list of 1980s science fiction books

'Contact' by Carl Sagan was also very popular. It was a thought - provoking story about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The movie adaptation also helped to boost its popularity. It delved into scientific concepts as well as human emotions when faced with the possibility of first contact.

They tend to have more diverse characters and storylines. There are stories that involve different cultures and genders in leading roles. Take 'Ancillary Justice' for instance. It has a unique take on identity and consciousness. And they usually have really detailed world - building, creating entire universes with their own rules and cultures.

Some popular ones are 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his struggle to survive. Another is 'Ancillary Justice' by Ann Leckie. It has a really unique take on identity and empire in a far - flung galactic setting.

The books in this list may also show the anxieties of the era. With the Cold War going on, there could be themes related to the fear of nuclear war or the power struggles between different superpowers. At the same time, they might be exploring new ideas in biology and medicine as science was advancing in those fields at that time. For instance, some books could be speculating about genetic engineering or new ways of treating diseases in a science - fiction context.

Well, '2001: A Space Odyssey' was already quite well - known from the movie, but the book was also very popular among science fiction fans in the 1980s. Its exploration of human - machine interaction and the mystery of the monoliths was fascinating. 'The Uplift War' was also popular as it had a great mix of adventure, politics, and alien species with their own unique cultures and motives.

Some well - known books from 2015 science fiction lists might include 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's a great story about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his struggle to survive. Another could be 'Ancillary Justice' by Ann Leckie, which features a complex universe and unique characters.

The 'Foundation' series by Isaac Asimov is among the best. It's about a mathematician who predicts the fall of a galactic empire and tries to shorten the dark age that will follow. 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is also excellent. It follows a young boy, Ender, who is trained to fight in a future inter - species war. And 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is a great cyberpunk novel that combines elements of virtual reality, linguistics, and corporate power.

Some great science fiction books are 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It's set in a far - future universe with complex politics and a desert planet. Another is '1984' by George Orwell. Although it's more of a dystopian novel, it has strong sci - fi elements. And 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley also challenges the way we think about society in a science - fictional context.

'Ready Player One' is also very popular. The idea of a virtual reality world filled with pop - culture references appealed to a wide audience, both young and old. It's a fun adventure story that also has some deeper themes about the future of society.

One of the books could be 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov. It's famous for its grand scope of a galactic empire in decline and the use of psychohistory to predict the future. Also, 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley might be on the list. It presents a future society where people are engineered and conditioned for specific roles, exploring themes of free will and social control.