Interesting list. I've read most books in it. There's a bit too much listening to literary critics in there - e.g. Mieville is skilled writing, but it is not SF

Interesting list. I've read most books in it. There's a bit too much listening to literary critics in there - e.g. Mieville is skilled writing, but it is not SF - not really. Add in Neal Asher for the 2000s. Breakneck action space opera, wily AIs, disgusting wildlife, rarely a dull moment, Banks on speed. Also, almost any Vance is bound to be enjoyable, after you acquire the taste (the P.G.Wodehouse of SF, not that it is comic, more of a sardonic tone). And yeah, Lem, The Cyberiad, the non-existing-book reviews, whatever. Also, Pierre Boulle, amazingly unknown in spite of the movies (Les Jeux de l'esprit should be mandatory reading in some sophomoric circles.)