Classic Sci-Fi novels?

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card probably counts as a classic by now.

And really, everything by:

Issac Asimov

Arthur C. Clarke

Robert Heinlein

Ray Bradbury

HG Wells

Philip K Dick

Kurt Vonnegut

Douglas Adams

Terry Pratchett

William Gibson

Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles"

Hmmm... maybe page turner isn't the best word to describe it... How about Orwell's "1984" that's a page turner, but would it be classified as Sci-Fi? Ayn Rand's "Anthem."

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

We first meet David at the age of ten, when he befriends a little girl named Sophie with six toes. Even such a little deformity as this is enough to bring down the wrath of the community, led by David's tyrannical, Cotton Mather-ish father. When Sophie's secret is discovered despite David's attempts to protect her, she and her parents must flee.

http://www.sfreviews.net/chrysalids.html

The Midwich Cuckoos (Film called Village of the Damned)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Midwich_Cuckoos

Neuromancer by William Gibson or as someone else stated anything by Phillip. K. Dick, I particularly enjoyed A Scanner Darkly.

try anything by Philip K Dick. they're actually novelettes, so very short. also, Cassie suggested a great one, though if you're looking for 'classic' in terms of the era that would now be considered as going by that name, its too recent, but still one of the best books i've ever read (and i've read plenty).

In SCIENCE FICTION, here are some I would recommend:

(If you are trying to impress the the teacher you cannot go wrong with the ones I listed as CLASSICS or anything that won a Hugo or Nebula award.)

"Foundation" (1951) by Issac Asimov **** CLASSIC ****

(the first book of the "Foundation Series")

Postulates the societal change, which would accompany the expansion into the stars.

The seiries won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.

(One of the other books in the series also won a Hugo Award.)

“Dune” (1965) by Frank Herbert **** CLASSIC ****

(the first book of the “Dune Series)

(Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)

“I, Robot” (1950) by Issac Asimov **** CLASSIC ****

The book of early short stories on the subject of ROBOTS in which he postulates the

"Three Laws of Robotics". Should be read as a basis before reading the

"The Caves of Steel" (1954) by Issac Asimov

(the first of the "Robot" series / Lije Bailey mysteries)

These books are the source from which the movie "I, Robot" is drawn.

"Warriors Apprentice" (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold **** CLASSIC ****

(the first book of "The Vorkosigan Saga")

After being genetically "damaged" by a bio weapon in his mother's womb, Miles Vorkosigan overcomes prejudice to claim his birthright.

(FOUR other books in this series won Hugo awards)

"Ender's Game" (1985) by Orson Scott Card **** CLASSIC ****

"Speaker for the Dead" (1986 - the sequel to "Ender's Game") by Orson Scott Card

(Both won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)

"Starship Troopers" (1959 / 263 pages) by Robert A. Heinlein **** CLASSIC ****

(won the Hugo Award 1960)

"Stranger in a Strange Land" (1961) by Robert A. Heinlein **** CLASSIC ****

(won the Hugo Award 1962)

"Starman Jones" (1953) *** by Robert A. Heinlein

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" (1966 / 382 pages) by Robert A. Heinlein **** CLASSIC ****

(won the Hugo Award in 1967)

"The Time Machine" (1895) by H.G. Wells **** CLASSIC ****

"Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1872) by Jules Verne **** CLASSIC ****

"The Left Hand of Darkness" (1969 / 304 pages) by Ursula K. Le Guin **** CLASSIC ****

(won the Hugo Award 1970)

"The Einstein Intersection" (1967 / 142 pages) by Samuel R. Delany **** CLASSIC ****

(won the 1967 Nebula award)

“On Basilisk Station” (1993) by David Weber

(the first book in the "Honor Harrington" series)

This Space Navy series has FEMALE lead character. Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around interpersonal relationships with which you will be able to identify.

"Sassinak" (1990) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book of “The Planet Pirates trilogy”)

Has a FEMALE lead character.

"Hunting Party" (1993) by Elizabeth Moon

(first book of the "Heris Serrano” trilogy - a Space Opera)

It has a FEMALE main character.

“Once a Hero“ (1997) by Elizabeth Moon

(first book of the “Esmay Suiza” trilogy)

Another Space Navy series with a FEMALE main character.

Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around a personal struggle for identify with which you will be able to identify.

“Rissa Kerguelen” (aka “Young Rissa”) (1976) by F. M. Busby

(the fist book of the “Rissa Kerguelen and Bran Tregare” series)

Has a FEMALE lead character.

"The Planet Savers" (1958) by Marion Zimmer Bradley

(the first book of the "Darkover" series)

“For Love of Mother-Not” (1983) Alan Dean Foster

(the first book in the “Humanx” series - featuring Pip and Flinx)

"Weyr Search" (1967) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book in the "Dragonriders of Pern" series)

"The Ship Who Sang” (1969) by Anne McCaffrey

(the first book of “The Brain & Brawn Ship” series)

"Cross Time Engineer" series - (aka the "Conrad Stargard" series)

by Leo Frankowski

which begins with "The Cross Time Engineer" (1993)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Frankow%E2%80%A6

Its even better if you are POLISH as the main character is as well!

This was an eye opening look at how simple technology could transform a society.

“1632” (2000) by Eric Flint

(first book of the “Ring of Fire” alternate history series)

"Island in the Sea of Time" (1998) by S.M. Stirling.

(the first book of the "Nantucket" series)

"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein

Talents, Incorporated is available at SciPod and it is also on Project Gutenberg

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is one of my favorites.