favorite Sci Fi novels.

There's a few confessions I have to get off my chest first... One, I don't care for Arthur C. Clarke. Although he writes well, it seems to me he doesn't know how to end a story, or at least his endings always leave me feeling unsated. For similar reason, I think Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, Herbert's Dune, and Miller's A Canticle for Leibowitz are over-rated.

OK, now that I've probably alienated half of sci-fi fandom, here's my top ten list:

Niven, Larry	Ringworld and Ringworld Engineers
Asimov, Isaac	Foundation Trilogy
Lewis, C.S.	Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength
Card, Orson Scott	Ender's Game
Heinlein, Robert A.	Tunnel in the Sky
Heinlein, Robert A.	Short story collections: The Menace from Earth and The Green Hills of Earth
Adams, Douglas	Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Laumer, Keith	The Complete Bolo
Asimov, Isaac	I, Robot
Huxley, Aldous	Brave New World

Classic Literature

I discovered the classics later in life (can anyone really appreciate this stuff in high school?). My teachers meant well, and they did a good job at introducing the classics, but for me reading Shakespeare for a paper or an exam is not the same as reading it for mere enjoyment. As I think about this category, I guess I'm using the term "classical" a bit loosely, as you'll notice some contemporary authors listed below. But one thing I know for certain: I've hardly scratched the surface when it comes to reading The Classics...

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor	The Brothers Karamazov
Forster, E.M.	Where Angels Fear to Tread
Shakespeare, William	Richard II (and sooo many others)
Tolkein, J.R.R.	Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Theroux, Paul	Mosquito Coast
Stevenson, Robert Lewis	Kidnapped
Dickens, Charles	Great Expectations
Dante	Inferno

Spiritual Literature

I am a Christian, and for those of you who must camp Christians, I am of the Evangelical persuasion, and a charismatic at that. Though I admit my theological convictions bias my reading preferences, you will notice several non-evangelical and many non-charismatic authors among my favorites.

Lewis, C.S.	The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters
Tozer, A.W.	The Pursuit After God
Crabb, Dr. Larry	Inside Out and Finding God
Snyder, Howard	The Problem with Wineskins and Community of the King
Green, Keith	No Compromise
a Kempis, Thomas	The Imitation of Christ
Brother Lawrence	Practicing the Presence of God
Watson, David	Called and Committed
Hession, Roy	The Calvary Road
Chambers, Oswald	My Utmost for His Highest (a daily reader)

If you're interested in reading 'Books for Beginners' or 'Intro to the Christian Faith' kind of stuff, my recommendations include:

Lewis, C.S.	Mere Christianity
Stott, John R.	Basic Christianity
McDowell, Josh	More Than a Carpenter
MacDonald, William	True Discipleship
Nee, Watchman	The Normal Christian Life
Packer, J.I.	Knowing God
White, John	When the Spirit Comes with Power
Blue, Ken	Authority to Heal

Last plug: if you're looking for a place to buy Christian books, I recommend Christian Book Distributors.