A Fisherman of the Inland Sea -- Ursula K. Le Guin

People who think they don't like science fiction should really, really try Le Guin.  She (like Johnny Cash) transcends traditional genres. 

My faves from A Fisherman of the Inland Sea:

"The First Contact with the Gorgonids":  This was just a funny little story about a guy getting exactly what he deserved.  I loved it.

"The Shobies' Story" and "Dancing to Ganam":  Both stories deal with the idea of churten theory, which is basically instantaneous travel.  (As opposed to NAFAL* (Nearly as Fast as Light.))  They both explore (in a very small nutshell) the idea of personal perception changing one's environment.  I thought about both stories for days.  They're also part of her Ekumen/Hanish saga -- so now, I want to go back and read everything she's written about that world/universe in order.  It's so fascinating and absorbing -- the ideas themselves combined with her ability to create whole new worlds and cultures.  She's so great.

"Another Story or A Fisherman of the Inland Sea":  A time travel story and a love story, it's also part of the Ekumen/ Hainish group.  It's a special one.

*I knew there was no way I'd be able to explain this without blathering, so: 

From Le Guin's World: Encyclopedia: Basic Dictionary:

NAFAL drive ships use the time dilation effect as stated by Einstein's theories: a ship that moves at a speed approaching the speed of light will appear to move outside of time. Those on board will experience that only a short period of time passes by, while those outside of the ship will experience of a far longer period of time.

As an example, a four light year journey feels like "a few hours", but in fact it takes four years.