If there is any definition one could apply to science fiction, it would be the attempt to challenge not only one’s perception of the future but of their present-day reality as well. While keeping this in mind, there are two subgenres of sci-fi which I believe will serve as an important dichotomy between those who envision a dystopian future and those who envision utopia instead. Those two subgenres are: Cyberpunk and Solarpunk.

On one side, you have the emphasis of a dystopian setting which consists of underground body modifications, computer hacking, runaway artificial intelligence, robot rebellions, and evil megacorporations. Whereas on the other side, you have a more utopian setting. One which consists of unity, green technogaian landscapes, the proliferation of beneficial technologies, and the end of a pro-capitalist, top-down hierarchy.

Instead of emphasizing my own personal preference of one over the other, I’d much rather share a list of books that I believe will help shape your own opinion on the matter. Where do you stand: are you Cyberpunk or are you Solarpunk? You decide!