Last month, 60 000 votes were tallied in National Public Radio’s annual summer reader poll. Its topic? The Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels. Of all time. And what those 60 000 people came up with (based on the nominations of five thousand of them) is one of the more intriguing reading lists upon which any new convert to speculative fiction might embark.

True, there are some oddities in evidence. For example, most trilogies or series are listed only once, and in full, yet Terry Pratchett’s Discworld has two entries and Anne McCaffrey is honored for one Pern book alone. Also, any list of this type is bound to have some glaring omissions or inclusions that seem bizarre to some readers (Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series is here, but no Dresden Files? Diana Gabaldan’s Outlander books are here? Really?), and since children’s and YA novels were specifically excluded from the voting here, there is a gaping chasm where Harry, Percy, Artemis and even Bella should be -- although, isn’t Watership Down kind of a kids’ book? Isn’t Ender’s Game YA… not to mention, Starship Troopers? And wait, we’re calling Animal Farm a Fantasy novel? Are we sure that’s the right fit? Also, let us not forget that lists of this type are not only highly subjective but also owe much to things like fashion and name recognition rather than pure merit. Because really: no John Wyndham? C. J. Cherryh? Octavia Butler? Andre Norton? And yet The Time Traveler’s Fricking Wife is here? What?

So, is this THE definitive list of the hundred best SFF novels ever written? Of course not. But is it a pretty decent overview of almost a century and a half of our beloved genre, beginning with Jules Verne in 1870 and going all the way up to a Brandon Sanderson novel from just last year? Yes. Yes it is.

Here, in Part 1 of our in-depth look at these chosen… well, hundred, our crack staff gives their unique take on #1 through to #50…

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THE COMPLETE LIST

1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J. R. R. Tolkien
First Published: 1954
Genre: High Fantasy
Subgenre: Epic

In Short:	The ultimate Fantasy novel, in multiple parts.
Recommended:	It's a long and sometimes hard read, but a must if you're an advocate of the Fantasy genre.

“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”

-- Gandalf

Summary: Middle Earth is going to crap. Frodo, a short, fuzzy-footed, constantly hungry Hobbit must take a ring and chuck it in a volcano. A whole bunch o’ characters join him on his quest and other stuff happens. There're elves and dwarves, and goblins, and wizards. Talking trees. But no entwives. Over the course of three books (well, six, if you count the fact that each were then split in two for initial release) he walks across Middle Earth, manages not to get killed, goes a little batshit crazy and loses a finger.

On Screen: Peter Jackson took it, cut out half the story, and still made three of the longest films you'll ever see. They're good, and even won a multitude of Oscars... just don't get the extended Making Of Directors Cut, Cast Commentary box set edition, or you may never sleep again.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: You can't have a Top 100 of anything in genre without it.

-- Jason Murdoch

2. THE HITCHHIKERS’ GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams
First Published: 1979, based on an earlier radio play; the first of this "trilogy in five parts" was followed by The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish and  Mostly Harmless
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Humor

In Short:	A radio series, a trilogy in five parts, a TV series, a movie, an incredible inter-stellar journey, and to Arthur Dent, mainly a disappointment.
Recommended:	Undoubtedly.

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

-- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Summary: Arthur Dent, humankinds last survivor, finds himself and unwelcome on a Vogon destructor fleet vessel after the demolishing of earth to make way for an interstellar bypass, only to be saved from death by poetry by Galactic president and the stolen Heart of Gold infinite improbability driven space ship... Confused?

On Screen: Most recently in 2005 with Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin the Paranoid Android.

In Other Media: Aside from the original radio play, there have been multiple stage productions, video games, audio books, a BBC TV series, a DC Comic adaptation and warehouses full of “Hitch-Hikeriana” merchandise. In addition, a follow-up book, And Another Thing… by Eion Colfer, was released in 2009.

In Popular Culture: The 1997 song "Paranoid Android" (huzzah for Radiohead!!), and the Paranoid Android himself had a couple of UK hit singles, as well. Each year on May 25 the world celebrates Towel Day, on which H2G2 enthusiasts carry a towel with them in homage to the series -- and, of course, everyone knows that the ultimate meaning of life, the universe and everything is 42...

Awards and Nominations: Weirdly, none.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: A book that makes queuing fun! How can it not be?!

-- Jason Murdoch

3. ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card
FULL REVIEW
First Published: 1977, in short story form. 1985 as the full novel.
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Space Opera

In Short:	The coming-of-age story of a boy genius that works on many levels.
Recommended:	There's a reason it's consistently listed as discerning geeks’ favorite book of all time.

"I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one."

-- Graff

Summary: A young boy, Ender Wiggin, genius among geniuses, is taken from his family at a young age to be trained in the art of war-in-space with other young kids, supposedly to be ready in case an almost bogeyman-level threat of alien "Buggers" return to Earth. Ender has to deal with both knowingly and unknowingly being used as a pawn in politics, both internally at Battle School among other students and on a planetary scale. His brother and sister also manage to involve themselves. What does this hold for the future of mankind?!

On Screen: A film adaptation has been in the works many times over the years, but never quite comes together.

In Other Media: Limited series comic adoptions of both Ender's Game and the parallel novel Ender's Shadow were released in the past few years; meanwhile, the Enderverse is ever-growing, with three direct sequels, a four-book (so far) parallel series in addition to several short story collections and interquel pieces..

In Popular Culture: This book is required reading in the U.S. Marine Corps, and entire college classes are based around it.

Awards and Nominations: Won both the Hugo (1985) and Nebula (1986) awards, one of only a handful of books to accomplish that feat.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Oh, very much. And its lofty position on the list, too.

-- K. Burtt

4. THE DUNE CHRONICLES by Frank Herbert
First Published: Dune in 1965, followed by five more novels over the next twenty years.
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Space Opera/Dystopian

In Short:	A landmark science fiction series involving inter-stellar aristocracy, internecine politics, institutional deification and… giant sandworms.
Recommended:	Yes… mostly.

“There is in each of us an ancient force that takes and an ancient force that gives. A man finds little difficulty facing that place within himself where the taking force dwells, but it’s almost impossible for him to see into the giving force without changing into something other than man. For a woman, the situation is reversed.”

-- Paul

Summary: Paul Atreides, young heir to a noble house and soon ruler of the desert planet Arrakis -- valuable, as it is the only source of the spice melange, which confers telepathic abilities; dangerous, as it is home to fearsome giant sandworms -- makes friends and enemies, makes love and war, goes blind, becomes Emperor of the Universe, and then leaves this might legacy to his equally fascinating descendents...

On Screen: There is the trippy 1984 David Lynch version, of course, as well as two TV mini-series, 2000’s Dune and 2003’s Children of Dune, both broadcast on the then-Sci-Fi Channel.

In Other Media: The expected video games, board games, role-playing games and the like, of course, plus several audio versions and a National Lampoon parody, Doon. (Oh, the wit!) In 1999, Frank Herbert’s son Brian began collaborating with prolific media tie-in author Kevin J. Anderson on a series of prequels to Dune, which they followed up with several interquels and sequels, their collaborations in the universe now totaling thirteen, along with several short stories.

In Pop Culture: Musically, Dune has been referenced by everyone from Fatboy Slim to Iron Maiden. On TV: Chuck and Morgan go dressed as a sandworm on Halloween in Chuck’s first season; the boys from The Big Bang Theory commented on the beauty of Lynch movie’s deserts; the names of several planets in Star Trek can also be found in the Dune universe (Rakis, Arrakis, Gedi Prime, Kaitan); and on The Simpsons, when asked if Apu’s curry is too spicy for her, Lisa answers cleverly -- and no doubt cryptically, to anyone unfamiliar with the story: “I can see through time.”

Awards and Nominations: Dune won the Hugo in 1966, as well as the inaugural Nebula Award that same year. The later books were variously nominated for, or won, more Hugos, more Nebulas, and a bunch of Locus, Prometheus and other honors.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Definitely, though by the end (and especially by the assorted posthumous addendums) it all gets a little tired.

-- Rachel Hyland

5. A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE by George R.R. Martin
READ REVIEW
First Published: 1996, with the first novel A Game of Thrones. The fifth book (of a reported seven), A Dance with Dragons, was released July 2011.
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: Er… EPIC

In Short:	The new poster-series for Epic Fantasy, full of grand sweeping action and politics, and more than a few unexpected twists and turns
Recommended:	Yeeess…with reservations. Be prepared for what you are about to get involved with.

Winter is coming.

-- Motto of House Stark.

Summary: The land of Westeros, and the Seven Kingdoms within, are thrown into turmoil as the (spoiler alert) ruling King Robert dies, and many different families make plays for the throne. In the middle of this is the family Stark, with the Stark children involved in several different aspects of the on-going upheaval. Added to this is the growing threat to the land of Daenerys Targaryen, the surviving daughter of the ruling family before Robert, who has a family connection with dragons. And there is something mysterious and dangerous going on past the great ice wall in the North… Who will come out on top at the end, and will there even be a land left for someone to rule?

On Screen: HBO began airing the acclaimed adaptation Game of Thrones in April of 2010, with the first season based upon the first book.

In Other Media: Various assorted games (board, card, role-playing, video…) have been released or are in development.

In Popular Culture: Aside from quite possibly having become the most well-known of Epic Fantasy series to the general populous since The Lord of the Rings, a Season 4 episode of Chuck had our hero exclaiming: “Eddard, you don’t let your kids keep a direwolf! That’s a terrible idea!”, and some believe that World of Warcraft is littered with A Song of Ice and Fire references, although they may be reaching.

Awards and Nominations: Hugo and Nebula nominated, the first three books all won the Locus Award.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Yes… more so if it ever actually gets finished.

-- K. Burtt

6. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
AKA 1984
First Published: 1949
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Dystopian

In Short:	A commentary on the potential extremes of a “law and order” society, and how people will go along with it for the presumed preservation of their own security.
Recommended:	Hell, yes!

Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death.

Summary: Set in the then-distant year 1984, the novel tells the story of a police state that has risen after an atomic war. The head of society is Big Brother, a man known only by a poster, with a face similar to that of Joseph Stalin. Winston Smith lives a very facile existence, until he meets and falls in love with Julia. They both attempt to become anti-government operatives, but they are thwarted and captured. The rest of the book follows the governmental procedure of re-educating Winston.

On Screen: A fairly forgettable cinematic version was released in 1956, directed by Michael Anderson and featuring Donald Pleasance in a supporting role. A slightly more relevant version (technically titled Nineteen-Hundred Eighty Four), was released in 1984 (good timing). Directed by Michael Radford, it starred John Hurt, as well Richard Burton in his final role.

In Other Media: So many to choose from… In comics, Alan Moore placed his literary team of heroes in a post-1984 society in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier. And musicians had their fun too, like David Bowie’s album Diamond Dogs. And Van Halen released their album 1984 in 1984 (what are the odds?).

In Popular Culture: The most famous example is also the most famous Apple commercial, when the javelin is thrown into a large computer screen, apparently used for Big Brother-like indoctrination. Terry Gilliam directed a satiric look at a 1984-like world in Brazil (1985). And of course, without Orwell’s novel, we would never have the Big Brother television show...

Awards and Nominations: Nothing major.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Absolutely.

-- Jason Luna

7. FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury
First Published: 1953 (though a shorter version, called "The Fireman", appeared in Galaxy Science Fiction, 1951).
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Dystopian

In Short:	A mesmerizing rumination on censorship and society that remains as revolutionary and relevant today as it was sixty years ago.
Recommended:	Hell, yes!

"We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren't happy. Something's missing. I looked around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books I'd burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help."

-- Montag

Summary: In a heavily-controlled yet chaotic future, literature of any kind has been banned in order to ensure that no one might be offended by such pesky things as ideas and imagery and words. Here, we meet Guy Montag, a “fireman” tasked with the destruction of any books that have somehow escaped their fiery fate, who one day reads just one sentence from Alexander Smith’s 1963 collection Dreamthorp (“Time has fallen asleep in the afternoon sunshine") and thenceforth goes renegade, daring to do the unthinkable: to read and to think -- and even, to kill.

On Screen: A controversial 1966 adaptation was directed by French New Wave auteur François Truffaut.

In Other Media: In addition to 2009 graphic novel based on the book, there is also a thrilling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a76FlFGyqec) 1986 text-based video game.

In Popular Culture: The kickass 2002 film Equilibrium is based largely on this novel, and Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 clearly riffs on its title and content. Also, The Simpsons has referred to the book more than once, most notably in the episode “Dog of Death” (03.19), in which Homer actually burns a copy of Fahrenheit 451 as one of the series’ signature sight gags.

Awards and Nominations: Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards, Silver (1953), Prometheus Award (Hall of Fame, 1984), Retrospective Hugo Award (2004)

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Of course.

-- Rachel Hyland

8. THE FOUNDATION TRILOGY by Isaac Asimov
First Published: Originally several short stories published between 1942-1950, the three books making up the original trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation) were published in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Space Opera

In Short:	A seminal and iconic series that holds up well, though seems somewhat quaint in this day and age.
Recommended:	Absolutely!

"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."

-- Foundation

Summary: A psychohistorian, Hari Seldon, uses mathematics to predict the fall of the aging Galactic Empire, and forms the Foundation (two of them, in fact) to maintain and secure human knowledge, and help lead the remains of the Empire through the ensuing chaos. Seldon predicts that if the Foundation follows his plan, a new empire can rise within 1000 years instead of having the dark age last 30,000+ years. The books follow through several generations of events as Seldon's plan and predictions play out.

On Screen: Film Adaptations have supposedly been in the works several times, but have yet to appear in any concrete form.

In Other Media: A radio adaptation was broadcast by the BBC, originally in 1973. Many other books -- some by Asimov, some by others -- have been added to the original trilogy.

In Popular Culture: Influences abound within other books/shows, such as the Guide from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy based upon the Foundation's Encyclopedia Galactica. The series has also been reported as quite influential on real-life psychologists and economists.

Awards and Nominations: Awarded the one-time "Best All-Time Series" Hugo Award. High praise, indeed.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Absolutely.

-- K. Burtt

9. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
First Published: 1932
Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: Dystopian

In Short:	A sobering glance at a futuristic society where everyone is supposed to be satisfied, and what happens when people decide not to be.
Recommended:	Hell, yes!

“Civilization is sterilization.”

-- Bernard Marx

Summary: Technology is heralded above all else in a futuristic society where time is measured in terms of A.F. (After Ford), instead of A.D. The members of society are herded into appropriate social structures, so that no one is too overwhelmed, and no one becomes too intellectually stimulated. We get an insight into a world where hedonism is par for the course, both in terms of sexual gratification and a potent drug known as soma, when a “society of savages” (including the man fittingly known as “John Savage”) is discovered and it causes Bernard Marx, a likable everyman, to question his own role in society.

On Screen: A low budget version, directed by Burt Brinkerhoff, was produced in 1980 (and can be streamed on Google Video). A mediocre TV movie version was produced in 1998, directed by Leslie Libman and Larry Williams, and starring Peter Gallagher and Leonard Nimoy, among others.

In Other Media: There has never been a strong attempt to adapt Huxley’s magnum opus outside of film, apparently. The idea of a Dystopia society allows for a loose connection between the novel and 1999’s superhero role-playing game Brave New World.

In Popular Culture: The negative possibilities of genetic science that the novel explores lent the book’s title to a 1994 British documentary series about bioethics. And a ton of shows have used it as an episode title, to add some import to their programming. Heroes is understandable. Boy Meets World or One Tree Hill? Probably not.

Awards and Nominations: Nothing of note.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Definitely.

-- Jason Luna

10. AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
First published: 2001
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: Mythology

In Short:	An epic tale about America in the new millennium, mythology disguised as a road trip buddy movie with a convict, a Machiavellian old man, and a full roster of gods both old and new.
Recommended:	Absolutely!

Gods die. And when they truly die they are unmourned and unremembered. Ideas are more difficult to kill than people, but they can be killed, in the end.

Summary: A recently released convict named Shadow is shanghaied by a mysterious man named Wednesday and gets thrown into an epic, dark, mysterious journey across America as the gods of old prepare to do battle with the gods of the new millennium. During the journey Shadow is faced with the warping of reality, the dead coming back to life, Lucille Ball threatening him through the television, and all sorts of other unbelievable things. But you can pretend it's all made up; only the gods are real.

On Screen: Tom Hanks' production company announced it was preparing a series adapted from the book for HBO, to be aired in 2012.

In Other Media: Two versions of the audiobook were released. The first, unabridged version was read by George Guidall, and the other was a tenth anniversary edition read by a full cast.

In Popular Culture: Nothing yet, but hopefully the HBO adaptation will give it some wider geek cred.

Awards and Nominations: Won Best Novel for the 2002 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, SFX Magazine and Bram Stoker Awards. It also won the 2003 Geffen Award. It was nominated for the 2001 BFSA Award and the 2002 World Fantasy, International Horror Guild, Mythopeoic and British Fantasy Awards.

Deserving of Top 100 Status: Without a doubt!

-- Geonn Cannon