I just read about the passing of Michael Crichton. I still remember reading Andromeda Strain when I was about 10 or 11 years old. It was the first 'Adult' book I ever read, and I still remember how amazed I was with the computer technology he presented.
I've read a lot of his books, and played a few of the games based on his books, and have always enjoyed the places he took me, and the doors he opened with his questions about ethics and technology.
I highly recommend his book Next that talks about genetics, patents and the issues surrounding it.
I'm very bummed now that I won't have any more of his books to look forward too :(