What are the most entertaining and engaging science fiction books you’ve read?

I’m looking for books for someone who hasn’t read too much but is getting into fiction and science fiction. It’s not my preferred genre so I’m not so well versed in it.

I am not looking for the sort of books considered overly serious or pretentious high literature, praised in part because it can be difficult to read. But not something on the other end of the spectrum that becomes almost overly cliched and childlike either.

What are some science fiction books or authors you genuinely enjoy?