Looking for Books to read...

[Sini]

Lois McMaster Bujold and her Vorkosigan series. If you ask my favourite authors after Robin / Megan she would be on that short list (and I second to Chris's suggestion of ASOIAF series by GRR Martin). They are funny, character centered space opera and not that much science. I'm always having hard time reading hard science fiction.

And in the spirit of Bujold, I've recently enjoyed Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War and Serrano series. So if you're in the mood of having an exciting journey through unknown galaxies with some space battles and lots of intrigue, try either of these authors.