It gradually grew on me. At first, I had to really get into the groove of her writing style, which took some time and effort. But as I persisted, something wonderful happened.

In the end, I found myself truly enjoying the piece. In fact, there were several moments when I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The main aspect that I really loved was how she masterfully intertwined history with her own family and personal experiences.

These experiences were a unique blend of the poignant and the funny, creating a narrative that was both engaging and deeply moving. It was such a nice read that I am now actively looking for more of her work. I can't wait to see what other treasures she has in store for her readers.

I have a feeling that each new piece will be just as captivating and thought-provoking as the one I just finished.

Nearly all of the essays in this book are excellent.

However, the one that truly stands above all others, in my opinion, is the one that deals with her experience as an American expat.

Having had some expat experience myself, I can really relate to the complex feelings she expresses.

Being an expat is not an easy thing. It involves leaving behind one's familiar surroundings, family, and friends, and venturing into a new and unknown culture.

The author does a wonderful job of capturing the joys and sorrows, the challenges and rewards of this experience.

Her words are both poignant and powerful, and they really resonate with me.

I found myself nodding in agreement as I read her descriptions of the initial excitement of arriving in a new country, followed by the inevitable homesickness and culture shock.

Overall, this essay is a must-read for anyone who has ever considered living abroad or who is currently an expat.

It's truly tempting to devour a Sarah Vowell book in one go. However, you really ought not to do so. Instead, ration it out. Sip slowly from the cup of its wit, allowing it to intoxicate you gradually. Set it aside from time to time, give yourself a break to let the words sink in.

And when you finally reach the end, you'll find that her observational voice lingers in your head for the next few days. It's like an infectious Beatles tune that you just can't get out of your mind. You'll find yourself thinking about the things she said, the perspectives she offered, and the way she made you see the world a little differently.

So, take your time with a Sarah Vowell book. Savor it, enjoy it, and let it have a lasting impact on you.

I ❤ Sarah Vowell. I have this deep admiration for her. In fact, I often think that when I grow up, I want to be like her. It's quite an interesting fact that Ira Glass taught her to drive!

But more seriously, what I truly appreciate about her is the way she characterizes the complex tension between loving and hating the United States. She delves into this aspect with such depth and nuance. It makes you really think about the various emotions and experiences that shape our relationship with our country.

Moreover, the chapter in her work on the Cherokee people and the Trail of Tears is simply outstanding. It should be required reading for everyone. It provides a powerful and poignant account of this tragic event in American history, highlighting the injustices and suffering endured by the Cherokee nation. Through her words, we gain a better understanding of the past and are reminded of the importance of learning from history to create a more just and equitable future.

Yawn.

This piece was clearly penned by someone who is overly accustomed to the format of radio presentations and has been unable to adjust her style to that of written non-fiction.

Don't misunderstand me - I have always had a penchant for Sarah Vowell's contributions to NPR, especially to This American Life, and I absolutely adore NPR itself. NPR is love. NPR is life.

Regrettably, much like a tattoo that appears beautiful on paper but turns out all mushy and deformed on the skin, what is offbeat, wry, and witty over the radio can seem lifeless in a book, particularly when the book reads like yet another fragmented bildungsroman-cum-memoir of a white American woman's dull middle-class epiphanies during her short and unremarkable lifetime.

The most engaging parts of this collection were almost invariably the quoted words of others*. This is perhaps the most damning praise I can offer, yet it also indicates Vowell's great journalistic instincts that are, nevertheless, stifled in this attempt at self-reflection through essays.

*I am specifically thinking of the following:
\\"Personally, I am too vindictively American, too full of hate for the hateful aspects of this country, and too possessed by the things I love here to be too long away.\\" (Ralph Ellison)
and
\\"You think this is a mess? New York is a mess! Why should it matter if I spill anything inside? The whole city is a dump! I'm not pretending the inside is any different from the outside anymore!\\" (unnamed guest staying at New York's Chelsea hotel).

Some of her essays were indeed historically interesting, and one of them even managed to make me burst out laughing. However, upon further reflection, I found her views to be mostly quite depressing.

It appears that for her, there is no anticipation of a faith-based eternity. Instead, shopping and having ownership of physical things seem to be the only aspects she looks forward to. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with owning things, but to have no concept of something better waiting in the future is truly a sad state of affairs.

Clearly, she has no inkling about what Jesus accomplished for her on the cross or how deeply He cares for her. It is evident that she has not really understood the Bible at all. She exists in a very limited world, and I am earnestly praying that she will come to learn what an abundant life in Christ truly entails.

I would rate this as 3.5 stars.

I really liked her essay titled "Chelsea Girl, The End is Near, Nearer, Nearest". In it, she presented views that I could very much relate to. For instance, she argued that talking about The End and the Apocalypse can actually be a great way to make friends.

Moreover, her whole take on Disney World was quite interesting. She delved into the genius that went into creating such a magical place. Additionally, her thoughts on the art of making mixed party tapes were also quite engaging. It was fascinating to read about her perspective on these various topics.

Overall, her writing was thought-provoking and made me see these things in a new light. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

I truly relished this compilation of essays by Sarah Vowell, which chronicles her travels and experiences. Her nonfiction writing style is highly engaging and yet manages to be educational, creating a delightful blend. :-)

The book is divided into four sections. The first, Home Movies, mainly consists of Sarah's reminiscences of her American life from her growing-up years to Y2K. It's interesting, but perhaps not as educational as some might expect. However, it can be educational for those interested in seeing how others lived through similar times.

The Post Cards section offers some thought-provoking moments. In the essay "Vindictively American," Sarah's response to a question about anti-American sentiment while studying abroad really stood out. It made me recall my own experiences living in Russia in the mid-90s, when I, too, didn't want to be identified as an American. This section also contains some truly educational history essays, such as those about the Chelsea Hotel in New York and the history of Chicago.

The Obituaries section was rather poignant, especially the essay about the Trail of Tears and Sarah's modern journey across it with her twin sister. This essay brought me to tears. The final section, Mix Tapes, seems to focus again on Sarah's experiences with aspects of American culture, like driving and goths.

As a fan of Sarah Vowell's writing, I found several lines in this book that made me laugh. I've selected one from each of the first, second, and final sections to share. In Home Movies, her description of her contribution to an antinuclear group on a local public television channel had me chuckling. In Post Cards, the humorous take on New Jersey in "These Little Town Blues" was hilarious. And in Mix Tapes, her explanation of why she didn't drive until she was about 28, due to sharing responsibilities with her twin sister, was both relatable and amusing.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I'm not sure if I'll remember all the educational details, it has definitely reaffirmed my love for Sarah Vowell's writing style and reignited my interest in reading more of her works. :-)

The first in a pile of Vowell's books that I'll read while the library is still closed, courtesy of a lovely friend.

I remember not liking her Lafayette book all that much. However, these personal essays are truly outstanding. It's as if she is reading directly to me within my mind. Her voice on paper closely resembles her radio voice, and I simply adore it! That conversational tone is often difficult for many essayists to attain, but Vowell hits the mark precisely here.

Among the essays, my favorites were those on mixed tapes, high school musicianship, becoming a goth, and learning to drive with Ira Glass. Nevertheless, my absolute favorite was her piece on driving the Trail of Tears with her twin sister.

Borrowed from MM during isolation.

Some essays truly grabbed my attention and held it firmly, as if they had a magnetic pull. However, others just seemed to fall flat. This was mostly the case when it gave the impression that she was striving a little too strenuously to be edgy or literary. As she herself admits, one outlet even called her curmudgeonly.

For me, it was an uneven experience. But it wasn't to such an extent that I wouldn't attempt to read the other book of hers that I possess before reaching my final verdict on her as a writer.

I still have a glimmer of hope that the other work might offer a more consistent and engaging reading experience, perhaps revealing a different side of her literary talent that I haven't yet discovered. Only time and further exploration will tell.

Carino, starting from the mythical line: "leave the gun, take the cannoli", takes a tour of American society, especially the less known one, still based on stereotypes and on superclassical images and artists.

He delves into the hidden corners and explores the unspoken norms and behaviors. Through his journey, he discovers the contradictions and the unique charm that lie within.

The stereotypes that he encounters both challenge and confirm his preconceived notions. The superclassical images and artists he references add a touch of elegance and depth to his exploration.

As he continues his tour, he realizes that American society is a complex tapestry, woven with different cultures, values, and dreams. And with each step, he gets a closer look at the true essence of this diverse and fascinating land.

I became a fan of Sarah Vowell after hearing her This American Life episode on the Trail of Tears. It was truly captivating and left a lasting impression on me.

Her book Take the Cannoli includes that very story, which happens to be the longest one in it. As I delved into the book, I noticed an interesting pattern. It feels like they strategically put the best stories at the beginning and the end. This might explain why I initially put it down for about a year when I got bored in the middle.

However, fate had other plans. I picked it up again, and to my great delight, I was laugh-out-loud entertained by the stories at the end, such as \\"American Goth.\\" Now, it has sparked a newfound curiosity in me. I want to find these goths in SF who offer goth makeovers for a day. It sounds like an adventure waiting to happen, and I can't wait to explore this unique subculture.

Overall, Sarah Vowell's work continues to intrigue and amuse me, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.