Well, then Greg Egan is definitely your man. No other science fiction author comes close to the advanced level of physics/cosmology he directly deals with in his fiction.
I would say avoid the field altogether, don't waste your time on it, and concentrate on science non-fiction. Much more interesting, imaginative, and mind-bending. But if you must, then have a look at some of the works of Stanislaw Lem, who is much funnier than Douglas Adams, and philosophically...
Just to return to the subject of this thread ... some more science fiction authors whose books I have enjoyed (don't actually read sci fi anymore):
Jules Verne
H G Wells
J G Ballard
Phillip K Dick
Olaf Stapledon
Michael Moorcock
Gene Wolfe
Anthony Burgess
Samuel Delaney
Boris/Arkady...
Well exactly. I don't think sexual preference(s) can be chosen: it just happens. But sexual behaviour can be controlled. And if the preference (fantasy, perversion, call it what you will) involves little girls, then there is a moral obligation not to turn it into a behaviour! I think Lewis...
OK, but consider this. Heidegger was a f***ing Nazi, but his philosophical work was brilliant. Lewis Carroll (probably) had a sexual attraction for little girls, but his fiction was marvellous. Lovecraft was a racist son of a b*tch, but his writings were amazingly imaginative. I think you should...