One of three books by this author was given to me as a Christmas gift in 2012.

I probably should have read this back in 1997 when it was originally published. Back then, I leaned more to the left than I do now. However, especially in what appears to be the last days of my 16+ year job at an NPR affiliate, I find that I disagree rather strongly with her politics. I am particularly turned off by the pretense of intellectual superiority she seems to think she has over people who disagree with her. She is firmly planted in the left of the left/right paradigm, and I am now outside of all of that theatre at this point in my life.

Also, every 10 pages or so, it seems there is a eulogy for Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. I was only a passive fan of the band during his lifetime, and his death was barely a blip on my radar. I kind of felt the same way about Jerry Garcia. But on the day of the announcement of his death, she spews so many pages of vitriol over him and the Grateful Dead that I was suddenly sympathetic even though I hadn't thought about him or the Grateful Dead in years.

.... And I've got two more of these things to get through. Ugh. Hopefully they'll get better.

Whether or not you like this or not will depend on how much you agree with the propaganda that NPR produces. I was not happy with this book. It failed to meet my expectations and left me with a sense of disappointment. The author's one-sided views and the constant references to certain figures in a rather negative light made it a less enjoyable read for me. I hope the other two books will offer a different perspective and be more engaging.

Thirteen years after she penned this, it's truly intriguing to observe what was transpiring in 1995 from an immediate vantage point.

Fast forward thirteen years from now, will we cast a backward glance at our present-day writings and perceive them as being comparably exaggerated and more alarmist than necessary? Will we come to regret the musical artists we spoke unfavorably of, such as Mariah Carey?

This book serves as a relic of the 1990s, and it harbors many of the same shortcomings as that decade: overly serious, too constrictive in its delineation of acceptable art, and too mainstream in its conception of liberalism.

Nonetheless, it holds a certain allure for me in its diary format, as I can recall my own responses to numerous events she undergoes. Not to mention the fact that we were both in Bozeman, Montana, precisely at the same time, during Christmas of 1995. It makes me ponder whether our paths ever crossed.

Anyway, I still have a great deal of affection for Ms. Vowell. I'm certain I'm embarrassed by some of the things I wrote right after graduating from college. However, I have rather conflicted emotions regarding this book.

I have this habit of buying books written by Sarah Vowell, always hoping that they will be so amazing that I would want to keep them on my bookshelf. With this thought in mind, I have bought two of her books. However, after reading them within a few hours or a few days, I ended up selling them right back to a second-hand bookstore.

"Radio On" was a fairly good read. It managed to keep me occupied during my bus rides home. Vowell's sharp criticism of NPR radio personalities was quite similar to the conversations I have with myself when I listen to the radio. I never thought that those kinds of random rambles could actually be published. As a concept that was diligently followed every day for an entire year, it is quite impressive in its examination of something that most of us consider as background noise. Her chapter on Michael Heizer's "Double Negative" was, by far (and perhaps my only), favorite excerpt from Sarah Vowell. The image of Sarah and her friend throwing a frisbee across the void really made my day. Oh, if only she could compile a volume of sneering at obnoxious male artist personalities, I might actually keep that on my bookshelf.

Much of Radio On delves deep into the public/private nature of the radio listener's experience.

There is that unique feeling, for instance, when a particular song playing on the radio at a specific moment seems to be a direct commentary on one's state of mind. It is not at all unexpected that the essay's most profound insights come hand in hand with personal revelations.

While I was grateful for the prompts to re-evaluate public institutions such as Nirvana (something I never imagined I would do again) and the choices for the soundtrack of Fourth of July fireworks displays, it was Vowell's remarkable ability to reverse the standard hierarchy of public/private that truly made the essay resonate with me.

She exposes the limitations of mass meaning-making and takes great delight in the boundlessness of private interpretation.

And, indeed, I couldn't help but cheer when Vowell disclosed that the title was selected in reference to Jonathan Richman's excellent "Roadrunner" and not to the insipid Marilyn Monroe quote used as an epigraph.

This added an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the essay, making it a truly engaging and thought-provoking piece.

I've been a fan of Vowell's for ages.

However, I began my exploration of her works with "Assassination Vacation" and haven't delved into all the ones that preceded it yet.

In this particular book, Vowell hasn't fully developed the style that would later make her work truly captivating for me.

Nonetheless, she remains quite engaging.

She has an endless supply of interesting things to say, which keeps the reader hooked.

Her unique perspective and the way she presents historical events and ideas make "Assassination Vacation" a worthwhile read, even if it doesn't have the same sparkle as some of her later works.

I look forward to going back and reading the earlier books to see how her style evolved and to discover more of her fascinating insights.

Overall, Vowell's writing is always thought-provoking and entertaining, and "Assassination Vacation" is no exception.

Love anything by Sarah Vowell.

However, this particular work definitely gives the impression of being a collection of snippets from college essays.

It is both inspiring and disheartening to listen to her reflections on the pitfalls of political mass culture from twenty years ago.

Certainly, there are some valuable insights within.

I wish I had obtained the audiobook.

Before delving into this one, it would be advisable to cue up a long playlist.

This way, you can fully immerse yourself in her thoughts and ideas without any distractions.

Overall, while it may not be her most polished work, it still offers a unique perspective on an important topic.

The world we inhabit is truly vast and its manifestations are incredibly diverse, with a multitude of tones and hues that color our existence.

Is there a specific purpose to the act of sleeping? It's like an angry bullet, perhaps hitting a target we're not fully aware of.

When comes the best time to engage in the act of making love? It's as if being asleep at the wheel, a state of unconsciousness guiding us.

What exactly is the meaning of this question? It's like closed-door politics, mysterious and hidden from plain view.

Can you truly tell me the profound meaning of love? It's like a desperate triumph underwater, a struggle and a victory that occurs in the depths of our emotions.

These are all questions that linger in our minds, challenging us to seek deeper understandings and interpretations.

Ah! It's done.

Ok, so. Were you interested in reading a book that you could have written yourself, detailing your own grumpiness and the pessimism of the country at large by way of their radio broadcasts? Well, if you were, this was the book. It presented a series of snapshots. There was Rush Limbaugh, NPR, a far too critical attitude towards pop and most music, a far too forgiving attitude towards Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, and an acceptably adoring attitude toward country and Elvis.

Basically, Sarah Vowell's a snob in her anti-snobbery, and it's wearing. But it's a better, and I think more honest, mode for her than being an adorably twee historian. I enjoyed reading it more than her more recent stuff. Back when she was still unsure and unmoored, she could say truer things. And that part was good. So for that reason -- I'd recommend it. The end.

It's truly interesting to read "Radio On" after having delved deeper into Vowell's later works first. As I perused through "Radio On," I could catch fleeting glimpses of her unique writing voice and her distinct sense of humour. These elements, which are more pronounced and refined in her later works, were already present in their nascent form in this particular book.

To be honest, I didn't have an overwhelming love for the book. It's definitely not my all-time favourite among her literary creations. However, I did find the concept of viewing an entire year through the lens of what's playing on the radio to be quite fascinating. It offered a fresh and unique perspective on looking back at a specific period in time.

Despite not being my absolute favourite, "Radio On" still has its charm and value, especially when seen as a precursor to Vowell's more mature and accomplished works.

Sarah Vowell is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite writers.

Whenever I pick up one of her books, it feels as if I'm embarking on a long and cozy coffee date with an old and dear friend.

Her work has this unique charm that draws me in and makes me feel completely at ease.

One of her books that truly stood out for me was "Radio On".

This book was like a wonderful journey down memory lane.

It took me back to my 20s, a time filled with so many memories and experiences.

As I read through the pages, it re-introduced me to bands that I had somehow forgotten over the years.

It was a nostalgic and heartwarming experience that I will always cherish.

"Radio On" is just another example of how talented and engaging Sarah Vowell is as a writer.

Her ability to transport readers to different times and places through her words is truly remarkable.

I can't wait to see what other wonderful books she has in store for us in the future.

I have a great affection for Sarah Vowell. However, this particular work of hers isn't her finest. There is an excessive amount of belittling of things she doesn't like. In contrast, Nick Hornby is able to pen a book about his favorite music without hurling insults at the rest.

Moreover, her outrage towards the Republicans in 1995 appears rather insignificant when compared to the regime of W. It's as if her concerns from that time pale in comparison to the events and actions that followed.

On a different note, I also have a fondness for Liane Hansen. Her work and presence have their own unique charm that吸引着 me.

Overall, while I still hold Sarah Vowell in high regard, this particular piece falls short in some aspects, and my appreciation for Liane Hansen remains strong.

It's not an easy task to precisely define what this book was all about or the exact reason behind its creation.

If you're not yet aware, author Sarah Vowell maintains a journal documenting her thoughts and the events that occur while she listens to the radio.

Throughout the book, there are intermittent mentions of Sarah's infatuation with Kurt Cobain.

Another frequently mentioned entity is NPR, or National Public Radio, where she worked for a period.

The book is also partly a social commentary on the mid-90's, covering events such as those in Waco, the presence of Kurt Cobain, Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, and the government shutdown, among others.

As someone close to her age, I can recall many of those things happening as well, which was quite interesting.

Perhaps it was this aspect that I particularly enjoyed, with her wry and witty social commentary that would prove beneficial for her future works.

Overall, the book offers a unique perspective on a particular era and the author's personal experiences and musings during that time.