[J_E_G]

This is my first post, so don't be to Harsh,

Just some thoughs on the Sci-Fi books you have mentioned

Iain M Banks - Has written may good books but has not managed to surpas Consider Pilibas which in my opinion has a similar level of emotional impact as Flowers for Algernon, and is almost as well written.
If you are looking for something similar however (but not as good) i can recommend Neal Asher and his series set in the Polity (GridLinked and The Skinner) which are okay.

Peter F Hamilton - I have read almost all of his work, and i must say i enjoyed the Nights Dawn triolgy over the Mindstar Rising Trilogy, but i think his best work has to be Fallen Dragon, which is amazing. If your looking for something similar try Richard Morgans Altered Carbon, which is amazing and you can also try some Michael Marshal Smith but he goes go Philip K Dick towards the end of his books (ie God or something from another dimension appears during a gunfight and everything goes Errol Flynn), the best MMS is however One of Us, and the scariest is his short stories called What You Make It (the first story left one of my friends in emotional shock for a week).

Adam Roberts - I have only read one of his books, Salt but it is on a par with Dune (in fact much better) and a really good read, but very depressing.

Keith Roberts - I found Pavane to be a good book but unfulfilling, i have however not been able to find anything similar anywhere else. The worst part has to be the rather contrived ending.

My favourites
Fantasy - The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
I am Legend - Richard Matheson(i think, same guy who wrote the book Stir of Echos was based on)

Sci-Fi - Philip K Dick is the daddy, but far to many to make an choice from.

Worst thing i read recently
Appleseed by John Clute - avoid this book like the plague, it should be burned with every one of Ed Greenwoods novels and then the ashes should be shot into the sun to ensure it never contaminates this planet again