Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

   

   Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the novel presents a future where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war, leaving most species extinct. The remaining human population has been encouraged to emigrate to off-world colonies to preserve the human race. Those who remain on Earth are tasked with maintaining the ecological balance by owning and caring for animals, replacing extinct species with mechanical replicas when necessary. The story revolves around a bounty hunter, who is tasked with "retiring" rogue androids that pose a threat to humans, and his emotional and moral struggles as he goes about his work.

2. 2. The Man in the High Castle

   

   Set in an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, this novel explores life in a world where the United States is divided into three parts: the Pacific States of America, controlled by Japan; the Rocky Mountain States, a neutral buffer zone; and the United States of America, controlled by Nazi Germany. The story follows several characters, including a jewelry designer, a trade minister, and a German secret agent, as they navigate this dystopian reality. The narrative is further complicated by the existence of a banned novel that depicts an alternate reality where the Allies won the war, causing characters to question their understanding of reality.

3. 3. Ubik

   

   Set in a futuristic world, the novel follows Joe Chip, a technician at a psychic agency, who becomes trapped in a reality-altering phenomenon after a mission on the Moon goes wrong. As his reality begins to unravel, Chip and his colleagues find themselves in a bizarre world where time seems to be moving backward and a mysterious product called "Ubik" appears to be the only thing that can save them. The book explores themes of reality, entropy, and human perception in a surreal and often humorous manner.

4. 4. Martian Time Slip

   

   "Martian Time Slip" is a science fiction novel set in a future where humans have colonized Mars. The story follows a group of characters, including a repairman, a government official, and a schizophrenic boy, as they navigate the complexities of Martian society and the challenges of living on a harsh and unforgiving planet. Through their experiences, the book explores themes of time manipulation, mental illness, and the struggle for survival in an alien environment.
5. 5. The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch

   

   "The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch" is a mind-bending science fiction novel set in a future where humanity has colonized other planets. The story follows a group of individuals who become entangled in the mysterious and hallucinatory world of a powerful drug called Chew-Z. As they navigate through the blurred lines between reality and illusion, they must confront their deepest fears and question the nature of existence itself. With its thought-provoking themes and intricate plot twists, the book explores the boundaries of perception, identity, and the human condition.

6. 6. A Scanner Darkly

   

   In a dystopian future where the government wages war on drugs, undercover agent Bob Arctor is assigned to infiltrate a group of drug addicts. But as he becomes more entangled in their lives, Bob's own addiction to the highly addictive Substance D starts to blur the lines between reality and hallucination. As Bob's mental state deteriorates, he must navigate a world of paranoia, deception, and his own fractured identity, questioning the nature of truth and the consequences of his actions.

7. 7. VALIS

   

   The novel follows a mentally unstable man who begins to experience visions after being hit by a mysterious pink light. Convinced the light is a divine entity named VALIS, he and his friends embark on a quest to understand and communicate with it. As they delve into philosophy, religion, and science, the boundaries between reality and delusion begin to blur, leaving both the characters and the reader questioning the nature of existence.

8. 8. Time Out Of Joint

   

   In "Time Out Of Joint," a seemingly ordinary man named Ragle Gumm lives a mundane life in a small town, unaware that his reality is a carefully constructed illusion. As strange occurrences and inconsistencies start to unravel around him, Ragle begins to question his existence and the truth behind his surroundings. With the help of a mysterious young woman, he embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of his world and his true identity, leading to a mind-bending revelation that challenges everything he thought he knew.

9. 9. Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick

   

   This collection of short stories showcases the author's unique blend of science fiction and philosophy. Ranging from dystopian futures to alternate realities, the stories explore themes such as the nature of reality, human identity, and the impact of technology on society. The author's work is known for its complex narratives, thought-provoking themes, and vividly imagined worlds, all of which are on full display in this anthology.
10. 10. Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said

    

    In a dystopian future, Jason Taverner, a famous television star, wakes up one morning to find that he has been erased from existence. With no identification or records, he becomes a fugitive and is relentlessly pursued by the police. As he navigates through a world where his former life no longer exists, Jason must confront the truth about his identity and unravel the mysteries surrounding his disappearance.

11. 11. Dr. Bloodmoney

    

    Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the novel explores the lives of survivors after a nuclear catastrophe has ravaged Earth. The story intertwines the fates of various characters, including a phocomelic radio personality who broadcasts from a satellite, a young girl with telepathic abilities, and the eponymous Dr. Bloodmoney, a sinister scientist whose experiments may have contributed to the disaster. As the survivors navigate a transformed society filled with strange mutations and remnants of the past, they confront the challenges of rebuilding civilization and the complexities of human nature in the face of existential threats.