Can you write 12 chapters about humanity trying to thrive in a hostile environment? George Saunders accepted the challenge... and nailed it. After a long break, the Book Boys are back in town and we learn: * Glen's Cat died * Ben has a girlfriend * Glen

The town decides to go out on the ferry for an afternoon and it sinks. You know it sinks right away in the chapter, and spend the whole time waiting for it to happen.

We read a ‘rags-to-riches’ story in the second chapter where the local barber makes money on the mining boom- then loses it all to the last centuries equivalent of a 'Nigerian prince' email scam.

We read the first chapter of this story where we learn that if you are corrupt and about to lose everything, you just need to be more showy and get into philanthropy. Then everyone will forget how horrible you are and celebrate you.

Two stories from Hans Christian Andersen: One about a homeless girl who dies, and another about a prince who goes to great lengths to punish anyone who doesn't appreciate him. Just more horrible stories from a horrible man.

The story of a fairy godmother who learns just how hard it is to be green when her favorite spell backfires

'Interstellar Tech Support' -a story of a man trying to navigate the dangerous terrain of a tech support phone system. And 'Robo-rotica', a cautionary tale of premarital robot sex.

This week I read ‘Falling For Q46F’ by Jason Werbeloff. A post-apocalyptic sci-fi comedy about a robot trying to survive in a house made of zombie parts.