OK, now to possibly make some enemies...
For a newbie, I'd take a look at the "SF Masterworks" (I think that's the name) currently on display in book shops. I think they're published by Gollancz, who were always the most reliable SF publisher. Everything in that series is worth reading, but be aware that some SF dates badly (like Poul Anderson's "Tau Zero"). It's also worth checking out
Worlds Without End: the site lists all the winners of awards for last umpteen years, and anything which won at least one award is worth a try. Anything winning two or more is usually a classic.
Amongst SF writers, it's generally acknowledged that the best living writer is Ursula leGuin. However, whilst all so-called SF fans should read her books, that's not the same as saying you'll like them. Start with "The Lathe of Heaven", or "The Left Hand of Darkness".
Next best is middle period Robert Silverberg. He started off as a hack, then suddenly improved immeasurably in the late sixties, and then started writing lazy fiction after a breakdown around 1977. Easiest start is probably "Lord Valentine's Castle", as it's very nearly fantasy anyway. But if you are up to a challenge, try "Dying Inside", possibly the most depressing SF book ever written. "Tower of Glass" or "A Time of Changes" are good as well.
Third is Orson Scott Card. His religion can get a little out of control in some books, but mostly it's pretty well hidden. I personally think "Speaker for the Dead" is better than "Ender's Game", but both are highly-regarded classics. EG comes first.
If you are happy to go back to older writers, start with the Big Four: Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and Ray Bradbury. Bradbury is the wild card there, being a soft writer compared to the much harder writing of the other three (I'll explain this is you need me to). Be aware that about half of Heinlein's stuff was written for teens, but is marketed as adult. For Clarke start with "Rendezvous with Rama" or "Childhood's End", with Asimov, "The Caves of Steel", and with Heinlein "Starship Troopers". Then read Joe Haldeman's "The Forever war" for SF war written by someone who actually fought in one (Heinlein worked in a dock during WW2). The list of old classics is extensive, and I might post a list later.
Also note that much of the best SF is in short story format: read as may collected sets by different writers as you can, as it will help you find writers you may like.
Peter Hamilton is mediocre writer. OK for people who don't read much, but not great writing. He also makes his books far too long for no good reason. [namedrop]Decent enough bloke though[/namedrop]. I would start with "Fallen Dragon". And whilst I enjoy Neil Asher (start with "Gridlinked"), he again is merely workmanlike, not a great writer. [namedrop]He recommended "Skinner" as the best intro to his work but I'd disagree.[namedrop]
More obscure writers/works worth reading:
Sheri S Tepper - "Grass" and "Raising the Stones" in particular.
Justina Robson - "Mappa Mundi".
Greg Egan - everything, but especially "Quarantine" and "Distress".
Adam Roberts - "On" and "Salt" in particular.
Walter Jon Williams.
Paul J MacAuley.
Iain MacDonald - "River of Gods" is now considered one of the best SF books of all time.
Stanislaw Lem - "Solaris" in particular. There is good SF written abroad as well, but little get gets translated. Len is considered to be up there with leGuin - not least by leGuin.
Richard Morgan - "Altered Carbon" and its two sequals.
Philip K Dick - a true God, but best to start with the easy stuff like "The Man in the High Castle".
More will probably occur to me.
M
