One characteristic is their creativity. For example, they often create unique worlds, like the far - future settings in many of these books. These worlds might have different laws of physics or social structures.
One that can't be missed is 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It's set in a future where the virtual and physical worlds are deeply intertwined. It's full of action, interesting concepts about language and power in the digital age. There are also many other great ones like 'Starship Troopers' which explores military life in a science - fiction setting.
Another popular one could be 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. It's a hilarious and mind - bending adventure through the galaxy, full of strange creatures and absurd situations. It has been extremely popular for decades and has introduced a lot of readers to the joys of science fiction.
Some of the 'ny times best books 2020 fiction' include 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett. It's a story that explores themes of race, identity, and family through the lives of twin sisters. Another one could be 'A Burning' by Megha Majumdar which delves into complex social and political issues in India.
I think 'Go Set a Watchman' by Harper Lee was also on that list. It's a controversial novel as it presented a different view of the characters from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. It shows the main character, Scout, as an adult, returning to her hometown and facing the racial and social issues in a new light.
Some of the books on the 'NY Times Best Books 2021 Fiction' list include 'The Prophets' by Robert Jones, Jr. It's a powerful novel that delves deep into the lives of two enslaved men on a plantation. Another notable one could be 'Matrix' by Lauren Groff, which reimagines the life of a 12th - century nun.
I'm not sure of all the books on the list, but 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt is likely on there. It's a long and complex novel that follows the life of a young boy who survives a terrorist attack at an art museum. The story is filled with themes of loss, art, and coming - of - age.
Some of the books on the list might include 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful novel that uses a fictionalized version of the Underground Railroad as a framework to explore themes of slavery, race, and freedom in America.
I'm not sure of all the titles specifically, but often in 2016, science fiction novels that explored post - apocalyptic scenarios or advanced technological concepts were popular. For example, books that delved into artificial intelligence and its implications on society might have been among the best - sellers.