Assassination Vacation in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Feb 04, 2008 Rachel rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir, best-sellers

I listened to Assassination Vacation on audiobook. Sarah Vowell has such a unique voice and by reading the book herself you really get a sense of her wit. There were many times I laughed out loud. While I love books about people's travel experiences, I wasn't too sure about this one... reading about a vacation someone took to learn more about the assassins of American presidents? But it is so unique I really glad I took the time with this one. I learned things I didn't even know I wanted to lear ...more

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Aug 19, 2007 martha rated it really liked it

It takes A LOT to make me (a) enjoy non-fiction and (b) laugh out loud at a book, and this made me do both, a lot. American history! Nerdy facts! This made me want to be back in AP U.S. History, and also captures the over-enthusiasm that's the heart of true geekdom really well.

Definitely my favorite of the (two) books by her I've read so far. ...more

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Oct 26, 2011 stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, would-rec, american-history, history-memory, 2011

i wish i had written this myself.

i love history and its quirks in a way that sarah vowell understands, which makes me feel less alone in the world. here's to the people who love plaques, and new york that is full of them.

it really is a joyous, entertainingly informative travel around pieces of american history. i have to say, i loved the stuff on mckinley - it makes all the crisis of masculinity stuff make so much more sense. (and the little tidbits about TR. so. good.)

seriously, read this. i ...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Genesis Hansen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I started this audio book ages ago, got distracted by something and never finished. So I finally went back and listened all the way through and thoroughly enjoyed it. Vowell's voice might be an acquired taste, but I like her droll delivery style and the book is fascinating - at turns hilarious, tragic, and macabre, but always fascinating. ...more

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Dec 24, 2012 taeli rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, library-book, nonfiction

finished 1/7/13

Each Sarah Vowell book I have listened to has caused me greater enjoyment than the one before. Her voice is soothing to me and I love the interstitial voicing by others on specific quotes. This has been my favorite so far and I really enjoy the personal anecdotes and insights she shares. Especially those regarding her nephew, because they remind me of my niece and my curiosity about the girl she will grow into.

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Nov 13, 2007 misha added it

Shelves: couldntfinishit

I have a strict policy of putting down books that don't capture me. I try, and I tried really hard with this book, but ... alas.

I LOVE Sarah Vowell on NPR. Love, Love, love. She's funny and smart, and I want to be her best friend forever. However, her writing style didn't work well for me... it's too close to that wonderful speaking style that she has. I bet I would have liked this far more so as a book on tape. Ah well Sarah - I tried. ...more

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