The period from the 1800s to the early 1910s saw the emergence of science fiction as a distinct literary genre.
01."Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Often considered the first science fiction novel, it tells the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation of a sentient being.
02."From the Earth to the Moon" by Jules Verne
A visionary and humorous novel that predicts the first lunar expedition, featuring a group of eccentric American gun enthusiasts who build a giant cannon to launch themselves to the moon
03."The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Though more of a horror novella, it explores the duality of human nature and the consequences of unchecked scientific pursuits.
04."Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne
Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, take readers on a thrilling underwater adventure.
05."The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells
In this novella, the Time Traveller journeys into the distant future and encounters strange societies.
06."A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain
Twain's satirical novel follows a modern-day engineer who time-travels to the days of King Arthur, using his knowledge of technology to reshape the past.
07."The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells
This novel tells the tale of Martians invading Earth, showcasing the fears of the time regarding technology and imperialism.
08."The Scarlet Plague" by Jack London
This novel is a dystopian novella, depicting a post-apocalyptic world where a pandemic has devastated society.
09."The Lost World" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This adventure novel follows the journey of a professor and his team as they discover a prehistoric world on a remote plateau.
10. "A Princess of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The first book in the Barsoom series, it introduces readers to the character of John Carter, who is transported to the planet Mars and becomes embroiled in its conflicts.