I found this short collection of Arthur C. Clarke science-fiction short stories in a second-hand store, and found The Songs of a Distant Earth to be thoroughly enjoyable.

I often find science-fiction somewhat tedious, as there is a tendency to focus too much on technology and too little on people and societies, where the ultimate interest lies (at least by my view). Clarke, however, doesn't fall into this pattern, and all his stories are interesting and engaging. The short story format is also a good one, creating brief vignettes that give just enough of a glimpse into some other world to pose interesting thoughts or questions.