Science Fiction is one of the more recent genres of literature, yet some classic and very popular books have come from it. Some of the most imaginative works of modern fiction have extended from science fiction, as plenty of authors have been inspired by the massive expansion in technology over the years.

An example of an early pioneer of the genre is Jules Verne, who wrote “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea”, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, and “Around the World in Eighty Days”, all of which involve futuristic technology of the day. Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea for example, tells the story of Captain Nemo, who has created an electrically powered submarine and lives under the water. Initially the book focuses on a mysterious sea monster that has damaged a liner, and he US government compiles an expedition to track it down. However the monster turns out to be the Nautilus, Nemo’s submarine and he captures three members of the expedition. The story is told from one of the captured men, Professor Pierre Aronnax and tells the story of their adventures under the sea with Captain Nemo.

If you are interested in science fiction books, then reading one of Jules Verne’s books is a great idea, but there are plenty of other fantastic science fiction books:

Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 takes place in a future American society, where critical thought through reading is completely outlawed. It was named Fahrenheit 451 after the temperature that books are supposed to combust at- apparently the actual temperature is a fait bit higher, but oh well! The central character is a man named Montag, who is a “fireman”, though in this society that really makes him a burner of books. However he begins to question his own activities, and decides to steal and keep a book himself. Fahrenheit 451 is a really great read, but also symbolises a lot of the criticisms that Bradbury held of American society in the Cold War era.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy- Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a comedy science fiction book, and is a great read if you prefer something a little more light hearted than more full on science fiction books. The story traces a the journey of a wonderfully diverse range of characters across an equally diverse and imaginative universe, and includes great anecdotes, such as the computer that produces the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything- apparently 42, after seven and a half million years of calculation.