The Uplift Saga

No science fiction list would be complete without the inclusion of a science fiction mystery that morphs into an action adventure. Published in 1987 Startide Rising won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards and The Uplift War won the Hugo and Locus awards. Most series teach you how to read them during the process of reading them. Brin elected to use the mystery format as a vehicle to launch his Uplift Saga. This worked well in the first book but required Brin to move to an action adventure style for later books. Familiar themes in Brin's series include ecology, genetic diversity, slavery and issues with religion that result in genocide. There are six novels in the Uplift Universe with the author stating there will be at least one more. You should read Brin as a continuum of the works of earlier writers who challenge moral and legal constructs. Escape your slacker tendencies and get busy reading. there are 6 books in the saga made up up two trilogies with the first book functioning as a backstory that sets the stage for the following two books in the first trilogy. Book 4 is the start of another sequel trilogy.