As I barrel towards the closing page of the first manuscript in a space opera tetralogy that I started writing several years ago, I'd like to make note of some of my personal favorites of the genre. While I was outlining my own series, a childhood friend (and fellow sci-fi geek) was kind enough to give me his entire collection. Reading those many, many classics gave me a whole new understanding of science fiction literature and helped me to develop both my ideas and style in far greater detail. So in recognition of that, here's a list of "the best sci-fi books ever according to me."

Hyperion by Dan Simmons
A riveting journey across space and time as an unlikely group of pilgrims sets out on a dangerous and likely fatal mission in search of a creature that will either grant their most desperate wishes or tear them apart. Beautifully written, deeply disturbing and wildly creative. The second half, The Fall of Hyperion is intriguing as well but not quite on the same level.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
A future war story that spans the cosmos, told from the perspective of a single soldier during his thousand-plus years of service as he experiences massive jumps in humanity's social and physical evolution due to relativistic effects caused by near light-speed travel back and forth from the front lines.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi
As much as I enjoyed The Forever War, this one is even better due, in large part, to the humor that it's written with. The main characters are a bunch of sarcastic, bitchy, washed up old fogeys who volunteer for military service and are subsequently transplanted into brand new super soldier bodies. Said bodies are green with silver blood and come with a neural interface called "BrainPal" (or nicknamed "asshole" by an impressive number of those serving). Although it's got it's dramatic moments, this book is primarily funny, exciting and whimsical, and I actually laughed myself to tears while reading certain parts of it on the train (drawing several "she's batshit crazy" stares). The ending leaves me wanting much more than the single short novel we got.

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke

Blindsight by Peter Watts

Robot series by Isaac Asimov

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton

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This incredible artist's Vision Afar series offers some of the most breathtaking futuristic vistas you'll ever see. Looking at any of his colorful, sweeping sci-fi panoramas is enough to trigger months of creative writing and endless fantasies of far-off worlds.