(For a more professional view, you might want to take a look at Gardner Dozois's
recommended SF reading list -- he's the multiple-award winning editor of Asimov's magazine.)
Aaronovitch, Ben (Paranormal London police unit series) Rivers of London (called Midnight Riot in the US) Moon Over Soho Whispers Under Ground Broken Homes Abraham, Daniel A Shadow in Summer A Betrayal in Winter An Autumn War The Price of Spring Addison, Katherine The Goblin Emperor (thoughtful fantasy, deserved its Hugo) [Same universe]: The Witness for the Dead The Grief of Stones Amis, Kingsley The Alteration (Alternate history) Bishop, Michael Brittle Innings (Also for baseball fans!) Brin, David The Postman series: Sundiver Startide Rising (best) The Uplift War Bujold, Lois McMaster (series) Shards of Honor Barrayar The Warriors Apprentice The Vor Game Brothers in Arms Mirror Dance Cetaganda Memory Komarr A Civil Campaign Diplomatic Immunity Captain Vorpatril's Alliance Fantasy: The Curse of Chalion Card, Orson Scott (series) Ender's Game Speaker for the Dead Xenocide (not as good but part of the series) Same universe, different POV: Ender's Shadow Shadow of the Hegemon Shadow Puppets Carriger, Gail (Steampunk paranormal romance series) Soulless Changeless Blameless Heartless Timeless Chambers, Becky A Psalm for the Wild-Built A Prayer for the Crown-Shy Corey, James S.A. (Series - classic space opera at its best) Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Effinger, George Alec (series) When Gravity Fails A Fire in the Sun The Exile Kiss Elliott, Kate (series) Jaran An Earthly Crown His Conquering Sword The Law of Becoming Flynn, Michael Eifelheim Gibson, William Neuromancer Haldeman, Joe The Forever War Kay, Guy Gavriel Tigana (long fantasy but good) Klune, TJ The House in the Cerulean Sea (thoughtful fantasy) LeGuin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness The Dispossessed Martin, George R.R. WildCards (multi-author series) non-series: Dying of the Light A Song of Fire and Ice (series -- fantasy, which I don't usually like but extremely well written) A Game of Thrones A Clash of Kings A Storm of Swords A Feast of Crows McCaffrey, Anne (dragon series) Dragonflight Dragonquest The White Dragon (series continues with several other books but imho they're not as good) McIntyre, Vonda Dreamsnake Milán, Victor The Cybernetic Samurai Moon, Elizabeth Heris Serrano series (space opera, female heroine): Hunting Party Sporting Chance Winning Colors Esmay Suiza series (continuation of Serrano series) Once a Hero Rules of Engagement Change of Command Against the Odds Niven, Larry Ringworld Nix, Garth (series) Sabriel Lirael Abhorsen Novik, Naomi (Temeraire series) His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire in UK/Australia) Throne of Jade Black Powder War Empire of Ivory Victory of Eagles Russell, Mary Doria The Sparrow Children of God (sequel) Shinn, Sharon (Samaria series but not all straight sequels) Archangel Jovah's Angel The Alleluia Files Angel-Seeker Shinn, Sharon (Elemental Blessings, fantasy series) Troubled Waters Royal Airs Jeweled Fire An Unquiet Land Whispering Wood Silverberg, Robert Lord Valentine's Castle (first of series) The World Inside Dying Inside Swendson, Shanna (High-quality chick lit romantic urban fantasy series) Enchanted, Inc. Once Upon Stilettos Damsel Under Stress Don't Hex With Texas Much Ado About Magic No Quest for the Wicked Kiss and Spell Turtledove, Harry Guns of the South (alternate history) Vinge, Joan (series) The Snow Queen The Summer Queen Vinge, Vernor A Fire Upon the Deep A Deepness in the Sky Walton, Jo Among Others Weber, David (series) On Basilisk Station Honor of the Queen A Short, Victorious War Field of Dishonor Flag in Exile Honor Among Enemies In Enemy Hands Echoes of Honor Ashes of Victory War of Honor Wells, Martha The Murderbot Diaries (must read, mix of novellas and novels): All Systems Red Artificial Condition Exit Strategy Fugitive Telemetry Network Effect System Collapse Willis, Connie Doomsday Book (alternate history) Blackout/All Clear (two-volume alternate history) Unnatural Causes (short stories) Passage (not pure sf but thought-provoking) Wilson, Robert Charles The Chronoliths Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn (St Germain series) Hotel Transylvania Blood Games The Palace Tempting Fate The Saint-Germain Chronicles Zelazny, Roger Nine Princes in Amber (first book of the great Amber series) non-series: Lord of Light
Asimov, Isaac The Foundation Trilogy I, Robot Bester, Alfred The Demolished Man Brunner, John Shockwave Rider Clarke, Arthur C. Rendezvous with Rama Clement, Hal Mission of Gravity Dick, Philip K. The Man in the High Castle Dickson, Gordon The Dorsai series Heinlein, Robert The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (also great juveniles: Space Cadet, Citizen of the Galaxy, Between Planets) Herbert, Frank Dune Miller, Walter A Canticle for Leibowitz Smith, E.E. "Doc" The Lensman series Stewart, Mary The Merlin series: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment van Vogt, A.E. Slan
Last updated March 13, 2014.