Gradisil: Adam Roberts – Gollancz
Not at all surprised to see this on the list. I enjoyed it a great deal.
The plot doesn't exactly grip but that's actually a strength: it's written as a history of the next hundred years of space colonization, as told (with varying degrees of reliability) by some of the key players. With some adequately plausible SF hand-waving he has the big government agencies wrong-footed by individuals, so it's very rich (or really single-minded) private citizens who inhabit the Uplands. But he's too smart to do it as a simple retread of the Wild West, and it left me with a real sense of this-is-how-it-could-really-happen.
Very original, very plausible characters (with realistic, distinct voices) and some truly fine writing.
Emotionally it didn't do much for me. I don't think I'd call it a favourite book, or go back and read it again. But it really burned some images and ideas into my mind. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.