Blindsight by Peter Watts is an excellent book. The author, a biologist, describes the contact between humans and aliens.

What's your idea of "niche"?

Blindsight by Watts, because obligatory.

Eversion by Alastair Reynolds - I read and enjoyed recently, features fun twists and surprises and sci-fi craziness.

The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach - sort of space opera dystopia with a disturbing secret in the center. More focused on a twisted societies than tech.

Age of Em

Children of Time

http://www.skyhunter.com/marcs/GentleSeduction.html

Awakenings is the story of a piece of medical history, starring a relatively young Robin Williams as Oliver Sacks

Too Like The Lightning: Sci-fi/Fantasy novel with undertones of theology and philosophy. You either love it or don't.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom

time travel movie: Primer (2004)