By Diego Pineda Pacheco, Published Aug 29, 2026, 4:29 PM EDT

Diego Pineda has been a devout storyteller his whole life. He has self-published a fantasy novel and a book of short stories, and is actively working on publishing his second novel.

A lifelong fan of watching movies and talking about them endlessly, he writes reviews and analyses on his Instagram page dedicated to cinema, and occasionally on his blog. His favorite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky and Charlie Chaplin. He loves modern Mexican cinema and thinks it’s tragically underappreciated.

Other interests of Diego’s include reading, gaming, roller coasters, writing reviews on his Letterboxd account (username: DPP_reviews), and going down rabbit holes of whatever topic he’s interested in at any given point.

1 ‘Dune’ (1965)

Far more than just one of the most influential sci-fi books of all time, Frank Herbert‘s Dune is a strong contender for the title of greatest sci-fi novel ever written, a genuinely foundational masterpiece that has only continued to get better with age. After being hired to write a magazine article about sand dune stabilization in Oregon, Herbert conducted such detailed research and was so deeply fascinated by his findings that he was inspired to write Dune.

Thematically complex, beautifully written, and as hugely imaginative as any sci-fi fan could possibly hope, Dune is a classic whose fame is entirely well-deserved. Its worldbuilding is particularly strong, dropping readers into an admirably complex and believable universe without ever over-explaining any of its rules, politics, or cultures. Arrakis and the Dune universe as a whole feel remarkably lived-in; their ecology, politics, and economics are incredibly nuanced; and the story as a whole sees its themes shine through all the more thanks to their being supported by such a riveting world.

Dune, PG-13

2 ‘Neuromancer’ (1984)

With Neuromancer, William Gibson completely revolutionized science fiction forever, and with the Apple TV television adaptation fast approaching, now seems to be about as great a time as any to check out this essential ’80s classic. One of the most prophetic sci-fi books of all time, Neuromancer redefined and popularized the cyberpunk subgenre and anticipated many elements of the modern digital age.

But whereas some prophetic sci-fi books are fun to read mostly just because they’re prophetic, Neuromancer is a classic that has aged like fine wine, one that’s still just as entertaining today as it was back when it was published. Bolstered by Gibson’s wonderfully rhythmic prose, the worldbuilding in Neuromancer makes it feel remarkably detailed and lived-in, which is precisely the kind of sensorial complexity that any sci-fi novel needs in order to be legendary.

Read more: The 10 Greatest Sci-Fi Books With the Best Worldbuilding, Ranked – Collider

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