Stories NOT about “saving the world”
I was curious to know about scifi (or scifi-like) books/other written material with plots that do not revolve around a “saving the *insert*” kind of thing. I’m currently listening to Project Hail Mary after watching the movie, and am enjoying it. But after having read/watched/listened to scifi stories that are mostly about either saving the Earth, the galaxy, the human race, or a group of soldiers or astronauts, or all of the above, I’m finding myself wanting to experience a story that is maybe less action-packed or tense, but still set in a science fiction-y world or atmosphere (in whatever form that might take).
I watch a lot of films and I enjoy drawn-out, “intellectual” stories (Solaris or 2001) but I’d like to also foray into more down-to-Earth and light stories. I usually get my scifi-fix through movies, shows and video games, and have read only 10 or so scifi books since I was a teenager.
Please feel free to share your examples or other comments on scifi-related storytelling!