Lists
In addition to the eight annual polls we use to award points for great SF, we also use several retrospective lists af all-time best novels. These lists represent novels that have stood the test of time. Incorporating them into the scoring system allows us at SF Score to recognize older novels that never had a chance to earn a Hugo Award, true classics of the genre.
Classics of Science Fiction
This list, compiled by James W. Harris in 2002, takes 28 different data sources into account to create a list of the all-time classics of science fiction.
Official site: classics.jameswallaceharris.com
Internet Speculative Fiction Database Top 100
The Internet Speculative Fiction Database allows its users to rate works on a scale of 1-10. The top-scoring 100 novels with at least five votes are included on a top 100 list. Points are awarded for the top 100 as of September 2016.
Official site: isfdb.org/cgi-bin/top100.cgi?novel
SFFJazz Top 100
The scifilists.sffjazz.com site curates a list of the top 100 SF novels based on a large number of historical awards, literary criticism, popular polls, and more. Points are awarded for the top 100 as of May 2, 2013.
Official site: scifilists.sffjazz.com
Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels
This list is from a book published by David Pringle in 1985, listing 100 notable SF novels published between 1949 and 1984.
CSSF Basic Science Fiction Library
This list, originally compiled by James Gunn and maintained by the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas, contains over 200 works and series that provide a "sound background for the teaching of science fiction."
Official site: sfcenter.ku.edu/sflib.htm
Locus Magazine Best SF Novels of the 20th Century, 21st Century
In 2012, Locus Magazine invited its readers to vote for the best SF novel of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Official site: locusmag.com/2012/AllCenturyPollsResults.html
Results: 20th Century 21st Century
Amazon.com 100 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime
In 2015, the Amazon.com book editors released a list of their essential science fiction and fantasy books.
Official site: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=12661600011
Goodreads Top 50 Science Fiction Books
Goodreads published a list of 50 science fiction books that have been rated very highly (average four stars or above) as of 2018.
Official site: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1343-top-50-science-fiction-books-on-goodreads
NPR Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
National Public Radio ran an online poll to compile this list of fans' all-time favorite science fiction and fantasy novels in 2011. More than 60,000 fans responded.
Official site: https://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139248590/top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books