149.Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham

A biochemist discovers an anti-aging compound when running tests on a lichen found in Manchuria. The moral, legal and ethical implications of giving people injections of a substance that will extend their life expectancy to two hundred years causes grave consequences.

147. Chocky by John Wyndham

At first, Matthew's parents think that Chocky is his "imaginary friend". But events lead them to a deeper understanding of the being that he communicates mentally with.

142. The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham

When the village of Midwich is visited by a strange silver, egg shaped object, all its inhabitants are put to sleep for about 48 hours. Days after this incident it comes to light that all of the women of childbearing age are pregnant - over sixty of them. The babies all look alike,with golden eyes, white hair and translucent skin, and have a central consciousness. What one boy learns, all the boys learn; what one girl knows all the girls know.

141. The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Following a meteor shower, everyone who witnessed it goes permanently blind. Add to that the proliferation of "triffids" which are tall, intelligent, venomous, mobile plants that prey on humans and you've got an apocalyptic sci-fi horror story.

137. The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

On their honeymoon cruise, journalists Mike and Phyllis Watson are eyewitnesses to odd red fireballs that fall from the sky into the ocean. Months later, ships start suddenly vanishing in tropical seas. The Russians blame the capitalists who suspect the Russian. The reactions of world governments and individuals are entirely believable in this sci-fi tale of monstrous beings lurking in the deeps.

136. Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell

First published in 1949, when Britain had been through two brutal wars in the previous 35 years, this novel is set in a world where war continuously rages. Throughout this dystopian tale, Orwell introduces a new language, Newspeak and unforgettable characters like Winston Smith and Big Brother.

128. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

A post-apocalyptic story centering around a group of young people that have the ability to communicate by thought-pictures. Their society abhors and destroys anything that strays from the norm, so when their gift becomes known they must flee to the "fringes" where mutants live in exile.

126. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Imagine a world where firemen start fires and books are outlawed. Technology like Seashell ear radios and giant flat screen tv walls were predicted by Bradbury in this 1953 dystopian novel.