Well, I wanted to throw out one of my favorite authors, who is Mercedes Lackey. A lot of her books, especially the Valdemar series, deal with a lot of social issues. Each set of books shows a lot of difference in plot and style elements, which I really enjoy. Besides that, the stories just kind of suck me in, and really grab my attention. Anyone else read these?
Also, as to some of my other favorite authors, Elizabeth Moon is another good author. In the middle of re-reading her Deed of Paksenarrion(sp) series, which is really emotional, with both highs and lows. Its been re-issued as a set of all 3 books in a trade I believe, and well worth it in my opinion.
Also check out Anne McCaffreys series on Pern, and the Prime series. All of them good reads in my opinion.
Anyways, enough rambling, I had another thought in the middle of that. How about a 'book of the month' we read as a forum, and discuss on here? Just a thought, figured I'd see what everyone else thought of it.