I heard an interesting interview on NPR relating to genre fiction and how it is "maligned" these days.  Anyway, the guest made the point the Ursula le Guin is a great writer, yet her books don't get the respect they deserve because they are relegated to the sci-fi section. 

It inspired me to check her out and I am curious what is considered her best book - i don't care if it is sci-fi based or not, just interested in a good story, good characters, well written.

I love Ursula K. LeGuin!   The Earthsea books are wonderful.  The first is A Wizard of Earthsea.

I just picked up a couple of her books at the thrift store for 25-cents each and have one on the way from here at PBS. I got them for my dd who is an avid fantasy reader but I'm tempted to read them myself, although it would be a different genre than I usually read. Would love to hear from others who have read some of her stuff and what they think.

The Left Hand of Darkness is my choice for a first read of this author.  I have reread it a few times over the years and I never grow tired of the ideas and writing therein.

I think it is a fantastic book, it tells the story of two different societies on two planets and the conflicts between a utopia and a collective type society.  I got the book from my hubby when we first met and I was challenged and entertained at the same time.  It makes some strong points about human nature and what we believe in.  I don't know how else to describe it but I would highly recommend it.

she is best  known for the Wizard of Earthsea, it has a total of four books in it and it is a YA fantasy.  There was a mini series made of it for Scifi Channel about 1999 or so, good too.   I have some of these on my bookshelf if you are interested. :)

I also love the Earthsea books - I actually think there are 5 or 6 of them now. She also has an interesting (and long) futuristic earth novel called Always Coming Home. But I wouldn't choose it as a place to start with her.