Rating: 
Summary: inbetween genres
Review: Is this a witty memoir in which an author describes quirky tales from her childhood that embarass her whole family? Or is it an account of important parts of American history? After reading Sarah Vowell's book, I really couldn't tell.
Towards the beginning, the author talks about keeping important matters and information from your friends and family members, apparently this also applies to her readers, because through out the whole time reading this book, I felt like she was keeping her audience at bay. Stories were told without much background or emotional intimacy, keeping me as a reader at a distance.
Woven through out the chapters, was commentary on and the recollection of American History, which, while mildly interesting, seemed quite out of place.
This book made me feel uneasy, despite the authors entertaining writing style. My suggestion: more David Sedaris, less 8th grade history textbook.
Rating: 
Summary: Partly cloudy patriot
Review: Take the Cannoli serves as a decent introduction to Sarah Vowell's writing, although it is not nearly as good as Partly Cloudy Patriot. The most appealing thing about her is the simple fact that one can disagree with her opinions without feeling argumentative. She has a way of presenting her opinions that does an excellent job of articulating why she feels the way she does without sounding like she is attacking any opposing opinion. Very civilized and enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Like a lively conversation at a bistro
Review: ...and speaking of a bistro, her take on the hidden meaning of your morning mocha is laugh-out-loud funny. This collection of essays deals with her historical, political, religious, and cultural experiences - and who could be more fun to wade through that with than a cynical, lyrical gen-X commentator?!This book has a little something for everyone. Well, O.K., probably not everyone. If you're a big fan of the Left Behind series, you might not like her take on premillenial dispensationalism. If you have little appreciation for Frank Sinatra, you may need to skip a couple of the essays. It reads like a lively road-trip passenger, full of random opinions and witticisms. Having heard her recently in a live reading, I think we would be well served by an audio version of this book.
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