A second to troutman's Philip Jose Farmer suggestion of Riverworld. And the Hamilton book.
I really enjoy Dan Simmons:
Hyperion
Phases Of Gravity
Ilium
Frederick Pohl, The Space Merchants
Joe Haldeman, The Forever War
Robert Silverberg
Some have mentioned The Mote... by Niven Pournelle, but how about,
The Legacy Of Heorot, by the above plus Steven Barnes.
Not sure if Gene Wolfe's The Book of the new Sun is sci fi or fantasy. It sure starts out classic fantasy, but nearer the end, you would have to say it is science fiction. Anyway, I recommend, The Shadow of the Torturer to start out.
One of the books I have returned to often, and given to others to read; is maybe not so well known.
George Alec Effinger's "The Wolves Of Memory"
"Beautifully crafted, sad and funny...best yet from one of SF's distinctive voices"
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