Iain M. Banks wrote a succession of best-selling science fiction storiesJoseph Branston/SFX Magazine/Future via Getty ImagesThe Culture seriesIain M. Banks (Orbit Books)Iain M. Banks died more than 11 years ago, but remains a titan of modern science fiction. He wrote literary works under the name Iain Banks, but added the M for his 14 sci-fi offerings, which are known for an audacious, ground-breaking take on the space opera that transformed the genre.If you have never read any of these books but love hard sci-fi, is it worth diving in now?Short answer: yes. Longer answer: