David Brin Reading Order
17 series · 148 books · Born 1950-10-06
David Brin is an acclaimed science fiction author whose speculative fiction explores humanity's future with intellectual rigor and imaginative scope. His career spanning four decades has earned him major awards including the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Campbell, establishing him as a significant voice in the genre. Beyond his novels—including The Postman, which became a 1997 film—Brin has created extensive series spanning graphic novels, anthologies, and collaborative game worlds that demonstrate his versatility across multiple storytelling formats.
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Anthologies Series
Complete33 books (1988–2017)
This series comprises 30 science fiction and speculative fiction anthologies featuring David Brin's contributions, published between 1988 and 2016. The collection spans diverse themed anthologies ranging from classic science fiction reimaginings like War of the Worlds: Global Dispatches to genre-focused volumes such as The Hard SF Renaissance and All Star Zeppelin Adventure Stories. These anthologies should be read in publication order, beginning with Mississippi Review 47/48 and concluding with the final entry in 2016. The series is now complete.
Start with Mississippi Review 47 / 48, the first of 30 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Mississippi Review 47 / 48
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Colony High Series
Complete1 book (2007–2007)
David Brin Game Series
Complete1 book (1998–1998)
David Brin's High Horizon Series
Likely Complete2 books (2021–2021)
David Brin's High Horizon is a two-book science fiction series co-authored with Jeff Carlson, consisting of Castaways of New Mojave and Colony High, both published in 2021. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order. The books blend action and adventure elements within speculative science fiction scenarios.
Start with Castaways of New Mojave(With: Jeff Carlson) and read in order.
Start this series with Castaways of New Mojave(With: Jeff Carlson)
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Graphic Novels Series
Complete1 book (2003–2003)
Kiln Series
Complete2 books (2002–2002)
The Kiln series by David Brin consists of two science fiction novels published in 2002. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Kil'n Time followed by Kiln People. This action-packed science fiction duology explores themes central to Brin's speculative fiction work.
Start with Kil'n Time and read in order.
Start this series with Kil'n Time
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete14 books (1987–2026)
David Brin's complete non-fiction series comprises thirteen books published between 1987 and 2019, exploring topics ranging from surveillance and society to technological futures and existential questions. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Transparent Society and concluding with Polemical Judo. These works reflect Brin's characteristic blend of scientific inquiry and philosophical examination across subjects including extraterrestrial life, privacy, immortality, and societal transformation.
Start with The Transparent Society, the first of 13 books in the Non-Fiction series.
Start this series with The Transparent Society
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Out Of Time Series
Ongoing5 books (1999–2025)
David Brin's Out Of Time series comprises five science fiction adventures published between 1999 and 2025, with the sequence still ongoing. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Game of Worlds and continuing through Tiger in the Sky (co-written with Sheila Finch), Yanked! (with Nancy Kress), The Archimedes Gambit (by Patrick Freivald), and Boondoggle (with Tom Easton and Torion Oey). Several entries feature collaborative writing, blending Brin's vision with contributions from other authors in the science fiction and adventure genres.
Start with The Game of Worlds, the first of 5 books in the Out Of Time series.
Start this series with The Game of Worlds
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Ring of Fire Anthology Series
Likely Complete12 books (2004–2021)
The Ring of Fire Anthology is a twelve-book science fiction series published between 2004 and 2021, featuring contributions from multiple authors including Eric Flint, Mercedes Lackey, Virginia DeMarce, David Carrico, and others. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Ring of Fire I and concluding with 1637: The Coast of Chaos. This collaborative anthology series appears to be complete as of 2021.
Start with Ring of Fire I(By: Mercedes Lackey,Eric Flint,Dave Freer,K.D. Wentworth,S.L. Viehl,Mike Turner), the first of 12 books in the Ring of Fire Anthology series.
Start this series with Ring of Fire I(By: Mercedes Lackey,Eric Flint,Dave Freer,K.D. Wentworth,S.L. Viehl,Mike Turner)
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Second Foundation Trilogy Series
Complete3 books (1997–2000)
The Second Foundation Trilogy is a complete three-book science fiction series published between 1997 and 2000, continuing Isaac Asimov's Foundation universe with contributions from authors Gregory Benford and Greg Bear. These novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Foundation's Fear, followed by Foundation and Chaos, and concluding with Foundation's Triumph. The series expands on Asimov's original world with action-driven storytelling that bridges the gap between the first and second Foundation sagas.
Start with Foundation's Fear(By: Gregory Benford) and read in order.
Start this series with Foundation's Fear(By: Gregory Benford)
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete10 books (1989–2013)
This science fiction collection from David Brin spans ten short stories and novellas published between 1989 and 2013, with the series now complete. The works should be read in publication order, beginning with Dr. Pak's Preschool and concluding with Mars Opposition. Readers seeking Brin's shorter fiction alongside his novels will find this a comprehensive retrospective of his work across nearly three decades.
Start with Dr. Pak's Preschool, the first of 10 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Dr. Pak's Preschool
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Short Story Collections Series
Likely Complete4 books (1986–2021)
David Brin's Short Story Collections series comprises four volumes spanning from 1986 to 2021, presenting his science fiction and speculative short works in publication order. Beginning with The River of Time, the series progresses through Otherness and Tomorrow Happens before concluding with The Best of David Brin, which likely serves as a comprehensive retrospective. While the series appears complete, readers should approach each collection as a standalone anthology rather than a serialized narrative, making them suitable for reading in any order, though publication sequence provides the most chronological perspective on Brin's evolving storytelling style.
Start with The River of Time, the first of 4 books in the Short Story Collections series.
Start this series with The River of Time
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Smart Pop Series
Complete42 books (2003–2015)
Smart Pop is a series of 38 essay collections examining popular television shows, films, and franchises through cultural and analytical lenses. Published between 2003 and 2015, the series is now complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Seven Seasons of Buffy. Each volume features contributions from various authors and focuses on a different entertainment property, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel to Farscape, Serenity, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The series appeals to fans seeking critical commentary and deeper exploration of beloved sci-fi, fantasy, and drama series.
Start with Seven Seasons of Buffy, the first of 38 books in the Smart Pop series.
Start this series with Seven Seasons of Buffy
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| 3 | Five Seasons of Angel(By: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro,Peter S. Beagle,Laura Anne Gilman,Sherrilyn Kenyon,Nancy Holder,Jacqueline Lichtenberg,Jean Lorrah,Josepha Sherman,Laura Resnick,Candace Havens,Glenn Yeffeth,Michelle Sagara,Steven Harper,Amy Berner,Marguerite Krause,Abbie Bernstein,Jennifer Crusie,Don DeBrandt,K. Stoddard Hayes,Joy Davidson,Don Kerns) |
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| 13 |  The Anthology at the End of the Universe(By: Stephen Baxter,John Shirley,Adam-Troy Castro,Lawrence Watt-Evans,Adam Roberts,Susan Sizemore,Mark W. Tiedemann,Jacqueline Carey,Vox Day,Cory Doctorow,A.M. Dellamonica,Glenn Yeffeth,Selina Rosen,Amy Berner,Maria Alexander,Marguerite Krause,Bruce Bethke,Don DeBrandt,Marie-Catherine Caillava,Mike Byrne) |
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Standalone Novels Series
Complete8 books (1984–2020)
David Brin's standalone science fiction novels span from 1984 to 2020, comprising eight complete works that should be read in publication order. Each novel stands independently with its own narrative and characters, allowing readers to enter the series at any point, though following the sequence from The Practice Effect through The Ancient Ones preserves the author's creative evolution. This collection showcases Brin's versatility across action-driven adventures and speculative concepts within the science fiction genre.
Start with The Practice Effect, the first of 8 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with The Practice Effect
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Star Trek: The Next Generation Graphic Novels Series
Complete2 books (2001–2002)
This two-book graphic novel series based on Star Trek: The Next Generation was published between 2001 and 2002 and is now complete. The first installment, Forgiveness, was written by David Brin, while Kevin J. Anderson took over for The Gorn Crisis. These should be read in publication order to follow the narrative properly.
Start with Forgiveness and read in order.
Start this series with Forgiveness
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Uplift Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2002–2002)
Uplift Saga Series
Complete7 books (1980–2011)
The Uplift Saga is a seven-book science fiction series by David Brin published between 1980 and 2011, following a complete story arc. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Sundiver and concluding with Heaven's Reach, with Gorilla, My Dreams as a related work. This expansive saga explores humanity's place in a universe populated by uplifted species and ancient cosmic powers across multiple timelines and perspectives.
Start with Sundiver, the first of 7 books in the Uplift Saga series.
Start this series with Sundiver
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has David Brin written?
- David Brin has written 148 books across 17 series. Their published works span from 1980 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each David Brin series?
- Here are the first books in David Brin's series: Anthologies: Mississippi Review 47 / 48; David Brin's High Horizon: Castaways of New Mojave(With: Jeff Carlson); Kiln: Kil'n Time; Non-Fiction: The Transparent Society; Out Of Time: The Game of Worlds.
- What order should I read David Brin's books?
- We recommend reading David Brin's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is David Brin still writing new books?
- Yes, David Brin has 1 ongoing series: Out Of Time.