"Generosity: An Enhancement" is Richard Powers' 10th novel since his 2006 National Book Award winner, "The Echo Maker." His futuristic story wonders if a young woman's perpetually sunny mood is a genetic trait and if so, can it be copied and passed on by science? Excerpted here is a satirical send-up of a famous TV talk show. Click here for a PG review of "Generosity: An Enhancement."

• Click on the green title to begin installments of "Thirsty", which finishes up at PG Plus. After the final chapter is posted Oct. 2, PG book editor Bob Hoover will lead an online discussion on PG Plus.

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Book editor Bob Hoover's interviews with authors and others from the literary scene.

• Ann Sarnow
• Kristin Bair O'Keeffe
• Kathleen George and Kathryn Miller Haines
• Judith Jones
• Keith Donohue
• Philipp Meyer
• T.C. Boyle
• Richard Russo
• The Gist Street Reading Series
• Michael Chabon
• Kris Radish
• Rita Mae Brown
• Kathleen George
• Sheryl St. Germain