"Originally published as an ebook in 2015 by Paper Lantern Literary, The Studio"--Copyright page.

A large-print edition Choose Your Own Adventure series.

Most of us have encountered frustrating incidents in our lifetimes. For humor columnist Wolfgang Niesielski, one of his most exasperating moments involves an expensive hotel room, a faulty thermostat, and a patronizing front desk clerk only to be rescued by two gentlemen who, after conferring with each other in hushed tones, change their pleasant demeanor into the serious miens of surgeons before a heart transplant operation. In this compilation of his humor columns, Niesielski provides an amusing take on everyday experiences. See what it's like to have an evil cyber presence monopolize your e-mail account, understand the overwhelming differences between first class and tourist class on an airplane, and find out why it's important to choose the right gift for a loved one even if it is a Salad Shooter or an electric nail-file buffing system. From learning how unforgiving Mother Nature truly is when he forgets how to water the lawn to the moment when he discovers he is a procrastinator in the worst way, Niesielski illustrates what fun life can be when one learns to laugh at himself. The Alien in My E-Mail and Other Stories takes others on a delightful ride through one man's wacky life Salad Shooter and all.

A polite race of telepathic killer aliens, a ten-second world conquest, and one teenage boy collide in this wry, gutsy adventure. (Ages 14 and up) Jesse is in history class when a formidable, efficient race of aliens quietly takes over the earth in less time than it takes him to brush his teeth. Most humans simply fall asleep and never wake up. In moments, everyone Jesse knows and loves is gone, and he finds that he is now a slave to an inept alien leader. On the bright side, Jesse discovers he’s developing telepathic powers, and he’s not the only one. Soon he’s forging new friendships and feeling unexpectedly hopeful. When a mysterious girl appears in his dreams, talking about escaping, Jesse begins to think the aliens may not be invincible after all. But if Jesse and his friends succeed, is there anywhere left to go? Brian Yansky offers a funny, grim novel packed with everything boys and sci-fi fans love: aliens, humor, action, and a healthy dose of triumph.

Includes stories featured in Pantheon—now an animated series on AMC+ “I know this is going to sound hyperbolic, but when I’m reading Ken Liu’s stories, I feel like I’m reading a once-in-a-generation talent. I’m in awe.” —Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author “Captivating.” —BuzzFeed “Extraordinary.” —The Washington Post “Brilliant.” —The Chicago Tribune With the release of The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, Ken Liu’s short fiction has resonated with a generation of readers. From stories about time-traveling assassins, to Black Mirror-esque tales of cryptocurrency and internet trolling, to heartbreaking narratives of parent-child relationships, The Hidden Girl and Other Stories is a far-reaching work that explores topical themes from the present and a visionary look at humanity’s future. This collection includes a selection of Liu’s speculative fiction stories over the past five years—seventeen of his best—plus a new novelette. In addition, it also features an excerpt from The Veiled Throne, the third book in Liu’s epic fantasy series The Dandelion Dynasty. Stories include: Ghost Days; Maxwell's Demon; The Reborn; Thoughts and Prayers; Byzantine Empathy; The Gods Will Not Be Chained; Staying Behind; Real Artists; The Gods Will Not Be Slain; Altogether Elsewhere, Vast Herds of Reindeer; The Gods Have Not Died in Vain; Memories of My Mother; Dispatches from the Cradle: The Hermit—Forty-Eight Hours in the Sea of Massachusetts; Grey Rabbit, Crimson Mare, Coal Leopard; A Chase Beyond the Storms (an excerpt from The Veiled Throne, Book 3 of the Dandelion Dynasty); The Hidden Girl; Seven Birthdays; The Message; Cutting