The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

I am rather uneducated in the works of science fiction, other than few classics like Martian Chronicles and 1984. The best way to remedy my ignorance is to start from the beginning and move on. I figured there would be others here who also may like to experience science fiction stories from their inception, or relate their opinions on authors or stories through the years.

So with no further ado I ask you all where do we start? My plan was to start with Jules Verne, but is there an author who pre-dates his works? If not what is your vote for a Jules Verne novel for our first read in August?

Frankenstein is considered the first proper SF novel.

However, if Verne is chosen unanimously by the group, I'd prefer Journey to the Center of the Earth

I would agree with Frankenstein, or (published a few years later), The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

Great, I haven`t read Frankenstein either. I`ll get a few more nominations then make a poll.
So far we have:
Mary Shelley - Frankenstein
Mary Shelley - The Last Man
Jules Verne - Journey to the Center of the Earth

Here's another vote for Journey to the Center of the Earth!

Does it matter if you've read the book before? Because I've read Frankenstein. I haven't read Journey to the Center of the Earth, though.

Vote for whatever you want, if you want to re-read it that's cool, if not don't vote for it. I'll make a poll tomorrow right now I am just gathering nominations.
Personally I'd like to start with a Mary Shelley story, if she is the first sci-fi author, then it's the perfect place to start. It needn't be Frankenstein if too many people have read it. Then afterwards move on to Jules Verne. However I leave the decision making to the masses.

I have made a poll at the bottom of the Group Home page. Frankenstein, The Last Man, Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leaugues Under the Sea or up for vote. Polls close on the 30th.

I had to go with Journey to the Center of the Earth. Nothing against Shelley...but come on, Jules Verne! Doc Brown could only have it this way. :)

I think that if we skip Verne on this time around we have to read something from him for September. If we are reading through the evolution of sci-fi skipping Verne seems like a severe faux-pas.

I voted Frankenstein. It's the oldest and I do recall it being a really good story.

Shelley's Frankenstein is on my library wish list. I recently read Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and wasn't impressed enough to want to read more by Verne. H. G. Welles was also an early science fiction writer. His War of the Worlds is pretty good.

My vote would be for Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

^There's good news and bad news.

The bad news is that the voting is already finished.

The good news is that Frankenstein won anyway.

Picked up Frankenstein today. Along with two collection books of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne.

Nice! I may have to pick up an H.G. Wells book, the only one I own is War of the Worlds. I just picked up a nice Jules Verne collection too.