OK, I'm 36 and I've finally got around to reading Arthur Clarke's '2001..'
WHAT A GREAT BOOK! I rented the movie a few years ago and just didn't get it. Very frustrating (Kubrick often does that). Anyway, I don't know why but something just told me recently to go buy the book (must have been one of those darn monoliths)
Anyway, if you're looking for something to read that has a rich history in our popular culture, and deals with Science and Spirituality in interesting ways, check it out!