I still can't decide which book to tell people to start with. Excession was my favorite, since it features the hilariously snarky interactions between the Minds

I still can't decide which book to tell people to start with. Excession was my favorite, since it features the hilariously snarky interactions between the Minds so much more than the other books. Hydrogen Sonata was also really good for all the backstory about the Culture and the Sublime, which was only hinted at in other stories. And then there's Use of Weapons, since Zakalwe is arguable the most interesting character in the series, and the mind-blowing ending. I could go on. :) I guess my only advice to first time readers is to pick any novel and even if you don't love it immediately, read another one. The series really grows on you.