Re:good hard sci-fi stuff (Score 1)

While not exactly new, Larry Niven's Known Space collection of short stories/novels is good stuff (Protector, World Of Ptavvs, Neutron Star, Ringworld, The Ringworld Engineers, others) as is his collection of Gil Hamilton/ARM stories. Concur with earlier recommendations on Dan Simmons (Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, Rise of Endymion) and David Brin (Uplift stories as well as The Practice Effect) - both authors are exceptional. I find Greg Bear to be a little less accessible, but the Eon series is good (skip The Forge of God and sequel Anvil Of Stars). And, of course, if you want nightmares, there's always Philip K. Dick....