I was actually thinking I should read some more dick, I was listening to the Erik Davis audio book chapter on him and nearly bought the Timothy archer book afterwards.
And I did like valis when I read it on holiday a few years ago, cos I was in that sort of mood, where I had nothing else on my mind and could sit inside all the mad and paranoid style.
But when I read a scanner darkly, I just felt the world closing in on me, I got very sick and tired of the characters and the general mood. It didn't chime for me in any way.
Started to find plot holes and I know it's over for me when that's happening, when I read it pedantiacally ("why is he doing that, what's the point?")
My friend was recommending ubik as something a bit different. So maybe that or Timothy archer at some point.