Iain M Banks and the Culture Series

[jedi472]

Hey all! I've recently discovered Iain M Banks' works, specifically his stories set in his Culture universe. I've gotten through Use of Weapons and The Player of Games, and I am frankly blown away at how wonderfully thoughtful and engaging his views of a post scarcity galactic civilization and its people are. The sociopolitical and cultural aspects being as important, if not moreso, than the technology that enables the society is fascinating, and in those regards it outstrips a lot of what I'd previously considered to be extremely progressive science fiction.

Has anyone else read or enjoyed these excellent books?