I was trying to think of good sci-fi books to rec to
abyssinia4077on her recent post, and took a look at my bookshelves, and realised that I needed some help there myself. My sci-fi collection consists of William Gibson, more William Gibson, Doctor Who, Stargate, Dune (unread), Spider Robinson, a wonderfully trashy book called Pzyche that no one but me has read, as far as I know, and that’s about it. It’s a travesty! I do have more sci-fi books, I’m sure, but they’re at my dad’s and I can’t remember titles. I should be getting them soon, though, along with the enormous bookshelf they're in. *rubs hands gleefully*
So, knowing that there are people out there (*looks hopefully at
secretrebel*) who like to recommend books and love sci-fi, and have in fact recommended sci-fi books to me which I’ve stupidly not taken note of (I really need to be holding a pen and paper rather than alcohol when people tell me these things – oh, my lamentable memory) – what’s good?
ETA: Just for clarity, I have read Orson Scott Card, Anne McCaffrey, some Harry Harrison, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and a ton of Star Trek novels (How Much For Just The Planet rools) - and yes, I'm an ungrateful cow to ask for recs and then say, "But I've read that!" :-) (But this is making me think I should re-read Orson Scott Card, because I remember very little about those books.)
So, knowing that there are people out there (*looks hopefully at
ETA: Just for clarity, I have read Orson Scott Card, Anne McCaffrey, some Harry Harrison, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and a ton of Star Trek novels (How Much For Just The Planet rools) - and yes, I'm an ungrateful cow to ask for recs and then say, "But I've read that!" :-) (But this is making me think I should re-read Orson Scott Card, because I remember very little about those books.)

Comments
One of my favorites is the Star of the Guardian Series by Margaret Weis. You may know her as being one of the co-writers of of the Dragonlance Chronicles. It started out as a trilogy and then there was a sequel. I don't really care for the fourth book as much as the original trilogy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_the_Guardians
Also, I don't know how interested you are in reading Star Wars novels but the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn is particularly good and really captures the feel of the Original Trilogy. I also really like the X-Wing series by Michael Stackpole and Aaron Alliston which focuses on Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron. It's fun and exciting and has all the things I enjoy about wat buddy movies. Sorta like Band of Brother in the SW universe.
I should have way more recs. Perhaps they'll come to me later. : )
And... I've never been sure about starting into the SW books. I was kind of a fan some years ago, although never to a great extent - I read one or two of the Han Solo adventures (and, having just wiki'd them - there's an android called Bollux! *is twelve*), but never really wanted to get deeper.
Then again, if they're good sci-fi books, and I know the universe enough to get by... You and Kalquessa rec them, and I trust both of you. ;)