By Samuel R. Delany. A bit anthropological, this series explores human interactions over several time periods and cultures. 3. Ursula K. Le Guin The Left Hand of Darkness. A noteworthy novel that explores the many impacts of sexual identity through an encounter with an androgynous alien race.

By Philip Josè Farmer. A bit anthropological, this series explores human interactions over several time periods and cultures.

By Ursula K. Le Guin. A noteworthy novel that explores the many impacts of sexual identity through an encounter with an androgynous alien race.

By Roger Zelanzy. Humans just about destroyed Earth until an alien species stepped in to help. This is a post-apocalyptic novel that also deals with history, myth, politics, and the ruling class.

By Frank Hubert. This is an award winning and best selling series that addresses issues of empire by exploring ideas and interactions of politics, religion, technology, humanity, and the environment.

By C.S. Lewis. This is the first novel in The Space Trilogy and takes place on Mars. This novel, and the sequels, explore religious and philosophical questions rather than scientific ones.

By Orson Scott Card The first in a long series of novels that have hard science elements, but the emphasis on character, the concern with the impacts on society, and the thorough philosophical inquiries of the series make it a great example of Soft Sci Fi.

By Lois McMaster Bujold. A long running and award winning series that mixes politics, romance, medical ethics, personal identity, and hierarchies.

By Ray Bradbury. A novel that is also an alternate history where books have become censored to the point that they are all burned. It is a novel that touches on some societal issues including the complacency of society and the alienation of people by media.

By Brian Aldiss. An example of Soft Sci Fi that doesn't pay particular attention to scientific theories—Earth has locked its rotation and cobwebs connect the Earth and moon, humans have shrunk, plants have become omnivores, and there are only four species of animals left.