I have not read “Years of rice and salt”. I heard about it on NPR a very long time ago and always meant to pick it up. Thank you for reminding me. I don’t care if it isn’t strictly sci-fi. I enjoy regular novels too. The choice can be overwhelming though so I’m usually prone to stay with sci-fi. A questionable thing to do…
I haven’t read War of the World yet. I’m not sure if I’d enjoy it after watching the movie.
I’ve almost read left hand of darkness once. I might as well add “The dispossessed” to my reading list as well. Thanks!
As a moroccan, I cannot , in good conscience, not read something about carpets. More seriously, the premise intrigues me. Consider it added to my list.
Tuf voyaging, childhood’s end and "The moon is a harsh mistress"are also in.
I’ve read the asimov books you recommend (in fact, those are the very 2 books that got me into scifi to begin with. Odd?). While I enjoy Star Trek books a lot more than the show, I’m not sure I’ll pick one up.
I have read those Dan Simmons books and they were indeed good (though the hyperion series kinda dragged out after the first book).
I have read every single Bujold book in existence and will continue to do so until her death or mine (preferably hers…). I’ll get “The free lunch” though.
I’ll get fledgling , camouflage, old twentieth and the forever war for good measure.
And the bug wars. And old man’s war.
And well, I think I already picked way too many books.
Ok, I’ll also get dies the fire but that’s it…
Let’s count the books:
Oh wow. 15. I’ll have to cut a few out 
And here I was worried about not getting enough suggestions…
Well, many thanks to all of you for your fantastic suggestions. I’m surprised no one recommended anything by Neal Stephenson by the way. Just as well, I’ve already read most of his stuff anyways.
if I remember, I’ll reopen this and let you all know what I thought of the books I buy. Take care!