Many books from Science and Science Fiction genres foretell the future and serve as cautionary tales that demand we think about our actions and the way we live today.  Here are a few of those thought-provoking titles.  [This list originally published on Tech Insider.]

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

Combining science and historical context, Kolbert documents the wake humans are leaving in their path.

This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein

Klein argues that the climate crisis demands a radical change in the “free market” economic system and global politics.

In 100 Years: Leading Economists Predict the Future edited by Ignacio Palacios-Huerta

10 prominent economists offer their thoughts on the twenty-second century.

Physics of the Future: How Scientists Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100 by Michio Kaku

Kaku a theoretical physicist discusses developments in technology, medicine, travel and more that are poised to happen over the next 100 years and the effect they will have on the world economy.

The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World in the Next 5, 10, and 20 Years by James Canton

Canton predicts future trends in business, technology, environment, terrorism, population and medicine.

1984 by George Orwell

Set in an imaginary future where there are thought police. This book keeps getting closer and closer to reality.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Citizens choose trivia over books and ideas and give control of their minds and lives to a totalitarian state.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Huxley’s masterful dystopian tale remains relevant and thought-provoking to this day.

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

What if computers become self-aware and take control over humans?

A Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

A human being, raised on Mars, returns to Earth and struggles to understand human nature.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to​ be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ​picks! Tell us what you'd recommend: Leave a comment or email us.