The Reality Dysfunction - Peter F. Hamilton (1996)

I can't stop recommending this book, because it's been my only real introduction into current SF. While the book never gets into the SF/Horror hybrid territory that you seem to be enjoying about this book, it represents a very diverse cross section of authors and sensibilities, so you're more than likely to find something to like. My favorite story featured in the book is "Beggars in Spain," by the seemingly unknown Nancy Kress, a story with a great hook and an affecting emotional core. The book has introduced me to a number of authors who I have noted to make sure that I check out once I clear my current docket, which should keep me busy for a good while, but still.

I haven't even heard of this book, though. It sounds like something I'd enjoy, so thanks for bringing it up.

Singularity Sky and its sequel, Iron Sunrise, are two of the best hard sci-fi books I have read recently. In short its about a post-singularity universe and a UN arms inspector whose job is to investigate anyone using time travel or FTL speed as a weapon to violate casuality.

I'd suggest you Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan. A mix of great sci-fi and a noir detective story. For someting light, Old Man's War was fun as hell and it's Heinlein-ish.

Alastair Reynolds writes some good stuff, although his outlook can be a little bleak.

Seconded, House of Suns is particularly impressive

Great suggestions all around. Spike, if you're enjoying the mixture of occult and SF tropes, I highly recommend both The Atrocity Archives and The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross (he's also the author of Singularity Sky and Iron Sunrise, mentioned earlier). They're about a mild mannered IT guy who winds up working for a secret branch of the British secret service, called The Laundry, that deals with the occult. The twist or hook in these novels is that spells are actually mathematical formulas or algorithms that can be used to access alternate dimensions and the denizens therein. So you can launch a particular screen saver on your laptop to establish a ward in your apartment, or use a PowerPoint presentation to summon demons. Great stuff.

Also, read anything and everything that Iain M. Banks has written. He's a sly writer, and one of the few who can excel at both universe building and character. Start with his more pulpy space operas like Consider Phlebas or Excession, or even The Player of Games. Then read Look to Windward and marvel at its prescience. Then Use of Weapons and its intricate plot and raw emotion. Then...you get the idea.

I've just about finished a really good short story collection called "The New Space Opera 2". Solid stuff. SF is so good for the short story format.

Be warned that the Hamilton series you're reading peters out a bit toward the end. The journey's worth it anyway, or at least I felt it was when I read the series a decade ago.