What Are the Best Sci-Fi Titles Written by Women?

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"I came into science fiction at a very good time, when the doors were getting thrown open to all kinds of more experimental writing, more literary writing, riskier writing. It wasn't all imitation Heinlein or Asimov. And of course, women were creeping in, infiltrating." —Ursula K. Le Guin

Even while many regard Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as the first work of science fiction, the world of sci-fi is overwhelmingly dominated by men, writers and readers alike.  If you take a peek at NPRs (now very outdated) Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books, you'll find you have to scroll down to number 20 before you hit a title written by a woman. Much has been written on the topic of representation, and while it's important, that is not what we are aiming to discuss today. Today is about celebrating the women of science fiction.

While the numbers of women publishing in science fiction may be small, among them there are some truly outstanding writers; women who have conceived of some of the smartest, most well-written works science fiction has to offer. The best of these skillfully weave social commentary into narratives that are both gripping and artfully written. In advance of International Women's Day, this week's poll asks you to consider titles in science fiction written by women. Which ones might be considered the very best?  Add your nomination(s) below and then vote on your favorite(s).

We base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!

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What is the Best Sci-Fi Title by a Woman Writer?
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6 replies
  1. Michael Irwin
    Michael Irwin says:

    I’ve been reading SciFi since before I saw the film of The Day Of The Triffids on BBC TV, back in the mid-1960s. I’ve read 6 of the 11 books listed, and consider Cyteen and Dragonflight to be the best two books. Judging by title alone, not content nor cover art, I’d go for Cyteen for its SciFi overtones of Cyborg Teenagerism!

    Reply
  2. JBL in AZ
    JBL in AZ says:

    I was only able to nominate one entry. I would add a couple others if I could:
    The Left Hand of God by Ursula K. Leguin
    Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
    Also someone probably can name a “best” title by one of these authors:
    Marion Zimmer Bradley (I know she’s great but I only read a small amount of her work years ago)
    Andre Norton (It’s been too long ago for me to name a favorite or “best” title)
    C. L. Moore
    … and others. But apparently I could only nominate one title (which was Anne McCaffrey’s first Dragonrider novel).

    Reply
  4. Linda
    Linda says:

    I have read Antidote by R.A.STEFFAN finished it one day now about to read the second one when it comes out, I wish I coadd more aurthors

    Reply
  5. Dorothy Newkirk
    Dorothy Newkirk says:

    Sheri Tepper’s books should be in the line-up. She has a very feminist and ecological bend. I have read many and my favorite is The Gate to Women’s Country.

    Reply
  6. Mark Joseph
    Mark Joseph says:

    *Sigh*

    Let’s start with the obvious: “The Martian” is by Andy Weir, who is of the male persuasion.

    Next, since the title of the article is “What Are the Best Sci-Fi Titles Written by Women?” let’s remove the fantasy titles (nothing wrong with them, but they should be in another post):

    The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
    Farseer Series by Robin Hobb
    Deryni Series by Katherine Kurtz
    The Akata series by Nnedi Okorafor
    Raksura series by Martha Wells

    Now remove the duplicates: “Beggars in Spain” is subsumed under “Beggars in Spain” by Nancy Kress (who knew?); combine the Octavia Butler nominations, the Lois McMaster Bujold Vorkosigan nominations, and the Anne McCaffrey nominations.

    Spell everything right, so it at looks as if we’re actually trying, and now there will be a nice, neat list, with plenty of space for other worthy nominations, such as:

    “Gibbon’s Decline and Fall” by Sheri S. Tepper
    “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (how is this one not already on the list??)
    “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins (ditto)
    “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
    “A Door into Ocean” by Joan Slonczewski
    “Synners” by Pat Cadigan
    Any of the Oxford time travel novels by Connie Willis, or her “Bellwether”
    “Midnight Robber” by Nalo Hopkinson
    “The Lathe of Heaven” by Ursula K. Le Guin

    Reply

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