Oooo The Left Hand of Darkness... that is a *great* book.

I love LeGuin because of the anthropological/ethnographical nooks and crannies she fits into her work (considering her father was Alfred Kroeber that's no surprise!). Have you read much of her stuff? I think I love every single thing of hers I've ever read. I started with the Earthsea cycle and haven't looked back! I think The Telling, tho, is my favourite so far.