Science Fiction and Fantasy Must Reads (4222 books)

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If you love science fiction or fantasy novels, these should be on your list.

Related Lists of Note:
Best Alternate H*story [asterisk is here so this list isn't misclassified]
Best Dystopian and Post Apocalyptic Fiction
Best Epic Fantasy
Best Fantasy of the 21st Century
Best Science Fiction
Best Science Fiction of the 21st Century
Best Science Fiction of the 20th Century
Best Forgotten Science Fiction of the 20th Century
Best Science Fiction Fantasy Books
Best Space Opera
Best Urban Fantasy

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1	The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3) by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.55 avg rating — 747,820 ratings score: 78,353, and 793 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Dune (Dune, #1) by Frank Herbert 4.29 avg rating — 1,703,686 ratings score: 57,033, and 586 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.30 avg rating — 4,620,310 ratings score: 51,351, and 534 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1) by Orson Scott Card 4.31 avg rating — 1,502,227 ratings score: 51,237, and 525 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Harry Potter Series Box Set (Harry Potter, #1-7) by J.K. Rowling 4.73 avg rating — 306,272 ratings score: 44,377, and 455 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	1984 by George Orwell 4.21 avg rating — 5,745,513 ratings score: 40,290, and 421 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins 4.36 avg rating — 10,257,644 ratings score: 39,561, and 409 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin 4.45 avg rating — 2,811,459 ratings score: 36,639, and 381 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1) by Douglas Adams 4.22 avg rating — 2,073,032 ratings score: 36,138, and 382 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author) 4.52 avg rating — 1,117,204 ratings score: 34,403, and 355 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 3.97 avg rating — 2,981,056 ratings score: 26,529, and 281 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 3.98 avg rating — 2,149,227 ratings score: 25,375, and 271 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) by C.S. Lewis 4.24 avg rating — 3,223,462 ratings score: 24,309, and 260 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	American Gods (American Gods, #1) by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,003,884 ratings score: 23,227, and 248 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1) by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author) 4.66 avg rating — 722,789 ratings score: 21,218, and 222 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) by Philip Pullman 4.04 avg rating — 1,645,047 ratings score: 19,109, and 206 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Queen and the Tom by Ashley Scott (Goodreads Author) 4.67 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 18,496, and 185 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author) 4.48 avg rating — 1,074,778 ratings score: 17,836, and 189 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	I, Robot (Robot, #0.1) by Isaac Asimov 4.21 avg rating — 389,654 ratings score: 17,620, and 191 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master by K. Ritz (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 34,165 ratings score: 17,453, and 188 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, #1) by Robert Jordan 4.19 avg rating — 612,490 ratings score: 17,149, and 181 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1) by Robin Hobb (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 442,803 ratings score: 16,769, and 183 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov 4.17 avg rating — 614,408 ratings score: 16,452, and 179 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 358,620 ratings score: 16,024, and 176 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Princess Bride by William Goldman 4.27 avg rating — 962,863 ratings score: 15,785, and 172 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Giver (Giver, #1) by Lois Lowry (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 2,898,562 ratings score: 15,537, and 171 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling 4.47 avg rating — 11,784,390 ratings score: 15,228, and 166 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Viciously Yours (Fae Kings of Eden, #1) by Jamie Applegate Hunter (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 48,936 ratings score: 15,211, and 161 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 390,689 ratings score: 14,947, and 160 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1) by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 2,552,716 ratings score: 14,807, and 162 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett 4.25 avg rating — 845,311 ratings score: 14,418, and 156 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle 3.97 avg rating — 1,311,207 ratings score: 14,224, and 158 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 4.09 avg rating — 533,504 ratings score: 14,093, and 154 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Wise Man's Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2) by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author) 4.55 avg rating — 638,895 ratings score: 13,986, and 149 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 21,977 ratings score: 13,931, and 147 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 3.89 avg rating — 580,039 ratings score: 13,588, and 153 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein 3.92 avg rating — 330,568 ratings score: 12,856, and 140 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Stand by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 861,392 ratings score: 12,742, and 140 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 251,756 ratings score: 12,529, and 137 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 178,956 ratings score: 12,436, and 134 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Polymorph by Max Nowaz (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 21,697 ratings score: 12,417, and 132 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 3.92 avg rating — 1,996,030 ratings score: 12,409, and 141 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 1,984,434 ratings score: 12,188, and 134 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 34,253 ratings score: 12,007, and 128 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Being a Witch, and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 27,014 ratings score: 11,937, and 125 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury 4.16 avg rating — 293,314 ratings score: 11,814, and 131 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton 4.14 avg rating — 1,098,051 ratings score: 11,786, and 131 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Sevanport: An Away Science Fiction Book by Norman Oro (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 11,389, and 114 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Host by Stephenie Meyer 3.87 avg rating — 1,058,268 ratings score: 11,167, and 122 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Children of Time (Children of Time, #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 195,429 ratings score: 10,753, and 118 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	I'm Glad You're Dead: Preternatural Chronicles Book 1 by Hunter Blain (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 4,613 ratings score: 10,737, and 115 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1) by Ernest Cline (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 1,342,640 ratings score: 10,577, and 115 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.09 avg rating — 236,440 ratings score: 10,562, and 120 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1) by John Scalzi (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 233,670 ratings score: 10,524, and 115 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The Lies of Vampires and Slayers (Magic on Main Street, #1) by K.M. Shea (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 9,095 ratings score: 10,336, and 109 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern, #1) by Anne McCaffrey 4.07 avg rating — 145,930 ratings score: 10,315, and 116 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan, #1) by Arkady Martine (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 76,981 ratings score: 10,294, and 109 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	A Dead and Stormy Night (Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries, #1) by Steffanie Holmes 3.90 avg rating — 15,001 ratings score: 10,279, and 109 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Heretical Fishing (Heretical Fishing, #1) by Haylock Jobson 4.18 avg rating — 11,837 ratings score: 10,114, and 107 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) by Terry Pratchett 4.34 avg rating — 244,837 ratings score: 9,893, and 107 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 4.34 avg rating — 2,598,644 ratings score: 9,657, and 107 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) by Joe Abercrombie 4.22 avg rating — 335,129 ratings score: 9,653, and 107 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells 3.83 avg rating — 361,067 ratings score: 9,624, and 110 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1) by Dan Simmons 4.28 avg rating — 317,504 ratings score: 9,609, and 109 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Mercy of Gods (The Captive's War, #1) by James S.A. Corey (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 45,168 ratings score: 9,547, and 101 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Light Bringer (Red Rising Saga, #6) by Pierce Brown (Goodreads Author) 4.78 avg rating — 138,644 ratings score: 9,522, and 100 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 571,124 ratings score: 9,261, and 103 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 2,213,034 ratings score: 9,178, and 100 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 303,222 ratings score: 9,119, and 101 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) by Stephenie Meyer 3.68 avg rating — 7,499,563 ratings score: 9,080, and 99 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein 4.15 avg rating — 141,596 ratings score: 9,024, and 101 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #2) by Dan Simmons 4.25 avg rating — 156,789 ratings score: 8,953, and 100 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	On Destiny by Aileen Erin (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 1,015 ratings score: 8,887, and 94 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	2001: A Space Odyssey (Space Odyssey, #1) by Arthur C. Clarke 4.18 avg rating — 343,628 ratings score: 8,845, and 103 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1-5) by Douglas Adams 4.38 avg rating — 343,755 ratings score: 8,788, and 100 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	Ringworld (Ringworld #1) by Larry Niven 3.93 avg rating — 131,095 ratings score: 8,667, and 98 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	The Martian by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 1,374,946 ratings score: 8,552, and 98 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	A Cursed Son (Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom, #1) by Day Leitao (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 4,026 ratings score: 8,532, and 90 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Accidental Mystic (Midlife Melody, #1) by Phoebe Ravencraft 4.18 avg rating — 2,174 ratings score: 8,472, and 89 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	Watchmen by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 606,093 ratings score: 8,469, and 96 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	The Chronicles of Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia, #1-7) by C.S. Lewis 4.28 avg rating — 722,113 ratings score: 8,369, and 95 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Mickey7 (Mickey7, #1) by Edward Ashton (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 64,035 ratings score: 8,071, and 85 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny 4.05 avg rating — 36,665 ratings score: 8,020, and 88 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	The Three Witches and the Master by Max Nowaz (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 17,785 ratings score: 7,982, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	A Game of Love and Betrayal (The Choosing Chronicles, #1) by Elayna R. Gallea (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 17,026 ratings score: 7,956, and 84 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Salvager by Scott Moon (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 1,800 ratings score: 7,856, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	Not Till We Are Lost (Bobiverse, #5) by Dennis E. Taylor (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 23,244 ratings score: 7,848, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	Magical Midlife Awakening (Leveling Up, #10) by K.F. Breene (Goodreads Author) 4.62 avg rating — 13,393 ratings score: 7,824, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	The Art of Avoiding Your Werewolf (Wildwood, #1) by Lola Glass (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 9,740 ratings score: 7,795, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.01 avg rating — 375,879 ratings score: 7,739, and 93 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 14,225 ratings score: 7,721, and 81 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 23,659 ratings score: 7,715, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	The Aspect of Essence (The Aelfyn Archives, #1) by Samantha Amstutz (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 11,551 ratings score: 7,694, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Lady of Darkness (Lady of Darkness, #1) by Melissa K. Roehrich (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 62,741 ratings score: 7,593, and 81 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill (Goodreads Author) 3.55 avg rating — 7,691 ratings score: 7,592, and 81 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 26,789 ratings score: 7,577, and 81 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga, #1) by Raymond E. Feist 4.16 avg rating — 105,596 ratings score: 7,560, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.26 avg rating — 162,242 ratings score: 7,558, and 87 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	The Father, The Son, and The Bigfoot Spirit by J Logan Arnold it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 7,485, and 75 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	Code Yellow in Gretna Green (Midlife Recorder, #5) by Linzi Day (Goodreads Author) 4.65 avg rating — 4,348 ratings score: 7,316, and 77 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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4,222 books · 6,008 voters · list created August 3rd, 2009 by Assirahc (votes) .

Tags: best, fantasy, magic, science-fiction, shapeshifter, vampire, werewolf

432 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (6008)

Assirahc 773 books
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Renee (Reneem1) 746 books
82 friends

Holly 8511 books
11 friends

Belinda 821 books
29 friends

Deb 386 books
103 friends

Kat 28 books
0 friends

Tessa 1731 books
136 friends

Eileen 562 books
12 friends

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Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-43 of 43 (43 new)

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message 1: by Michaelbrent (new)

Nov 03, 2009 10:51AM

For consideration on this list:

Billy: Messenger of Powers by Michaelbrent Collings (check it out at www.whoisbillyjones.com)

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message 2: by Emily (new)

Dec 27, 2009 07:28AM

Why are The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns on here? There are neither Science Fiction nor Fantasy. Can someone remove them?

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message 3: by Emily (new)

Dec 27, 2009 07:34AM

I also hate when people put Science Fiction and Fantasy together. They are clearly very different things.

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message 4: by Doctruthyness (new)

Jul 05, 2010 10:01PM

Dude, your book is not a 'must read.' It's not even a 'maybe read.'

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message 5: by Victoria (new)

Jul 14, 2010 11:44AM

Wish I could have retracted my vote (for a single Pullman vs the series).

Roger Zelazny, the Amber Chronicles The Great Book of Amber
Isaac Asimov, the Foundation seriesThe Foundation Trilogy

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message 6: by Victoria (new)

Jul 14, 2010 11:45AM

Emily wrote: "Why are The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns on here? There are neither Science Fiction nor Fantasy. Can someone remove them?"

Thoroughly agree!

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message 7: by Victoria (last edited Jul 14, 2010 11:49AM) (new)

Jul 14, 2010 11:49AM

Oh, well if vampires are included then one must read Anne Rice, who popularized the romance and sensuality of vampires:

The Vampire Chronicles Interview With the Vampire; The Vampire Lestat; The Queen of the Damned

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message 8: by Victoria (new)

Jul 14, 2010 11:50AM

Doctruthyness wrote: "Dude, your book is not a 'must read.' It's not even a 'maybe read.'"

Just wondering who "Dude, your book" is!

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message 9: by Angel (last edited Nov 02, 2010 08:54PM) (new)

Nov 02, 2010 08:54PM

And could someone remove the duplicate editions? I don't think we need to list titles like Brave New World more than once. And yes, why are books like The Kite Runner on this list, which clearly are not science fiction nor fantasy?

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message 10: by Sue (new)

Dec 07, 2010 02:21PM

How is Midnight Sun number 33?

It's not a book, it is, at best, an unfinished manuscript available on the internet that will probably never be published.

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message 11: by Ruby (new)

Sep 21, 2011 09:10PM

There are a great many books on this list that do not qualify as great or even good, they are merely new. Apparently a lot of people haven't read anything that was published before they entered high school.

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message 12: by 4l3x (last edited Aug 24, 2012 03:55AM) (new)

Aug 24, 2012 03:55AM

The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility

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message 13: by [deleted user] (new)

Sep 04, 2012 07:44PM

4l3x wrote: "The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility"

the hunger games is much better

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message 14: by 4l3x (new)

Sep 04, 2012 10:30PM

Monique wrote: "4l3x wrote: "The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility"

the hunger games is much better"

oh please... Have you even read Dune?

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message 15: by [deleted user] (new)

Sep 04, 2012 11:01PM

4l3x wrote: "Monique wrote: "4l3x wrote: "The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility"

the hunger games is much better"

oh please... Have you even read Dune?"

have you even read the hunger games?

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message 16: by [deleted user] (new)

Sep 04, 2012 11:03PM

Monique wrote: "4l3x wrote: "Monique wrote: "4l3x wrote: "The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility"

the hunger games is much better"

oh please... Have you even read Dune?"

have you even..."

and yes i have read it

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message 17: by Ruby (new)

Sep 04, 2012 11:33PM

Somebody's eatin' the crazy pills! The Hunger Games is young adult!! There's no way it could compare to the universe & history in the Dune series. Get a perspective.

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message 18: by 4l3x (last edited Sep 05, 2012 06:54AM) (new)

Sep 04, 2012 11:51PM

Monique wrote:
oh please... Have you even read Dune?"

have you even read the hunger games? "

I have. The whole series. (as you can see in my read books ;D) And while I enjoyed it in some extent (I find Katniss incredibly annoying and clueless) there is no way it should be before Dune in any list

Ruby wrote: "There's no way it could compare to the universe & history in the Dune series. Get a perspective. "
I see there is still hope out there

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message 19: by Scribble (new)

Sep 05, 2012 06:52AM

4l3x wrote: "The Hunger Games before Dune? This list lost all it's credibility"

LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE

and

+1

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message 20: by Karina (new)

Sep 11, 2012 04:31PM

Emily wrote: "I also hate when people put Science Fiction and Fantasy together. They are clearly very different things. "

YES! 1000X YES!

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message 21: by [deleted user] (new)

Sep 11, 2012 11:36PM

science fiction and fantasy can be good together

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message 22: by Ruby (new)

Sep 12, 2012 12:04AM

I agree. I love it when they are mixed in the same world! Or when the story seems like one and turns out to be the other.

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message 23: by [deleted user] (last edited Sep 12, 2012 04:57AM) (new)

Sep 12, 2012 04:57AM

i like fantasy and science fition i loved footprints of thunder and thunder of time there fantasy and science fiction

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message 24: by Nessarose (new)

Jan 24, 2013 12:49PM

It feels as though books that are part of series are really clogging the list up. Someone who's read a single series from start to finish will feel like they're a big man on campus after reading this list.

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message 25: by Danny (new)

Feb 16, 2015 10:16AM

Greegs & Ladders

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message 26: by Jonathan (new)

Jan 04, 2016 03:03PM

Science fiction AND fantasy in one list? Oh brother... Why don't you just mix children books with zombie books next for all the sense it makes? YAUGRL--yet another useless goodreads list.

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message 27: by Wolfgarr (new)

Jun 15, 2017 06:39PM

another list turned worthless due to everyone and his brother spaming every single book in a series.....When all you need is the first one.

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message 28: by Mitchell (new)

Aug 05, 2017 11:07AM

There are other better lists:

For recent science fiction take a look at Best Science Fiction of the 21st Century.

For popular fantasy take a look at The Most Popular Fantasy on Goodreads

For both these lists there are links in the list description to other good fantasy and science fiction lists.

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message 29: by Donna (new)

Aug 09, 2017 07:39PM

The system found and removed 4 duplicates.

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message 30: by Fatemeh (new)

Aug 14, 2017 10:12PM

برای کشف اقیانوس باید جرات ترک ساحل را داشت این دنیا دنیای تغییرات است نه تقدیر

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message 31: by Donna (new)

Aug 31, 2017 08:10PM

Greg wrote: "A new collection for consideration. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."
This is spam, and it violates Goodreads author conduct policy. I recommend you delete it. Otherwise I will flag it.

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message 32: by Donna (last edited Aug 31, 2017 08:36PM) (new)

Aug 31, 2017 08:22PM

As mixed lists go, this one is pretty good. I am seeing some genre issues though. Removed Beloved from p 5. Toni Morrison, science fiction and fantasy? The hell?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

On the line: where do we draw the line between fantasy and horror, folks? I am looking at some Stephen King titles, and Anne Rice. Dracula by Bram Stoker is clearly out of genre, and I'm removing it:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Love to hear some input about the others mentioned here. Some have a large number of votes, and I know that once a list is established, the first page becomes almost sacred. I don't want to touch anything that's liable to draw objections unless it's very clearly in the wrong place...

Removed from page 7, A Thousand Splendid Suns, out of genre:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Removed from page 8, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

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message 33: by Mitchell (new)

Aug 31, 2017 08:41PM

So - I'm not a big fan of horror. But a lot of horror I would consider also fantasy. And I'm not the only one. Dracula for example, is shelved 7,950 as horror. But it is also shelved 3,360 as fantasy. As a librarian I do a lot of removing books from lists. But as far as I'm concerned vampires and werewolves are just about always fantasy - and sometimes horror and sometimes romance and sometimes very rarely science fiction.

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message 34: by Donna (new)

Aug 31, 2017 09:49PM

Mitchell wrote: "So - I'm not a big fan of horror. But a lot of horror I would consider also fantasy. And I'm not the only one. Dracula for example, is shelved 7,950 as horror. But it is also shelved 3..."
The difference in genre, as I understand it, is that horror is written to induce fear more than anything else. I did see that some people have incorrectly shelved Dracula, but it's also a very small percentage of readers overall. (Look at the numbers at the top of the shelf list and you'll see what I mean.)
However, I also realize--though I'm not a fan personally--that there are now a lot of stories involving paranormal and vampirical love. So that's where the line gets hazy, because we have a category that used to be entirely horror and now is not.
As I previously said, I"m not going to remove anything I'm not sure of. I feel confident about Dracula.

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message 35: by Donna (new)

Apr 21, 2018 12:45PM

The system found and removed 6 duplicates.

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message 36: by Radu (new)

Jul 19, 2018 01:39PM

Emily wrote: "I also hate when people put Science Fiction and Fantasy together. They are clearly very different things. "

I TOTALLY agree!

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message 37: by Ginny (new)

Dec 14, 2018 12:06AM

Horn-Horn by ADT McLellan - one of those few books that you will go from the last page immediately back to the first page. Like The Sixth Sense, reading it a second time is like reading it for the first time again. It's a completely different story once all of the twists are revealed.

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message 38: by Liz (new)

Oct 15, 2019 06:16PM

So...number 1777 is Black Beauty. Perhaps the person who added it meant a different Black Beauty? Either way, they tagged the kid's book. Perhaps it should be deleted...or we should add Old Yeller. ;)

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message 39: by Donna (new)

Oct 15, 2019 10:53PM

Liz wrote: "So...number 1777 is Black Beauty. Perhaps the person who added it meant a different Black Beauty? Either way, they tagged the kid's book. Perhaps it should be deleted...or we should add Old Yeller. ;)"

Good eyes. It's gone now.

The system found and removed 21 duplicates.

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message 40: by Amy (new)

Dec 23, 2019 05:38AM

The Ascendance Protocol: Endeavour by Chris Scott

Such a great book. I have both kindle and paperback versions!

The Ascendance Protocol: Endeavour

The Ascendance Protocol: Endeavour

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message 41: by Donna (new)

Dec 23, 2019 02:56PM

Amy wrote: "The Ascendance Protocol: Endeavour by Chris Scott

Such a great book. I have both kindle and paperback versions!

The Ascendance Protocol: Endeavour

[book:The Ascendance Protocol: ..."
If you want that title on the list and it isn't there yet, you have to enter it yourself using the tab at the top of the list.

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message 42: by Yaroslav (new)

Feb 04, 2020 03:01AM

Why Hunger Games are here?

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message 43: by Mitchell (new)

Nov 17, 2021 12:35PM

Mary wrote: "Why are there some books with less than 1K votes and hundreds of votes in the list? They should be deleted..what a joke.
Examples: The Outlands"

This list was setup without criteria that let's a librarian remove books with some impunity. You might appreciate Most Popular Science Fiction on Goodreads and the lists that it links to more.

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