I know some of you will be biased because the movie was so bad but Battlefield Earth by L.Ron Hubbard is an awesome sci-fi book. Also L.Ron's 10 book series Mission Earth is a very worthwhile read.Sci-fi with humor.
I think you could do much better for less money.A bottom of the line pioneer cld-s104 would have a better picture and should come with a remote.Most of pioneers industial players do not come with a remote.A 104 is a very basic player with few frills{no s-video,no still frame on clv,single side...