A valuable book in an unconventional sort of way.

This is a year-long journal of listening to the radio. It presents an interesting combination of commentary, news, and reflections. What makes this book even more meaningful is the fact that it was read so long after its initial publication.

Although not the intended point of the book, the journal manages to capture the world of the mid-90's perfectly. It replays the hot air from Rush Limbaugh's climb from obscurity, the Congressional stalemating, the state of music and how it can accurately reflect the national mood.

Surprisingly, the book is probably one of the few written works that accurately captures the transition of technology from analog to digital. It describes radio stations' new use of digital audio editing on computers, the use of cassettes, the use of record players, and the rise of the internet and how it "might" be used to broadcast radio (podcasts, anyone?).

The irreverent Vowell's writing style may be distracting to some, but overall she has written a good book that offers a unique perspective on a particular time period.

I have a deep affection for Sarah Vowell.

As a radio enthusiast myself, I was filled with excitement when I began to read this particular work.

Undoubtedly, the author possesses an extraordinary gift for language. Her words are like a masterful symphony, weaving together in a beautiful and captivating manner.

However, the overall tone of the book is rather bleak. It reflects her profound feelings and perspectives regarding the political and social environment in which she was writing.

Nonetheless, for me at least, this aspect makes the reading experience less satisfying compared to her other remarkable books.

Perhaps it is because I was hoping for a more uplifting or inspiring narrative.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the author's unique voice and her ability to convey complex ideas through her writing.

Despite the slightly disappointing tone, I will continue to be a fan of Sarah Vowell and look forward to her future works.

I usually take great pleasure in Sarah Vowell's writing. Her works often offer unique perspectives and engaging stories. However, this particular piece just didn't resonate with my interests.

Who would truly love it? Perhaps someone who has an in-depth knowledge of alternative rock in the 1990s, much more so than I do. There were an abundance of references to bands and songs that were completely unfamiliar to me. As a result, I found myself wandering along, half lost, through a significant portion of her musings on what radio was presenting throughout 1995.

By the conclusion of this listener's diary, it was evident that the diarist herself had become worn out by her project. It seemed as if the process of chronicling her experiences with the radio and the music of that era had taken its toll. Despite my disappointment with this particular work, I still look forward to reading more of Sarah Vowell's writing in the future, hoping to discover something that will capture my imagination once again.

Her first book is truly an experiment in patience, not only for herself but also for the reader.

She made a rather bold decision to listen to nothing but the radio for an entire year!!! Ewwww! This unique choice surely added an interesting dimension to the book.

At times, it can be quite captivating and engaging. However, it's important to note that unless you have already devoured all her other books, it might be advisable to read something else.

The concept of relying solely on the radio for a year is quite extraordinary, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Perhaps those who have a deep appreciation for her previous works and are eager to explore this new aspect of her creativity will find it more fulfilling.

Nevertheless, for the general reader, there are likely many other excellent books out there waiting to be discovered.

So, while her first book has its own charm and novelty, it might not be the best choice for everyone.

It's always a matter of personal preference and what one is looking for in a reading experience.

As much as I enjoy Sarah Vowell,

it turns out that this book is actually quite dated.

It's not really in a good way either.

The language and the references seem a bit old-fashioned and out of touch with the current times.

If there is anything interesting here, the book wasn't really able to hold my interest long enough for me to find out.

I kept waiting for something to really grab my attention, but it just never happened.

Maybe it's because I'm more used to modern writing styles and more contemporary topics.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this book, especially considering how much I usually like Sarah Vowell's work.

I'm hoping that her next book will be more engaging and relevant.

For some reason, I truly adored the introduction to this book, which is also penned by Sarah Vowell.

It neatly encapsulates the emotions I experienced during the early days of Nirvana. Those were the times that coincided with my early college years.

Back then, my radio held an incredibly important place in my life. It was like a constant companion, always there to play the music that spoke to my soul.

The introduction of this book brought back all those memories, making me realize just how significant that period was for me.

It was a time of self-discovery and growth, and the music of Nirvana, along with the presence of my radio, played a crucial role in shaping who I am today.

I'm so glad I came across this introduction and was able to relive those wonderful moments.

It has once again reminded me of the power of music and the importance of those little things that bring us joy and comfort.

I can't wait to delve deeper into the book and see what other gems it has in store for me.

I have a great admiration for Sarah Vowell. However, this particular book is rather cringe-inducing.

It is a detailed account of her life during the mid-1990s, as revealed through her radio listening habits.

To be fair, it does have some good moments. Given that I am around her age and share a similar political persuasion, I can relate to a significant portion of it.

Nevertheless, when considering the book as a whole, it comes across as forgettable, sophomoric, and overly self-centered.

I would highly recommend skipping this one and instead reading "Partly Cloudy Patriot" for a more engaging and worthwhile experience.

It's a fact that the story is a bit dated, but one cannot help but notice the evident wit and humor that Sarah possesses. Her actions truly showcase her remarkable dedication. For an entire year, she listened to the radio religiously, all for the sake of her book. This kind of commitment is truly admirable. It takes a special kind of person to stick with something for such a long period of time, especially when it involves a task as seemingly mundane as listening to the radio. But Sarah saw the value in it and was willing to put in the effort. Her story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that with dedication and a sense of purpose, we can achieve great things.

Closer to 3.5 stars.

Similar to another reviewer, I too have a penchant for diaries and radio. So, the concept of this book - listening to the radio for a year and jotting down thoughts and opinions in response to what was broadcast (and sometimes what wasn't) - really appealed to me. Overall, I liked the book. However, there are two aspects that prevented me from giving it a higher rating, and both are arguably beyond the control of Sarah Vowell.

The first relates to my own perception of radio. Ever since I heard the song "Radio Conspiracy" by Jeff Ott, which neatly encapsulates my view of radio as an occasional purveyor of supernatural or otherworldly signs and coincidences, I've been seeking others who share this perspective. I was somewhat surprised to find that there weren't as many such examples as I'd hoped. Ms. Vowell experiences this from time to time, but it also depends on luck when tuning the dial, as staying on the same radio station, especially a popular one, means hearing the same five songs ad nauseam. (Thanks, payola!)

The second factor that detracted from my enjoyment, again not the author's fault, is that this book is almost 19 years old! I would love to see a book of this kind published every generation or so, enabling us to analyze how radio play evolves or remains constant. I'm endlessly curious to know what someone listening to the radio daily in 2014 would have to write. Nevertheless, Sarah Vowell does an excellent job of capturing the experience of listening to radio in 1995.

Interestingly, both the year she wrote about (1995) and the year I read this book (2013) witnessed government shutdowns. Reading her frustration about hearing of supposed leaders gridlocking and refusing to lead while squandering vast amounts of money on inaction mirrored my own.

To her credit, Sarah Vowell undertakes an interesting challenge and manages it admirably. (Any plan sounds great when you envision doing it every day for a year, but admittedly less so after a hundred days or so.) I admire her perseverance, her ability to endure listening to talk radio longer than I likely would have, and throughout it all, she maintains her own perspective.

Ultimately, I did enjoy the book, and inspired by it, I do intend to read her other works (which I know have received more favorable ratings than this one). Still, in the end, the author and I seem to share the same belief in the beneficial power of radio, namely that it's "the most reassuring solace in the world, the notion that a small, black box in the corner of a room can cast out grief and death like some kind of miracle."

Sarah Vowell is not the pioneer in documenting a year's worth of observations in a single volume. Brian Eno's excellent "A Year With Swollen Appendices" even chronicled the same year, 1995. And like Eno's book, Vowell's diary is rich in music.

She didn't keep her radio tuned to one station like most of us. Instead, she took her project seriously, tuning into different markets as she traveled and sampling a wide range of stations wherever she was.

There are sharp observations about NPR, despite it being the platform that has supported her. She also had the courage to listen carefully to right-wing talk radio.

Vowell comes at this from an insider's perspective. She was not only a listener but also an active participant in the radio world, having been involved in NPR's "This American Life" and a college radio DJ.

But "Radio On" is really about the music. Kurt Cobain's suicide in 1994 reverberates throughout the book. Vowell was an early adopter of the independent grunge explosion, and her musical taste is diverse, including classical, jazz, soul, and country.

However, she doesn't like everything. There are times when she is critical, as in her assessment of Hootie and the Blowfish's record sales.

Sarah Vowell's vivid prose and lively interests make her writing always entertaining. I've enjoyed all her works, and "Radio On" is no exception. It can be added to the list of recommended books along with "Take the Cannoli" and "The Wordy Shipmates".

I have a great affection for Sarah Vowell's other literary works. However, I had never come across this particular one before.

Consequently, I made the decision to obtain it from the library. As the title implies, it details her experiences of listening to the radio extensively over the course of a year and documents her thoughts and reflections on it.

In certain aspects, reading this book transported me back to 1995. There are numerous mentions of Kurt Cobain, as well as her musings from graduate art school and some anecdotes about her days as a college DJ.

Overall, it was an okay read, but it paled in comparison to her other books that I have had the pleasure of perusing. It didn't quite have the same depth, charm, or engaging narrative that her previous works possessed.

Nonetheless, it still offered some interesting insights and a unique perspective on the power and influence of radio.

This statement truly captures the essence and spirit of the late 90s. It has this remarkable ability to transport one back to that era, evoking a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.

Moreover, it has had the wonderful effect of making the person who said it love Ira Glass even more. Ira Glass, with his unique style and engaging storytelling, has always been a beloved figure.

The connection between the zeitgeist of the late 90s and the increased affection for Ira Glass is perhaps due to the way his work during that time resonated with the cultural and social climate. His shows and narratives might have captured the hopes, dreams, and concerns of the people living in that era, making him even more endearing and influential.

In conclusion, this simple yet powerful statement not only reflects on the significance of the late 90s but also highlights the impact Ira Glass had during that time and continues to have on those who appreciate his work.