is the title of Justina Roberts new science fiction novel (Macmillan 4/2003). This seems to be a contact story. Maybe you remember her first novel Silver Screen? I have been able to find two reviews onbly at minor places: at SFRevu and at The Alien Online.

p. s.: Here is the corresponding non-fiction: Evolving the Alien: The Science of Extraterrestrial Life by Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart and XTL: Extraterrestrial Life and How to Find It by Simon Goodwin and John Gribbin. To learn more about these books have a look at the London Review of Books. (via SciTech Daily)

And don't forget the classics: Lem's Solaris and Strugatskies Roadside Picnic (see also here).

p. s.: A short review of Natural History in the New Scientist.