There are a few Heinlein and K. Dick books I’d take over the two listed(e.g. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress). I’d maybe add Von Neumann’s “The Computer and the Brain” which reads like science fiction in an age where literacy increasingly means re-tweeting a tiktok, instagramming an abdomen, or youtubing an unboxing video of expensive shoes.
Thank you for Witch World and Andre Norton! You know I am on board with John Brunner, as well, although Stand on Zanzibar is the one embedded in my head. I would like to see James Tiptree Jr’s short stories on the list. For me, there is little more influential than Schmitz’s Witches of Karres, one of the funniest SF novels ever written, which stands behind a myriad of whimsical space operas since. (Can we escape Douglas Adams? Do we want to?) Harlan Ellison was a jerk, but Dangerous Visions was an anthology/set of anthologies that set up a whole new way of writing SF. Also, CJ Cherry’s Cyteen opened up some new ideas about cloning and parenting for me.
Checking to see if I can comment, I think you also might be obligated to include Ringworld by Larry Niven -- another author who's reputation has suffered as the field has (correctly) become more inclusive, but still a massive influence.
There are a few Heinlein and K. Dick books I’d take over the two listed(e.g. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress). I’d maybe add Von Neumann’s “The Computer and the Brain” which reads like science fiction in an age where literacy increasingly means re-tweeting a tiktok, instagramming an abdomen, or youtubing an unboxing video of expensive shoes.
Thank you for Witch World and Andre Norton! You know I am on board with John Brunner, as well, although Stand on Zanzibar is the one embedded in my head. I would like to see James Tiptree Jr’s short stories on the list. For me, there is little more influential than Schmitz’s Witches of Karres, one of the funniest SF novels ever written, which stands behind a myriad of whimsical space operas since. (Can we escape Douglas Adams? Do we want to?) Harlan Ellison was a jerk, but Dangerous Visions was an anthology/set of anthologies that set up a whole new way of writing SF. Also, CJ Cherry’s Cyteen opened up some new ideas about cloning and parenting for me.
Checking to see if I can comment, I think you also might be obligated to include Ringworld by Larry Niven -- another author who's reputation has suffered as the field has (correctly) become more inclusive, but still a massive influence.