This might not be the best place to ask because so many people here prefer science fiction to regular fiction. I've noticed that people who prefer science fiction have a very different idea of what makes good science fiction than people who have no preference or who prefer regular fiction.

Most of what I see in the other comments is on the "prefers science fiction" side, except for things by LeGuin and maybe Dune.

Of course, you might turn out to prefer science fiction and just not have realized it. Then all would be well.