Yeah. I remember grabbing 'em as soon as they came out. After the last few... eh.
What I liked was the plot interwoven with technical stuff. It was almost poetry in some cases (yes, I'm such a nerd).
Back on topic, more or less, I think I'd want something inspirational... Heinlein's "Space Cadet" for example. Although it's unlikely there would be smart seals with advanced chemistry degrees available to help me repair my airplane, I do think it'd help me get in the right frame of mind for survival. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />