“The Braindead Megaphone, Essays” 

“The Braindead  Megaphone, Essays” by George Saunders: OK, I promise, no more George Saunders after this (maybe). This series of essays (whoever thought essays could be so absorbing?) range from topics as broad as the title piece, which deals with the media-inflicted dumbing-down of America, to Mark Twain’s twisted brilliance (“The United States of Huck”) to the dichotomies of Dubai's glitz, and beyond. “Ask the Optimist!” is a laugh-out-loud mock advice column, with seekers asking such questions as: “A few years ago, I inadvertently declared war on the wrong country . . .” Or “Woof: A Plea of Sorts” written by a dog. But Saunders gets downright serious when discussing Kurt Vonnegut's challenges in writing “Slaughterhouse Five.” His writing is as refreshing as an ice cream cone on a hot summer's day. I can't say enough about this man's output (drool).    —SJA

“The Braindead  Megaphone, Essays” by George Saunders: OK, I promise, no more George Saunders after this (maybe). This series of essays (whoever thought essays could be so absorbing?) range from topics as broad as the title piece, which deals with the media-inflicted dumbing-down of America, to Mark Twain’s twisted brilliance (“The United States of Huck”) to the dichotomies of Dubai's glitz, and beyond. “Ask the Optimist!” is a laugh-out-loud mock advice column, with seekers asking such questions as: “A few years ago, I inadvertently declared war on the wrong country . . .” Or “Woof: A Plea of Sorts” written by a dog. But Saunders gets downright serious when discussing Kurt Vonnegut's challenges in writing “Slaughterhouse Five.” His writing is as refreshing as an ice cream cone on a hot summer's day. I can't say enough about this man's output (drool).    —SJA