My first contact with asimov came in 5th grade. My teacher was an absolute nut for his writing, and he would read to us in class time. The next year I read some for myself, but since that time I haven't been much for the sciencey writing. Mainly because, as you suggested Vin, they often concentrate too much on the technical. I just want a cool story, with some foresight, and a little bit of android love and a comment on 'human nature'. Heh. The kind of bicentennial man approach. Or contact.

Avhan was really into the Terry Pratchett. Apparently his stuff is hilarious.