I have been reading science fiction for well over fifty years. I grew up reading and loving Robert Heinlein. When I read John Scalzi, I hear the same voices as I heard when I read Heinlein: plausible science, "if this goes on" projections, tight plotting, snappy dialogue, and a satisfying emotional texture. Definitely pulled me in to his universe. I immediately read "Red Shirts" (also highly recommended) and have started Fuzzy Nation.