Short stories and essays have never been my top choice when it comes to reading material. However, I have such a great love for This American Life (TAL) that this collection seems like a printed version of the show.

One of the added bonuses is that there is a piece about Ira Glass teaching Vowell to drive. Oh, if only we could be flies on the...um...inside of the windshield for that particular moment! And the Disney adventure includes David Rakoff as a sidekick. Interestingly, this detail isn't mentioned until the acknowledgments, so I had to go back and reread the whole chapter with "David Rakoff" substituting for "David." (If you're a fan of Rakoff, it makes it even more enjoyable that way.)

The criticism of the Bush presidency in the collection seems almost quaint in the current political climate. Nevertheless, it serves as a good reminder of many details that have been at least partially forgotten. Overall, the longish essay about the Trail of Tears is both the most moving and the slowest-moving segment. But despite its pace, it is truly worthwhile. This collection is a bit of a mixed bag, much like Partly Cloudy Patriot, but it is definitely worth the time spent reading it.

Ehh?

I really wanted to like this more. You see, I'm constantly on the hunt for entertaining essays. And for the most part, I did like the hopeful tone it had. She truly WANTS to love her country, and because of that, she actively searches for opportunities for grace. It's such a compassionate way to experience other people. It makes you think about how different it is from the society we live in today. In our current society, it seems like there's a lot of division and a lack of that kind of compassion. We're so focused on our differences and our own agendas that we often forget to look for the good in others and in our country. This essay serves as a reminder that there's still hope and that we can choose to approach things with a more positive and loving attitude.

A collection of essays that delves into the experience of growing up in America as a bleeding-heart liberal. I found it to be an interesting read, but it didn't quite reach the level of love for me.

Some of the essays within this collection were truly powerful, leaving a lasting impression with their poignant insights and engaging narratives. However, there were also some that were just average, lacking that extra spark to make them truly stand out.

Despite this, all of the essays had a certain likability about them. They offered a unique perspective on American life and the liberal mindset. Fans of David Sedaris would do well to check out Vowell's work. She writes in a similar vein, employing a homespun humor with a kooky edge that is both endearing and entertaining.

Overall, I would rate this collection 3 stars out of 5. It has its strengths and weaknesses, but it is definitely worth a read for those interested in exploring the experiences and perspectives of a liberal growing up in America.

Vowell has rapidly emerged as my all-time favorite living essayist.

On Wednesday, I spent a significant amount of time reading her works in Mom's hospital room as she slumbered after surgery. It was precisely the kind of irreverent humor, with an equal blend of light and dark elements, that I craved.

If Vowell weren't so excellent and so similar to me, I would be extremely envious, but fortunately, I'm not. Once again, choosing a favorite essay proves to be an arduous task.

The only one that didn't resonate with me was the title essay, as I've never watched 'The Godfather' and have no inclination to do so. However, I thoroughly enjoyed those that I might have written myself, such as 'Dark Circles', 'Thanks for the Memorex', 'Music Lessons', and 'Ixnay on the My Way'. I understood their subject matter all too well.

Although my heritage doesn't include Cherokee, I had written a paper in high school on the 'Trail of Tears', so I admired her perspective on it in 'What I See When I Look at the Face on the $20 Bill'.

The only other essay that I couldn't wholeheartedly support was 'Drive Through, Please', as I have a passion for driving, relishing the control and freedom it offers. I do, however, understand her desire not to learn to drive because she wants to be distinct, original, and true to herself. I could say that I abstained from sex for years for the same reason: self-preservation.

As with all collections of this kind - musings on life, music, history - some pieces are more captivating than others.

Each entry in this collection is well-written, with a certain charm and elegance that draws the reader in. The language is vivid and engaging, making it easy to lose oneself in the author's thoughts and ideas.

Moreover, the book itself is a quick read, which is a great advantage for those who don't have a lot of time to spare. It can be enjoyed in short bursts or devoured in one sitting, depending on the reader's preference.

Overall, this collection offers a diverse range of perspectives on various aspects of life, and is sure to appeal to a wide audience. Whether you're interested in music, history, or simply reflecting on the human experience, there's something here for everyone.

Sarah Vowell could potentially be my younger sister.

Her snark, which seems to effortlessly flow from her perky little face, is strikingly familiar. It's as if I've witnessed that exact expression and heard that same tone countless times before.

Her deep love for books, music, and history has truly endeared her to me. It's refreshing to see someone so passionate about these diverse and enriching aspects of life.

And let's not forget her surname. Could she have a better one? I highly doubt it. Sarah Consonant, on the other hand, is simply too many syllables. It lacks the simplicity and charm of Vowell.

In conclusion, Sarah Vowell has a unique combination of qualities that make her a truly interesting and likable person. I can't help but feel a sense of connection to her, as if we share some unspoken bond.

Just fine.

I read it on a recommendation from Taylor. At first, I thought it was good, but not great.

Vowell indeed has a unique voice. However, coming to it in 2019 is a bit late for her to receive the recognition and points she probably truly deserves.

Perhaps if I had read it earlier, I might have had a different perspective. But now, in this day and age, there are so many other works and voices competing for attention.

Nonetheless, I can still appreciate the qualities that Vowell brings to the table. Her writing style has its own charm and distinctiveness.

Maybe with more time and a wider audience, her work will gain the greater acclaim it potentially merits.

For now, though, I'll just consider it a decent read that didn't quite reach the level of greatness I was hoping for.

Having just emerged from the excitement of reading Assassination Vacation, I eagerly delved into Take the Cannoli. This collection of essays by Vowell takes readers on a journey that begins with her earnest plea to television stations not to play "My Way" when Frank Sinatra passed away, a request that was unfortunately ignored. It then progresses to an in-depth exploration of her complex relationship with her father, a gun-making Republican, and her own identity as a New York-loving Democrat, and the process of mending the divide between them.

The essays in Take the Cannoli vary in tone, from the mildly irritating, much like the posturing of performance artists, to the humble, as Vowell realizes the arrogant folly of her own ways. However, despite these differences, each essay is deeply heartfelt and unique.

It's not all rosy and sunny, as her complaints about not wanting to learn how to drive clearly demonstrate. Nevertheless, Take the Cannoli is a truly fantastic read, filled with humor and often deeply poignant moments that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page.

I really hate the fact that it seems as if I can only fully focus on reading memoirs when I feel a connection to some sort of childhood tragedy.

That is precisely the sole reason why I didn't manage to get through this particular memoir as swiftly as I usually do with other ones.

This memoir earns a 3/5 rating from me. Clearly, I need to have a discussion about this tendency of mine during therapy.

However, I do have a strong desire to read more works by Sarah Vowell. Her writing style was truly delightful and engaging.

It made the reading experience quite enjoyable, despite the fact that I had this issue with my focus related to the content.

I look forward to exploring more of her memoirs and seeing how her unique writing can further captivate me.

This book was just okay.

Even though the majority of the essay collections centered around Americana, they simply did not blend well together.

A few random essays were rather dull and uninteresting.

The back and forth transition between the author's personal life and historical interludes appeared jerky and disjointed.

The writing itself was not terrible, but it gave the impression more of a blog than a refined essay collection.

It seemed as if the author was simply sharing random thoughts and experiences without a clear overarching theme or narrative structure.

While there were some interesting tidbits and insights, overall, the book failed to engage me on a deeper level.

I was left feeling somewhat disappointed and unfulfilled.

Perhaps with a bit more polish and organization, this could have been a more engaging and enjoyable read.

"Take the Cannoli" is, without a doubt, likely the finest piece in the Vowell catalog.

Her writing style is characterized by a light and breezy self-depreciation that manages to never come across as forced or inauthentic.

It has a charm and authenticity that makes it a perfect read for those long flights or as a break between more challenging and harder books.

The way she weaves her stories and thoughts together is both engaging and entertaining.

One can easily get lost in her words and the unique perspectives she presents.

Whether you're a fan of her work or new to it, "Take the Cannoli" is sure to leave a lasting impression and provide an enjoyable reading experience.

It's a book that can be picked up and put down at will, yet still manages to draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish.

A collection of essays that encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including American history, pop culture, and Vowell's teenage years.

Personally, I have always regarded short stories as a rather inconsistent genre, and these essays, despite not being fictional tales, were no exception. There were some that I truly enjoyed. For instance, "Thanks for the Memorex" brought back vivid memories of creating mix tapes for that special someone during a particular period of my life. However, there were also some essays that failed to resonate with me.

Much of the content in this collection is centered around her personal experiences and feelings about various things. To be quite honest, I didn't fully understand some of the things she said or the views she expressed. Perhaps the fact that we come from different generations and different continents is the reason why certain aspects just didn't click with me. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I didn't like the book at all. It's just one of those works that I had hoped to have a greater affinity for than I actually did.

Overall, it was an interesting read that offered a unique perspective on a variety of topics.