I’ve read most of the SF on this list so I’ll throw out my other recommendations:
I like Chambers’ Wayfarers series but IMO Closed and Common Orbit is the best one.
Another recent book that stuck with me is Tchaikovsky’s Elder Race, which is told from two perspectives as both a sci fi and a fantasy story. It’s great and a quick read.
I enjoyed All Systems Red but for whatever reason have no desire to read the sequels. Same with Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. Both good stories but something about the settings just didn’t pull me in.
And I can never help but plug the Vorkosigan saga, which started in the 80s but still has a few recent books. Anyone who hasn’t read them should start with the early books though.
A Memory Called Empire is another great one that I’m actually surprised isn’t on this list.
Tchaikovsky is probably better known for his novels (eg Children of Time) but I second your recommendation of The Elder Race. It's one of my favorite science fiction/fantasy novelas. The other one that really stuck with me and that I randomly think about from time to time (which IMO is the sign of a good thought provoking one!) is The Merchant and the Alchemists Gate, which in included in Exhalation from the list.
Edit: I'll also mention that Network Effect is my fav in the Murderbot Series, the novel length was a nice change of pace. Id avoided the series for a while because the name sounded cringy, but I'm glad I finally gave it a shot.
I like Chambers’ Wayfarers series but IMO Closed and Common Orbit is the best one.
Another recent book that stuck with me is Tchaikovsky’s Elder Race, which is told from two perspectives as both a sci fi and a fantasy story. It’s great and a quick read.
I enjoyed All Systems Red but for whatever reason have no desire to read the sequels. Same with Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie. Both good stories but something about the settings just didn’t pull me in.
And I can never help but plug the Vorkosigan saga, which started in the 80s but still has a few recent books. Anyone who hasn’t read them should start with the early books though.
A Memory Called Empire is another great one that I’m actually surprised isn’t on this list.