Contact by Carl Sagan: The future is here…in an adventure of cosmic dimension. When a signal is discovered that seems to come from far beyond our solar system, a multinational team of scientists decides to find the source. What follows is an eye-opening journey out to the stars to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who—or what—is out there? Why are they watching us? And what do they want with us?
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King: In the haunted city of Derry, four boys stood together and did a brave thing. Years later, the boys are now men with separate lives, but their ties endure. Each hunting season they reunite in the woods of Maine. This year, a stranger stumbles into their camp, disoriented, mumbling something about lights in the sky. Before long, the men are plunged into a horrifying struggle with a creature from another world. Their only chance of survival is locked in their shared past and in the Dreamcatcher.
The Arrival by Fred Saberhagen: Jonathan Doors. A man at the head of the world’s largest corporation, Doors International. A man of wealth and power, with the resources to change the world. The Taelons have arrived from beyond the stars on mission of mercy, to help humanity claim its destiny. Contacted by these Companions, Jonathan Doors helps introduce the aliens and their fantastic technology to the world, but there is a dark shadow behind the Taelons’ bright promises.
Arrival by Ted Chiang: In Arrival’s “The Story of My Life,” alien lifeforms suddenly appear on Earth. When a linguist is brought in to help communicate with them and discern their intentions, her new knowledge of their language and its nonlinear structure allows her to see future events and all the joy and pain they may bring. In each story of this incredible collection, with sharp intelligence and humor, Ted Chiang examines what it means to be alive in a world marked by uncertainty, but also by wonder.
To sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini: During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human. While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green: Roaming through New York City at 3 a.m., April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. April and her friend, Andy, make a video, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world and April finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight. All eyes are on April to figure out what the Carls are, and what they want from us.
Stranger in a strange land by Robert Heinlein: Prior to WWIII, the crewed spacecraft Envoy is launched toward Mars, but all contact is lost shortly before landing. Twenty-five years later, the spacecraft Champion makes contact with the missing ship and finds one survivor, Valentine Michael Smith. Raised by Martians on Mars, Valentine is a human being who has never seen another member of his species. Sent to Earth, he is a stranger who must learn what it is to be a man.
The 5th Wave by Richard Yancey: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it’s the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets mysterious Evan Walker.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu: Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over the world, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.