A much less well-known set of fiction books that might produce the same effect is a series of books based on the Myst games. It seems not too many people know of the books, but they were quite good and quite intriguing. It appears they're out of print mostly these days:

http://www.amazon.com/Myst-Atrus-Rand-Robyn-MILLER/dp/059303...

http://www.amazon.com/Myst-Book-DNi-Rand-Miller/dp/078686161...

http://www.amazon.com/Book-TiAna-Myst/dp/0786889209/