Other virtual reality books...

he world has changed since William Gibson introduced science fiction readers to his dark, anarchistic vision of cyberspace -- most readers have now experienced some form of virtual reality (whether on the Internet, in an arcade or even at Disneyworld) -- and the punk aesthetic, while still a common feature of virtual reality stories, is no longer the only model of virtuality. For a different approach to virtual reality, readers may enjoy the following books:

Snowcrash by Neal Stephenson

The classic satirical post-punk cyberspace novel that kept all the Blade Runner trappings and made them hilarious.

Permutation City by Greg Egan

A more technical approach -- makes an attempt to address some of the actual difficulties of living entirely in the virtual.

VURT by Peter Noon

Virtual reality as an addictive drug and a waking dream -- you "jack in" by eating a colored feather.

Headcrash by Bruce Bethke

The first slacker in cyberspace; lots of silliness but kind of a down to earth approach to who might really be behind those cool mirrorshades.

Other recent books with a non-punk approach to virtual reality:

Virtual Girl by Amy Thomson
Realtime Interrupt by James P. Hogan

ack to Off the Shelf.