1. “The Martian” by Andy Weir: Follow astronaut Mark Watney as he fights for survival after being stranded on Mars.

2. “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Arthur C. Clarke: A classic sci-fi tale that explores the mysterious monolith and its influence on human evolution.

3. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card: Join young Ender Wiggin as he trains at Battle School to become Earth’s ultimate military strategist.

4. “Dune” by Frank Herbert: Set in a distant future, follow Paul Atreides on his journey to become the ruler of the desert planet Arrakis.

5. “Contact” by Carl Sagan: Join scientist Ellie Arroway as she discovers a mysterious signal from an alien civilization.

6. “Red Mars” by Kim Stanley Robinson: Dive into the detailed exploration and colonization of Mars in this hard science fiction novel.

7. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline: Immerse yourself in a virtual reality world as Wade Watts searches for an Easter egg hidden by the creator.

8. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: Embark on a hilarious journey through space with Arthur Dent and his alien friend Ford Prefect.

9. “The Expanse” series by James S.A. Corey: Set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, follow a diverse cast of characters as political tensions escalate.

10. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle: Join Meg Murry and her friends as they travel through space and time to rescue Meg’s father from the clutches of an evil force.

11. “Hyperion” by Dan Simmons: Explore the mysterious planet Hyperion through the eyes of seven pilgrims with diverse backgrounds and stories.

12. “Old Man’s War” by John Scalzi: Follow John Perry, a 75-year-old man who enlists in the interstellar colonial defense forces, as he fights against alien species.

13. “Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke: Witness the transformation of humanity under the guidance of advanced aliens known as the Overlords.

14. “The Dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin: Dive into a thought-provoking tale of two neighboring planets with contrasting socio-political systems.

15. “The Forever War” by Joe Haldeman: Join soldier William Mandella as he fights in the interstellar war against an enigmatic alien species known as the Taurans.

16. “Ancillary Justice” by Ann Leckie: Follow the journey of Breq, an AI-turned-humanoid seeking revenge in a vast interstellar empire.

17. “Starship Troopers” by Robert A. Heinlein: Experience the intense military training and interstellar war against a deadly alien species known as the “Bugs.”

18. “Neuromancer” by William Gibson: Dive into the gritty world of cyberspace and corporate espionage in this influential cyberpunk novel.

19. “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin: Explore the deep mysteries surrounding contact with an alien civilization in this Chinese science fiction masterpiece.

20. “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov: Witness the collapse and rebirth of a galactic empire through the eyes of psychohistorian Hari Seldon.

These 20 great space books will transport you to distant worlds, introduce you to fascinating characters, and expand your imagination as you celebrate the release of Disney’s new movie Lightyear. Happy reading!