Congratulations, By the Way, George Saunders, 2014 

A very slim volume comprising Saunders’ Convocation Address at Syracuse, where he teaches.  The prize winning short story writer and MacArthur Grant winner tells the graduates that the most important thing they can do going forward is to be kind.  Develop their natural ability to give kindness to others and they will make a difference in the world.  He urges them to do whatever they wish in terms of striving for success, but urges that they also focus on how to be more kind earlier in life, accelerating the natural process that results in older people striving less and being more kind—-a lovely and important message for our time.  Echoes the Henry James quote about the 3 most important things to do in life: be kind, be kind, and be kind.