Based on your first article if you like Terry Pratchett you should check out Neil Gaiman.Great stuff. In my opinion he's up there with Vonnegut . And if you enjoy authors that speak on philosophy and/or politics and/or social issues definitely check out Heinlein.  His works are all in the science fiction genre so if you aren't into that don't let that deter you.  He had some very intriguing and interesting views.

 I notice you mentioned you just finished reading an Orson Scott Card novel.  Which novel was it? And what did you think? I immensely enjoyed Ender's Game which I think is his one and only masterpiece.  All of his other books I found to be far inferior and not very enjoyable to read, unfortunately.  His characters all end up being black and white with no depth at all.  You can predict what they will do in every situation!

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I actually just finished Neverwhere and am reading Fragile Things right now, so yes, I know Gaiman. And adore Vonnegut. And since my first Pratchett book, I have read many, many more.

I wish I could tell you which Card book it was--although this was only originally published, I actually wrote it about five years ago as part of a grad school application--and so I just don't remember. Probably one of the Shadow books?

And I love Card. Speaker for the Dead is probably my favorite, but I really think he may be America's best writer working right now.

And if you're a science fiction guy, you might be interested in this (originally published by Quantum Muse).

Thanks for the feedback!

I have an old Sci-Fi book called "The Man in The Maze". I have read it at least three times in my life.  It was written by Robert Silverberg.