Nerds aren’t just about Star Trek and D&D. There are many different facets to our overall nerdiness. Actually, we generally explore many different types of fiction in our reading habits.
This is why not only does this list include the best of SciFi but also the best of fantasy and utopian/dystopian literature.
So here it is, a list of books (or series of books) that nerds love:
10. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
)This series includes five books, each following the life of Arthur Dent as he meets an alien, Ford Prefect, whom is writing a guidebook. The two escape death and travel aboard Prefect’s semi-cousin to find the question to the ultimate answer.
Why nerds love it:
Aliens, humor, the destruction of Earth, and the ultimate answer. If these four things were written on a piece of toilet paper, no doubt it would be picked up by a nerd and stashed away for future reference.
9. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
)A future where firemen burn books and pleasure is the ultimate importance. The protagonist is a fireman who learns how to be a free thinker through a series of events. Crimes against both humanity and animals are consistent throughout the book. Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 was his way of critiquing the American society.
Why nerds love it:
Although society hasn’t jumped that far down the creek yet, many aspects of Fahrenheit 451 are seen today. Many books are banned in various countries and almost anything out of the ordinary is looked down upon. Know what is out of the ordinary? Nerds. We can easily relate to the books theme.
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
)This novel has become famous for its portrayal of a futuristic, totalitarian regime. Many terms and concepts created by Orwell’s 1984 have now entered popular culture, including “Big Brother”, “Newspeak”, and “Doublethink”.
Why nerds love it:
It’s the future man! That, and the fact that, sadly, many of the Orwellian societies features are being implemented today and/or have been talked about being implemented–particularly thought crimes, big brother, and the manipulation of language.
7. The Ender’s Game Series by Orson Scott Card
)Sure, the series isn’t just novels, but when it’s one of the most significant science fiction series of the 1980s, it just has to be mentioned. The first book revolves around Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, a child soldier when Mankind is facing annihilation from the Formics, an insect-like bug species. The series follows Ender’s life and struggles as he deals with his training, space travel, and other species.
Why nerds love it:
The Ender’s Game Series has been criticized for being morally unclean, some comparing Ender to Adolf Hitler. Although this does bring some curiosity to the table in relation to the character’s thinking, the relationships at the training school and with other species allows readers to relate to today’s society and problems.
6. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
)Even if you have never seen the movies, you must have an idea of what the books are about. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel series about a Dark Lord who created One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power and conquer Middle Earth. The series follows the lives of a group of Middle-earth humanoids who venture across the land to destroy the ring and end the War of the Ring.
Why nerds love it:
The books bring together many of the nerd popular humanoids (elves, dwarves, orcs, humans with wizard powers) and puts them in Middle-earth surrounded by war fought with swords, arrows, and magic. What isn’t there to love?
5. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
)This book is perhaps most famous for introducing the phrase ‘time machine’ into the English language to mean any vehicle which travels through time. But of course, this novella has much more to it than that. Wells’ The Time Machine was one of the first books to discuss a dying Earth.
Why nerds love it:
Not only does this book discuss the future, but it discusses the future of humans, their evolution, and a utopian society. The fact that this is all being experienced by a time traveler only adds to the nerdiness. Once you add in the cannibalism and crab-like human ancestors, you have one hell of a read.
4. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
)This science fiction novel follows the life of Juan Rico, a military recruit, as his career progresses. The story takes place during an interstellar war between mankind and “the Bugs” and includes several social philosophical subjects.
Why nerds love it:
This book has the best of both worlds, a man’s journey from military recruit to officer with a political and philosophical ideas which make the reader think seriously about their own society. Starship Troopers has been criticized for being racist, fascist, and utopian, but this just adds to a nerds curiosity.
3. The Sprawl Trilogy by William Gibson
)The Sprawl Trilogy is made up of Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive. The books are based in the near-future shortly after World War III in a world dominated by corporations. The main theme focuses on artificial intelligence and it becoming the sum of all human knowledge.
Why nerds love it:
The books have tons of action and futuristic details (like “jacking in” similar to the Matrix) while still being cutting-edge over 2 decades later. Any mention of black market organs, artificial intelligence, and space habitats in the same book, nonetheless series, is likely to get nerds drooling.
2. Enemy Mine by Barry Longyear
)In the late 21st century the humans are at war with a reptilian humanoid race, the dracs. After a human and drac pilot crashland on Fyrine IV the two eventually learn how to cooperate in order to survive the harsh environment.
Why nerds love it:
War, the future, and interspecies relations are just a few reasons why Longyear’s novella is loved by so many. But the interspecies relations which can be seen as a metaphor for struggles between our own human racial groups is why this novella has become so famous.
1. The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert
)The Dune Chronicles is a series of books about a desert planet, Arrakis, in a time some 20,000 years in the future. The human race is now scattered across many planetary systems with ongoing battles between aristocratic houses. Arrakis is home to a spice called melange which is used in both space travel and longevity. As the series moves on the planet and aristocratic rulers change, but one thing remains, the importance of Arrakis.
Why nerds love it:
Space travel, longevity, super humans, all in a time when aristocrats are at war for power. Herbert blends politics, finance, and religion into one of the finest science-fiction masterpieces. The first novel of the series, Dune, was the first recipient of the Nebula Award for best novel and remains the best-selling science fiction novel in history. Of course, that isn’t so much why nerds love it as it is how much nerds love it.
Do you have other favorite nerdy books? Tell us what they are in the comments.
Written: Apr 10, 2009
Maureen
April 13, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
How about the Harry Potter series?
I have read most of your list; and yes, I AM a nerd. What else would you call a woman with a huge Star Wars collection, and SW convention speaker who has worked with many of the stars of Star Wars? Yep, Nerdy Me.
I also have Pirates, LOTR and HP collections… Gad.
Janet
April 14, 2009 @ 10:08 am
I haven’t read them all but I was blown away by the Ender series. I adore Orson Scott Card anyway (is his Alvin Maker series too fantasy-ish for the list?)
John | English Wilderness
May 6, 2009 @ 11:05 am
I haven’t read 7, 4, 2 or 1 but I’ve read and enjoyed the others. I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned anything by Philip K. Dick or John Wyndham.
At least 4 of the books you mentioned can be considered dystopian. Here’s a couple I’d recommend:
John Brunner, The Stone That Never Came Down
Anthony Burgess, The Wanting Seed
If you’ve read them, let me know what you think
Jered Gaspard
May 12, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Neal Stephenson – Snow Crash. Very Neuromancer-ish, but has a nice flavor all its own.
Rebenga
May 12, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
Maureen: Because J.K. Rowling and her “books” are not deserving enough to even smell the shit of any of the authors or books on this list, much less be on it. Ms Rowling is a hack, a talented hack who managed to publish a crappy novel at the precise time the world needed it.
The novels on this list will be remembered in a hundred years. Harry Potter and his band of merry monsters-of-the-week will not be.
Rya
May 12, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
Seriously the only difference between Fantasy and Sci-Fi… Wood verses Metal.
tardisgrl
May 12, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
You had me till Starship Troopers. Awfully sci-fi heavy; not much in the way of fantasy books on this list, with “Rings” being the sole representative of the genre. How about the Earthsea trilogy by Ursela LeGuin. And no graphic novels?! Nerds love graphic novels
(well, this one does.)
Gary R. Hess
May 12, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
Meh, to each his/her own. I don’t really consider graphic novels to be books although technically they are.
As for not including more fantasy, you have a point. I guess I haven’t read enough of it to include any in the top 10. But most of these books are talked about and referenced almost daily in nerd culture. Although Earthsea is mentioned sometimes, these books are a better fit for the top 10 IMHO.
As for Starship Troopers, it is definitely a book you either love or hate. As I said in the post, it has been criticized for being many things but to some of us that just makes it more interesting.
Rezy
May 12, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Contrary to Rebenga, I think that Harry Potter’s not on here as it’s a more broadly accessible series. Almost any child and young adult you find on the street has read at least one of them. But this list is more, well, what its title says. Books that [mainly] Nerds love. :B
(I do like Harry Potter for what it is – a fairly decent book if you just want fantasy plot, not very deep and anything above what a child could read.)
But anyway, nice list.
I haven’t read 1-4, but now I want to. Though I suggest the Discworld series – anyone else agree?
Gary R. Hess
May 12, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
Terry Pratchett is most definitely one of the most talented writers of this generation.
Alice
May 13, 2009 @ 7:38 am
I’d nominate some Isaac Asamov for the list of reliable nerd-food (reading ROBOTS OF DAWN on the first day of seventh grade…a sure sign of a life-long nerdgirl).
But ultimately, let’s face it, there are many, many brands of nerd-dom. Some identify with fantasy (Ursula Le Guin, Anne McCaffrey, Phillip Pullman, C. S. Lewis, Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley), some with hard-core sci-fi, some with the Phillip K. Dick/Harlon Ellison side of anthro-sci-fi…. And ultimately, there’s room enough for all of us.
Rya
May 13, 2009 @ 11:44 am
What of Mercedes Lackey would you recommend? I started reading one series of hers and hated it cause it was all about dark magic and other crap like that. It was too modern to incorporate dark magic.
Alice
May 13, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
It’s been a while (cf 7th grade reading), but I was a fan of the Arrow’s Flight/Arrow’s Fall series.
Jim
May 14, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
If you like the style of Neuromancer (and lets face it, who doesn’t?) Alastair Reynolds is a must. His writing style is quite different, but equally brilliant. His Revelation Space series deserves a place on this list, but he doesn’t seem to be as well known as some.
By-the-by, Rowling is shockingly bad.
Rick
May 14, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
I’d add “The Diamond Age or a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer” by Neal Stephenson, where a sudden explosion of nanotechnology has changed humanity forever, Confucian judges sip tea in demon-proof teahouses, the upper-class get their newspapers on actual paper. Sensible, purposeful upbringing turns thousands of unwanted Chinese girls into the world’s new guardians of civility, data-tribes with moving tattoos live in hives under the ocean, and diamond is cheaper to make than glass. Plus, it has a character named “Dr. X,” which Stephenson actually pulls off without corniness. I re-read the book three times. In a row. It was that good. Stephenson is an absolute genius. Every fantastical technology he describes makes you wonder, “Hey, we could be doing that NOW! Why aren’t we doing that now?” As well as, “We could be doing THAT now! I hope we never do that!”
The evolution of culture and technology is described in such a way that you see both the positive and negative aspects of “matter compilers,” and other instant-gratification technology, hefty helpings of both, in a wholly believable way. It’s actually a little disturbing HOW believable it is.
I’d rank “The Diamond Age…” just below the Dune Chronicles and only SLIGHTLY below HHGTTG, just because I’m a geek and Douglas Adams and Frank Herbert are geek saints who deserve their proper respect. I believe one day, Stephenson will join the roll-call of geek-saints. Hopefully not too soon, though. I’d like to see him write quite a few more books.
The same goes for Terry Pratchett, who rivals, sometimes even (dare I say it?) exceeds Adams with his wit and insight.
Rick
May 14, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
Wow. Sorry, I didn’t mean to write a review. I couldn’t tell how long it was. Cheers!
Mike
May 14, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
All the sci-fi is good and all but a true nerd needs some diversity.
Chuck Palahniuk books are extremely creative and thoughtful. I’d highly recommend Fight Club, Choke, Survivor and Haunted or really anything he has written.
Konraden
May 18, 2009 @ 3:15 am
I’m pretty surprised Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series isn’t on there. It’s basically a series on the development of religion, and it’s all sci-fi awesomeness. Definitely on my top five list.
John
May 22, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
I feel that most of the Michael Crichton novels are nerdish b/c of all the science, and math, and sci-fi that goes into these books. I love every single book he wrote (that i’ve read so far) and am truly saddened by his passing. Because with him dieing the world lost a great and amazing writer.
R.I.P Michael Crichton 1942-2008
Matt
May 23, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
ROBERT JORDAN
Jeff
May 25, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Starship Troopers is excellent, in that it expounds a society that is ran only by those willing to die for it.
Others by R.A.H. that I would think appeals to nerds is Time Enough For Love, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and Stranger in a Strange Land. Oh, and let’s not forget Pixel and friends in The Cat Who Walks Thru Walls.
Asimov’s got lots of stuff that qualifies, perhaps, but I think the short “The Last Question” is best suited. It ranks as #1 on my personal list of top 10 loved-by-nerds/geeks.
Kla
May 26, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
No Harry Potter? Bummer. I love all the books on the list, but no Potter? Really…?
Gary R. Hess
May 26, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
As said earlier in the comments, Harry Potter isn’t a nerd series, that is why it isn’t on the list. It is a teeny-bopper book series.
kristina
June 1, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
everyone has heard of 1984, but if you want a well hidden secret you should read We. Writen before 1984 Orson scott card based his story on We.
illmunkeys
June 1, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Alas. Graphic novels can rank up there with books… They are just few and far between. Watchman actually made the Times 100 Greatest Novel list. Maus is pretty darn good, although not really nerd material… though it being a graphic novel does lend it some nerd cred. The Dark Knight Returns is some seriously good reading as well.
The Dune Chronicles is my favorite series of books (although if his son and Anderson keep writing sequels I’ll just keep not buying them and maybe one day everyone else will too). I think I’d put in the Gormenghast novels (Mervyn Peake), the Left Hand of Darkness (Ursula K Le Guin), The Man in the High Castle or Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (Phillip K. Dick), Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson), and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (Haruki Murakami). Of your list I’d keep Hitchhikers Guide to the Galacy, Fahrenheit 451, LOTR (I don’t really like the novels as much as the idea behind the novels, but they do deserve mention), and Enemy Mine. I’d give an almost top ten to Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke), A Song of Ice and Fire (George R. R. Martin… just the first… the series kind of meanders from there), and pretty much a toss up for anything by Neil Gaiman.
Paul B. Paine
June 7, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
The book called “Armor”. Similar to Starship Troopers but superior in every way!