GQ and Harpers' contributor John Jeremiah Sullivan covers territory from the sublime to the ridiculous in this new book of essays. Sullivan reveals a singular gift for inserting himself into a narrative without seeming self-centered; what truly stands out about these pieces, though, is the respect with which he treats his subjects, many of whom are easy and popular targets of ridicule. It would be tempting to mock the stars of a reality show, a group of young evangelicals at a Christian Rock festival, or the talent and travails of Michael Jackson. Sullivan takes the higher, more difficult--and far more interesting--road by doing his best to understand them, with a refreshing lack of condescension. These are the sharpest, and certainly most human, analyses of popular culture that I have read in a very long time, striking just the right balance between entertaining and profound. A must-read for anyone interested in the state of the contemporary essay.

As long as I can remember I've dreamed of taking the ultimate summer road trip: several months traveling America, unencumbered by work, finances or any other obligations. It's probably going to remain a dream, at least until I'm retired, so in the meantime I console myself with Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck's memoir of just such a trip. In 1960 Steinbeck, who was soon to win the Nobel Prize for literature, packed up a modified pickup with a camper shell and set out to travel the country with his standard French poodle, Charley. A fascinating portrait of an America on the cusp of momentous political and technological change, Travels with Charley is a relaxing break from Steinbeck's (heavy) fiction. If you are unencumbered by work, finances or other other obligations, read this and hit the road. If you aren't, well, read it anyway.