Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious
Review: Sarah Vowell is a wonderful commentary as well as essayist. I am a huge fan of NPR. I enjoy David Sedaris, Ira Glass and Sarah. I have read several of David's books but simply cannot compare these two broadcastors. Both are wonderful to listen to on the radio but I'm sorry, Sarah Vowell is by far, the better writer. Her book was so, so enjoyable. I laughed out loud so many times reading it. Her foray into the Goth culture had me in stitches. I related so well because I wanted my daughter to become a "goth" while she was in high school. She just rolled her eyes at me...anyway, I thought I was one of the few adults who appreciated the goth look. Sarah, you made me smile. Thanks so much. I just love your take on life...Keep it up.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious but not silly
Review: Sarah Vowell writes with the wit of David Sedaris but manages to maintain an optimistic, sweet tone thoughout her essays. Vowell amazes me with her use of the English language. Her ability extract larger truths from the mundane, and sometimes absurd, is a gift.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so hot
Review: I wanted to like this book ... but found it to be a somewhat boring rant. More entertaining on radio then on the page. Stick to broadcasting.
Rating: 
Summary: 3-1/2 STARS, Really...
Review: I read this on the heels of David Sedaris's "Me Talk Pretty...", which I could not read in public because I found myself laughing to the point of embarassment. Since Ms. Vowell's book came recommended based on my enjoyment of Mr. Sedaris's, I held it to the same, very high, standard. Sarah Vowell presents analysis of American life in a similar, comic fashion as David Sedaris but without his blistering sarcasm wryness. Ms. Vowell has some work to do and should take care to develop her own style and not just imitate other successful authors.
Rating:
Summary: Comme ci, comme ca.
Review: The best word to describe this book is "uneven". Certain moments in this collection of essays are wildly funny, other moments are boring or, worse, irritating beyond belief. The irritation mostly comes from Vowell's rather adolescent persona-- it's like, wow, you dress all in black, maintain a gloomy outlook, and revel in your social ineptitude? Me, too-- in the eighth grade! Grow up, girl.And, underneath the bon mots, Vowell seems to take everything very, very seriously. She is the opposite of irreverent. This book is meant to be witty and funny, but it ends up feeling strangely humorless. I think if I'd read *Take the Cannoli* when I was about 13, I would've related to it to a scary degree. As it is, I'm just not feeling it. But I did enjoy many of the lighter essays (about insomnia, marching band, masquerading as a goth), and I can see where these essays would be really entertaining if I heard them on the radio (Vowell's usual setting). This book isn't terrible, but it's far from great. Walk, don't run.
Rating: 
Summary: kudos for sarah from a david sedaris fan.
Review: Very witty and insightful essays, some comprising biting american cultural & political commentary, very enjoyable reading, sedaris fans, like myself, i believe, will appreciate the same corner of the universe from which vowell emanates but with a slightly more passionate political stance relative to david sedaris.
Rating:
Summary: Funny & cynical but not bitter
Review: We bought this book after hearing "Music Lessons" (an essay included in the book) on the PRI program "This American Life". I have since recommended this book to almost everyone I know. Vowell's voice has a dose of cynicism, but is tempered with a warmth that is rare. I can't wait to read more of her work!
Rating:
Summary: Fab essays
Review: If you enjoy Sedaris and Rakoff...you will certainly go for Vowell. A great selection of essays...
Rating:
Summary: A great read, but not the whole story....
Review: Folks have mixed views about this book. I love it and recommend it, but not in the absence of Ms. Vowell's radio work. Go the PRI's web site and listen to some of her radio articles (hysterical). Then read the book. You will end up being a big fan.
Rating:
Summary: Validating self
Review: It's reassuring yet a little strange to know that the things I experienced in my teenaged angst were also experienced by a girl in Montana. I guess it validates adolescence (for me, anyway.) I saw Sarah on Jay Leno and thought she was very funny and smart. I was happy to find her writings concur. I guess I'm not good at using cliche words to describe a book I read but I will say that I really enjoyed the book so much that I thought I would do something I've never done, actually would not normally do, and tell you that if you read it, you will like it. And if you don't, well, what's a couple of bucks? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go read it again.
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