I have read the serieas from I, Robot to the end of the foundation and found them very fun and interesting. Although I find that Asimov to God-less in his portrayal of characters and I firmly believe He exists.
As far as mind reading goes, I have suspected until recently that I had the ability to do so. This is partially due to a story told by my mother about my great-grandmother. She could take someone by the hand and pick up on their thoughts. I also say suspected this because I have had several incidents where it was the only explanation possible. A good friend of mine (years ago) was singing a song to himself (in his mind) and I picked up on it and hummed it aloud. When he told me that he was thinking it, it marveled both of us. He felt that he had this talent too although found it tough to conscienciously (sp?) trigger it. Well a few days ago as I am doing more mind training lately in other areas I do the same thing to my wife (with whom I have had similar mind reading experiences) and asked her to think of something outrageous. I heard in my head and had a faint picture of what she was thinking so I vocalized it and we both marvelled.
When I was younger, I was very empathic (emotion reading) but it got so hard to tell my emotions from others that I tried hard to turn it off. I find crowds overwhelm me. IT works to my advantage in a classtoom setting though because I tune into the instructor and understand well what they are trying to teach (whether they vocalize it well or not) eventhough I hardly recognize it happening.
As far as influencing others' thoughts, I would stay away from that unless you only have the best of intentions (which suggests that vocalizing it would be better for that anyway), you have their permission, and you respect their ability to clearly choose for themselves. To do anything less is wrong and you may lose the ability I feel. That aside, I have tried and it did not work I think because the other person has to have the receiving ability developed.