Well, without knowing Thomas Lombardo's exact list, I can name a few that are often on best - of - lists. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is a great one. It explores a future society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for specific roles. Then there's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams, which is a hilarious and imaginative take on the universe, filled with strange aliens and absurd situations.
It's difficult to say for sure what Thomas Lombardo thinks are the best. But 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is a classic. It presents a grand vision of a future galactic empire and the science of psychohistory. Also, 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is a popular choice. It delves into the training of children for war in a future where humanity is at risk from an alien threat.
Maybe 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It has a really interesting cyberpunk - like world with a lot of cool technological concepts. It's set in a future where the real world and a virtual metaverse co - exist in a complex way.
Well, 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is often considered a top sci - fi novel. It explores themes of gender and society in a unique alien world. 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons is also amazing. It weaves together multiple stories in a far - future, interstellar setting. And 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is a great read. It has a wild mix of cyberpunk elements, linguistics, and a really interesting take on a post - apocalyptic future.
In my opinion, 'Ancillary Justice' stands out. The unique perspective of the story, told from the point of view of a former part of a sentient ship, is really fresh in the sci - fi genre. The world - building is detailed and complex, and it also delves into issues of power, identity, and what it means to be human in a very interesting way.
Some of the best 2017 sci - fi novels include 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting take on a galactic empire starting to crumble. Another great one is 'Autonomous' by Annalee Newitz which delves into issues like intellectual property and biotechnology in a sci - fi setting.
Well, 'The Martian' is a top pick. It's really gripping as we follow Mark Watney's struggle to stay alive on Mars using his scientific knowledge. Then there's 'Ancillary Justice'. The way it plays with concepts of identity through its AI - centric story is quite fascinating. Also, 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really strange and alluring setting in Area X, where a team of scientists goes in to explore and things get very weird and dangerous.
Some of the great ones include 'Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee. It has a complex and unique world - building with a military - focused plot. Another is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead which uses a sci - fi element in the form of a literal underground railroad to tell a powerful story about slavery and freedom.
'Axiom's End' by Lindsay Ellis is also a notable 2020 sci - fi novel. It tells a story about first contact with an alien species. It explores themes like government secrecy, family relationships, and the far - reaching consequences of making contact with beings from another world. The characters are well - drawn and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Well, 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a notable 2016 sci - fi novel. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground in a somewhat alternate - history, science - fiction way. It's a very powerful and thought - provoking read. Also, 'Luna: New Moon' by Ian McDonald is great. It's set on a colonized moon and delves into political intrigue and power struggles among the lunar colonies.
Some of the best sci - fi novels in 2022 include 'Leviathan Falls' by James S. A. Corey. It's the final book in the Expanse series and offers a thrilling conclusion to the epic space opera. Another great one could be 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir. It takes readers on an exciting journey through space with a unique and engaging plot.
Some of the best 2019 sci - fi novels include 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a great follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' with its exploration of a dystopian future. Another one could be 'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz, which plays with time travel and feminist themes. And 'Recursion' by Blake Crouch is also quite good, dealing with mind - bending concepts of memory and time.