You have to love a story that opens with: âHey, Squiffy: Sorry to hear about the bowel infection. Even sorrier to hear that itâs one of the intelligent ones.â Through a series of back and forth letters, Hugh A.D. Spencerâs Sticky Wonder Tales (Fall, 2006) follows the evolution of two brothers who, via government sponsorship, undergo physiological and mental changes in order to understand alien telepathy or technology. Stephen is busy turning into an alien turtle with an IQ of 350. Andrew grows breathing pores and tendrils that link him to an alien shipâs software. Neither foresees what happens when government mavens cut their programs. By the end of the story, a worse fate than being shelved looms on their horizon.