Neal Stephenson's 'Snow Crash' is also great. It combines cyberpunk elements with a vividly imagined future society, full of action, interesting characters, and thought - provoking ideas about the power of information and virtual reality.
The 'Dune' series by Frank Herbert is also a classic in modern science fiction. It features a complex universe with different factions vying for power over the spice, a valuable resource. The books explore themes like ecology, religion, and politics in a really deep and engaging way.
I'd say 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a classic in modern sci - fi. Gibson's vision of a future where technology and humanity are intertwined in a complex cybernetic world was quite revolutionary at the time. It has influenced a whole generation of sci - fi writers.
One of the best modern day science fiction books is 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his fight for survival. Another great one is 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline, which takes readers on a virtual adventure through a world full of 80s pop - culture references. 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is also excellent, with its strange and mysterious world filled with unique creatures and phenomena.
Well, 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is also a top pick. It follows the story of a young boy named Ender who is trained to fight in a future war against an alien race. The book explores themes of leadership, morality, and the cost of war in a really engaging way.
I would also recommend 'Ancillary Justice' by Ann Leckie. It's a space - opera with a unique take on artificial intelligence. The main character was once a part of a spaceship's AI, and now she's on a quest for revenge. The world - building is very interesting, with a complex galactic society and different cultures.
I'd also recommend 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's a more accessible science fiction book that focuses on the survival of an astronaut stranded on Mars. The story is filled with scientific accuracy and the protagonist's determination and ingenuity are really inspiring.
Well, they laid the foundation. For example, the ideas in those 1950 books about space travel made modern sci - fi writers more eager to explore further concepts. The tech ideas, like in 'I, Robot', gave a base for more complex AI stories today.
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.
A good start would be 'Exhalation' by Ted Chiang. His stories are short and very accessible, yet they are full of interesting science - fiction ideas. 'Snow Crash' is also suitable. It has a lot of action and adventure, which can draw in new readers to the world of modern science fiction.