A quote from Mr Arthur C Clarke's 2010. A warning and an invitation (read the book to find out how it works).
I Like to read, watch, and listen to SF. Been to two Worldcons, and several local conventions.
The Encyclopedia Galactica project
the winners, and the nominees, probably ought to be recommended reading. They'll give you a great overview of what was considered great SF at the time it was written. Most of them stand the test of time, too.
My personal current top favorites hits, in no particular order, (and not always so great reasons):
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert Heinlein
On Stranger Tides, Tim Powers
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster
Marooned in Realtime, Vernor Vinge
Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
The Diamond Age, Neal Stephenson
Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein
When Gravity Fails, George Alec Effinger
The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell
Good Omens, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
Startide Rising, David Brin
Red Mars, Kim Stanley Robinson
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
His Girl Friday (its not SF, but I do love this movie)
Babylon 5
Return Home