Happier SF Audible recommendations?

[ApK]

I'm looking for stuff to use some Audible credits on.
And I have a rather specific style of science fiction that I'm hoping you know some examples of:

I'm trying to find some stuff that takes a more positive, uplifting view of science, technology and the future. No Dystopias, Apocalypses (unless we've fully recovered from them!), zombie plagues, etc.*
To put in Star Trek terms, more TNG, less DS9.

But I don't mean to suggest I'm looking for only Space Opera.

Actually, near-future speculative, Michael Crichton style stuff , or hard science fiction would be ideal.

Stuff where technology or science is a primary element of the story, not just background or world-building.

Most importantly: no serials! I want a book that tells a whole story from beginning to end, not something that's intended to get me hooked by leaving a lot of unanswered questions!

Any recommendations?

ApK

*Come to think of it, I'd enjoy some non-fiction books on science and technology with this philosophy as well.
Maybe that should be another thread?

[pwalker8]

Have you tried any Michael Crichton stuff? For that matter, I highly recommend the Martian. The movie was good, the book even better. It was one of the few audiobooks where I was listening to it in the car, and then when I got home, I kept listening because I had to hear the ending.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Have you tried any Michael Crichton stuff? For that matter, I highly recommend the Martian. The movie was good, the book even better. It was one of the few audiobooks where I was listening to it in the car, and then when I got home, I kept listening because I had to hear the ending.

Yes, I've certainly read a bunch of Crichton. That's why I used him as an example of what I'm looking for. I'm actually re-listening to Jurassic Park right now.

"The Martian" is just the kind of thing I'm looking for, and since I've already read it, I would have used it as an example had I thought of it!

Any more ideas, anyone?