Goodreads Officially Reveals the 10 Most Popular Sci-Fi Books of the 1990s (Exclusive)

The ’90s were one of the hardest-hitting decades for the sci-fi genre, giving birth to and continuing some of the greatest franchises. Now, thanks to Goodreads member data, generously shared by Goodreads itself, Screen Rant has identified the 10 sci-fi books that defined the 1990s.

With over 150 million members, Goodreads is one of the most authoritative voices in the reading community, serving as a second home for book lovers and helping many find their next read. In addition to allowing members to rate and review books, Goodreads’ site-defining digital bookshelf provides readers with three core default shelves: Want to Read, Currently Reading, and Read, all of which provide further insight into what is trending and most popular among readers.

Now, using the data gathered from these interactive member features, Goodreads has helped Screen Rant determine the most popular sci-fi books of the ’90s. We have ordered the list by highest rating, in descending order. However, readers should note that the entries on this list are based not solely on ratings but on a combination of Goodreads metrics, including ratings, reviews, and shelf adds.

So, without further ado, here are the 10 sci-fi books that defined the ’90s.

10 The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa (1994)

Kicking off the list is Yōko Ogawa’s dystopian novel, The Memory Police. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2020, the prestigious honor helped introduce Ogawa’s work to a much wider English-speaking audience. With a commendable 3.68-star rating on Goodreads, the novel stands out among many of the other sci-fi entries on this list, offering a slow, atmospheric, and deeply eerie tale that differs from the genre’s typically more action-packed stories.

9 Xenocide (Ender's Saga, #3) by Orson Scott Card (1991)

Xenocide is the third novel in Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Saga, which is best known for its first novel, Ender’s Game. Originally published in 1985, Ender’s Game went on to become a major motion picture while remaining a fan favorite. The fact that Xenocide, a third installment in the series, was still identified as one of the most popular books of the 1990s speaks to the saga’s legendary appeal among readers.

8 Timeline by Michael Crichton (1999)

It wouldn’t be a list of 'the sci-fi books that defined the 90s' without some Michael Crichton, and it’s no surprise that his genre-blending masterpiece, Timeline, made the list. Published in 1999, this novel combines sci-fi, historical fiction, and thriller elements to create an exceptional time-traveling adventure that also features its fair share of medieval warfare. Featuring archaeologists and scientists who travel back in time to 14th-century France using experimental quantum technology, Timeline is an exceptionally unique book.

7 Mostly Harmless (Hitchhiker's Guide, #5) by Douglas Adams (1992)

Another standout entry is Mostly Harmless, the fifth book in Douglas Adams’s famous Hitchhiker’s Guide series. The series is best known for its first book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which started as a BBC radio series in 1978 before expanding into novels and other media. The series is a masterclass in blending comedy and sci-fi and remains a favorite among readers to this day. It’s rare to see a fifth book in a series make a top-ten list, which just goes to show how exceptional the series is.

6 Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (1992)

Next up is Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, a novel that has become one of the most influential books in the cyberpunk genre. The novel is also widely credited with popularizing the concept of the metaverse, which has since been used countless times in other high-octane sci-fi series and franchises. With a 4.01 average star rating, 637K Goodreads bookshelf adds, and 276K of those being "Want to Read" adds, this book remains a classic in the subgenre.

5 I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (1995)

Among the entries on this list, Jacqueline Harpman’s 1995 novel I Who Have Never Known Men has the most total reader shelf adds, with 1.76 million. This statistic is particularly notable because it speaks to the dystopian sci-fi novel gaining new traction over the past few years and continuing to trend today. This means that the book not only helped define the sci-fi genre of the ’90s but is also making waves in today’s sci-fi landscape.

4 Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton (1990)

What will come as no surprise is the inclusion of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and The Lost World, the first two books in his Jurassic Park series. The first book in the series holds an impressive 4.14 average rating with 1.67 million bookshelf adds, 425K of which are Want to Read adds. While the second book’s rating drops off a bit with a 3.88 average, it, along with its other impressive Goodreads metrics, still earned a well-deserved spot on this list. Because, really, what would the ’90s be without Jurassic Park?

3 Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1) by Octavia E. Butler (1993)

Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, the first book in her Earthseed series, holds a highly impressive average rating of 4.18. Parable of the Sower is a dystopian science fiction novel that is particularly notable for its 2024 setting, a year that we’ve now already lived through. It explores a near-future United States devastated by climate change, economic inequality, political instability, water shortages, and other elements of societal collapse. Unsurprisingly, the book saw a resurgence in popularity during the pandemic, finding a whole new audience.

2 Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (1999)

Cryptonomicon, the second book featured on this list by Neal Stephenson, is one of the highest-rated entries, with an impressive 4.23-star average and a commendable 253K shelf adds, 104K of which are Want to Read adds. This 1999 science-fiction/techno-thriller differs from Stephenson’s Snow Crash in that it is grounded heavily in real technology, mathematics, and World War II history. With two entries on this list, it’s clear that ’90s sci-fi wouldn’t have been the same without Stephenson.

1 The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #2) by Dan Simmons (1990)

Last, but far from least, is the highest-rated entry on this list. With an impressive average rating of 4.25 stars, The Fall of Hyperion is the second book in Dan Simmons’s multi-award-winning, four-part science-fiction Hyperion Cantos series. The first book in the series, Hyperion (1989), won the 1990 Hugo Award, with The Fall of Hyperion concluding the initial narrative arc before the third book picks up the story 274 years later.

If you were reading in the ’90s, which sci-fi books do YOU think defined the decade?