I was driving around on Saturday listening to my favorite NPR quiz show, "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" when I heard Meghan McCain being interviewed. She was on to promote her book and I thought she was funny, smart, down to earth, and sounded like she had an interesting story to share. So when I was at the bookstore later, I picked it up (I hardly ever run out and buy books like that, BTW...but I was in need of a new book so it was good timing I guess).

I finished this speed read of a book over the Labor Day weekend and I have to say, I liked it! For the record, I am a registered non-partisan 30-year old DINK that usually leans to the left. While I am drawn to some of the Republican ideals of self-reliance and individualism, the far Christian right definitely scares me off. Not only that but I want gays to have the right to marry and I'm worried about the environment! I agree with Meghan that these days the Republican Party is totally out of touch with this nation's younger generations and that both the far left and far right are turning moderates like me off with mudslinging, hateful name-calling, and negativity. If only BOTH political parties could learn to work together imagine what great things could happen!

Meghan comes across very approachable and likeable as she shares tales from her father's 2008 presidential campaign. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes stories of her first impression after meeting the Palin family; how she went to an image consultant at the request of the campaign manager (and hated the changes that they made to her appearance and clothes); and the melt-downs she experienced while on the road. I also loved the chapter on being Laura Bush's "guest" at the White House for a day (and finding both Laura and Jenna to be rather snobbish and awkward to be around). She does a great job of walking the fine line of being honest about what she thinks of people like Sarah Palin and former President George W. Bush without being totally disrespectful.

I appreciated Meghan’s feelings of not feeling like she could fit in with the Republican Party because she doesn't wear pant suits, has more moderate views, and is best friends with a gay man (among a multitude of other reasons). And I also liked that she could recognize, looking back, that she made some mistakes and sometimes acted immature and dramatic (like when she photographed with a Bud Light on her bed for a magazine interview). Overall, I found Meghan to be bold, hip, smart, interesting, and extremely relatable. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.