The Culture novels comprise (in publishing and
mostly chronological order):
Consider Phlebas (1987)
The first Culture novel. Its protagonist is working for the religious Idiran Empire against the Culture. A rich, although basically linear story about rescuing one of the artificial sentiences of the Culture, it takes place against the backdrop of the galaxy-spanning Idiran War.
The Player of Games (1988)
A brilliant though bored games player from the Culture is entrapped and blackmailed to work as a Special Circumstances agent in the brutal interstellar Empire of Azad. Their system of society and government is entirely based on an elaborate strategy game.
Use of Weapons (1990)
A non-linear story about a Culture mercenary called Zakalwe. Chapters describing his adventures for Special Circumstances are intercut with stories from his past, where the reader slowly discovers why this man is so troubled.
The State of the Art (1991)
A short story collection, mostly not connected with the Culture, but including two short stories and the eponymous title novella, set within this universe. The novella deals with a Culture mission to Earth during the 1970s.
Excession (1996)
Culture Minds discover an Outside Context Problem, something so strange it could shake the foundations of their civilization.
Inversions (1998)
This is apparently a Special Circumstances mission seen from the other side – on a planet whose development is roughly equivalent to that of 13th Century Europe. Inversions is not labelled as "A Culture Novel", but is widely regarded as being set in the same universe.
Look to Windward (2000)
Semi-sequel to Consider Phlebas. The Culture has interfered in the development of the Chel with disastrous consequences. Now, in the light of a star that was destroyed 800 years previously during the Idiran War, plans for revenge are being hatched.
Matter (2008)
Djan Seriy Anaplian, a Special Circumstances agent, returns to her war-torn feudal world. The Culture has to decide whether or not to involve itself in this world's problems.
Surface Detail (2010)
A former slave, who was murdered by her owner and then reincarnated through the intervention of a Culture ship, seeks revenge against the larger background of a plot within a war between the virtual and real worlds over the future of virtual Hells.