A very good non - English science fiction book is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. Wait, sorry, that's in English. Well, then 'Hard - Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World' by Haruki Murakami. It has elements of science fiction with its strange parallel worlds and mind - bending concepts that are very unique.
In addition, 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is a classic, but again, in English. So instead, 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess has some science - fiction - like elements in its dystopian setting. The language used is very inventive and the story of a violent future society is both disturbing and thought - provoking.
One great non - English science fiction book is 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It presents a complex and fascinating view of the universe, with alien civilizations and scientific concepts that are both mind - boggling and thought - provoking.
Some of the best English science fiction books include '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over people. Another great one is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which explores a society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for their roles. 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is also highly regarded, with its complex world - building and political intrigue in a desert planet setting.
Well, one characteristic is the exploration of future societies. For example, in '1984', it shows a totalitarian future. Another is the use of advanced technology concepts. In 'Dune', there are things like sandworms and spice which are unique technological - like elements. Also, they often question human nature. In 'Fahrenheit 451', it makes you think about the importance of knowledge and freedom.
Some of the best English historical fiction books include 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of the court of Henry VIII. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' which, while also a love story, gives a good look at the social mores of the early 19th - century England. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also excellent. It's set in a medieval monastery and is full of mystery and historical details.
For beginners, I'd recommend 'I, Robot' by Isaac Asimov. It consists of short stories that are easy to follow and introduce some basic ideas about robotics and artificial intelligence. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins can also be considered. Although it's more of a dystopian YA novel, it has elements of science fiction. Also, 'The Martian' by Andy Weir is a fun read, as it focuses on a man's struggle to survive on Mars.
Well, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is definitely among the best. It's a hilarious and absurd take on space travel and the universe. Then there's 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card. It tells the story of a child prodigy in a military - like space training program. Also, 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is a must - read. It's about a scientist who tries to shorten the period of darkness in a galactic empire's fall through the use of psychohistory.
Some of the best non - fiction books include 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' by Yuval Noah Harari. It offers a comprehensive look at the history of our species. Another great one is 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot, which tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and the impact of her cells on medical research. 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' by Susan Cain is also excellent as it explores introversion in a world that often values extroversion.
Another great non - fiction book is 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer. It follows the journey of Christopher McCandless who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness. The book not only tells his story but also makes the readers think about the relationship between man and nature, and the search for meaning in life.
One popular one is '1984' by George Orwell. It depicts a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over people's lives.
Some of the great science fiction books from 2017 could include 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting concept of an interstellar empire on the verge of collapse. Another might be 'Artemis' by Andy Weir, which takes place on a lunar colony and has a great story about a woman trying to make her mark in a unique environment.