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In her early forties, Jancee Dunn began to wonder why she still felt like a 13-year-old around her family. Talking to her friends, she found the same was true for them—despite successful jobs, marriages, and families of their own. Do we ever really grow up, she wonders? Why is the slow, sticky process of prying ourselves free from our parents and childhoods so difficult?
In Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?, Dunn examines the phenomenon, with scenes ranging from a "haunted Savannah" tour gone wrong to a visit to a tattoo parlor with her sixty-ish mother, who is dying to get a raven inked on her wrist.
Finally, Dunn and her sisters arrange a visit to the house where they grew up, a bittersweet but comic experience that answers her questions and puts her at peace with her parents—until the next tattoo parlor visit, at least.
"I want Jancee Dunn to make me a pie. Actually, I want to sit around and listen to her entire family argue about what type of pie. Such is the extreme charm of her world. No matter the subject, Dunn's gimlet eye for all of life’s minor infractions and daily quirks is superbly addictive."
—Sloane Crosley, I Was Told There'd Be Cake
The hysterical debut novel from former Rolling Stone writer Jancee Dunn features the humor of Laurie Notaro or Merrill Markoe combined with the music-induced nostalgia of Rob Sheffield’s Love Is a Mix Tape.
Lillian Curtis, a 30-something New York City television producer, finds her past and present colliding when she moves back in with her parents, where time seems frozen in 1988 – in her room, there’s a Rick Springfield tape on her dresser and Duran Duran posters hanging on the wall. Back in New Jersey after twenty years, she is forced to confront not only her 80’s nostalgia, but also all the people she thought she’d left behind – including her high school boyfriend.
"Steeped in 80s-era references (Rick Springfield cassettes, Duran Duran posters, and Anais Anais perfume, anyone?), the flashback elements of Lily's life are breezy, reliably tacky fun. But unexpected moments of tenderness...give the story heart."
—People
"Dunn's deft sense of pacing and her old-fashioned niceness make "Don't You Forget About Me" a breezy, entertaining summer read that never insults the reader's intelligence. This is a seemingly modest achievement that should not be underestimated."
—The Los Angeles Times
"In addition to being an impressive treasure trove of cultural references both high and (frequently) low, Jancee Dunn is also a tenderhearted novelist. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME is wistful,
graceful, and seriously funny.
—Meg Wolitzer, The Ten-Year Nap
One of the "top upcoming summer reads..."
—Daily Candy
When the girl next door lands a dream job interviewing celebrities and rock stars at Rolling Stone, the result is Almost Famous meets Working Girl: A hip and funny true story of the pleasures and perils of the red carpet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I loved this book from start to finish ... Jancee Dunn is a wonderful storyteller."
Curtis Sittenfield, author of Prep
"Jancee has "dunn" (pun intended) a spectacular job ... I am so proud to be a part of it.."
Dolly Parton
"Hilarious -- you won’t be able to keep from reading the whole thing."
Matthew Klam, author of Sam the Cat
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This is great, Jancee. Happy I found your blog tonight (my wife forwarded the link to me). It's good to see you again!
Posted by: Tommy Himself | May 31, 2006 at 07:35 PM
Thought I'd check this out after the UK LBC Interview - Jancee has a self-effacing geekiness that's really charming.
Posted by: TM | July 02, 2006 at 01:19 PM
Jancee, I can personally relate to your life. It's great fun being involved in the entertainment industry without having to live it. It's nice to expierence it from the outside and then go and live my pretty normal married life to my soul mate here in Brooklyn. Like most of my friends, I am a dorky kind of gal with a sling of cool jobs on my resume but I get no greater joy than clipping coupons and going grocery shopping. Have I seen you in C-Town on 9th Street? I bet I have! Thanks for the great book and all of your great articles over the years!
Posted by: Robin Mishik-Jett | July 29, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Jancee -
Your book was 100% entertaining and memorable. I would read a chapter and then tell my husband the story in detail so he basically read and enjoyed the book too.
We're also in Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens) - sort of newly - and I am also a "southerner" somewhere deep inside. Also, I'm a recovering tabloid junkie and a music lover so your book was like my fix.
Here's to you! Thanks for the laughs -
~Anita
Posted by: Anita Wagner | August 07, 2006 at 07:16 AM
I have just finished reading Jancee's book and it was AMAZING!! Its made me totally jealous of her cool and hip lifestyle and there are so many funny stories that made me howl with laughter!!
She's great!!
Posted by: gemma | September 01, 2006 at 04:32 AM
Hysterical I laughed through the whole book. I too am from a family of 3 girls I being the middle child and more like Dinah, but my little sister is just like you and I live vicariously through her. We grew up in Western N.Y., I graduated also in "84" so I went through the big hair days and all the music you talked about in the book I totally related to. I remember seeing you on GMA. I do not remember the articles in Rolling Stone because that was at a time when I was only engrossed in Parents magazine and highlights for kids!! Anyway thanks for a great read I was happy to see you Got married, Any kids Yet? I'll be looking for future work from you, thanks again Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer O | September 05, 2006 at 03:56 PM
Jancee:
I literally JUST finished reading your book, and sat down at the computer immediately to check out this site. (Quite honestly, I was mostly curious to see if things with Tom had worked out...)
Your life (minus the slips into the 'real' world of rock and roll) is like a faraway dream to me. As an aspiring writer and an avid music fanatic, Rolling Stone would be like a dream come true. I just wanted to say congrats on actually accomplishing it.
-Mandi
Posted by: Mandi | October 08, 2006 at 02:47 PM
I just finished your book and absolutely loved it. I'm such a pop culture junkie that your stories of the rich and famous quenched my thirst for celebrity knowledge! Please please please please write more!
Posted by: Erin Dougherty | November 01, 2006 at 11:54 AM
For the record, your "lack of polish," was what made you worth watching. It's so rare to see a normal person on the TV. I remember being immediately struck by your natural demeanor during the few times I saw you on MTV2. Tina Fey has the same quality. You should call her up and make an appearance on "30 Rock" . . .
Kerry Echols
Managing Editor
Black & White
Posted by: Kerry Echols | December 29, 2006 at 09:10 PM
I am halfway through your book, and I just can't put it down. I took a break to check out your website but I need to hurry back.
I remember seeing you on MTV2 about ten years ago. It's been about 16 years since I've subscribed to Rolling Stone, but I hope to dig up some old issues and read some of your interviews. My roommates and I used to decorate our dorm room with covers from RS, and those Absolute Vodka liquor ads.
Anyway, thanks for the book, and I'll keep checking out your blog. I haven't been that many places in the world but my best friend lives in Jersey City. I've ridden the PATH Train from there to Manhattan several times.
I have to get back to the book. Keep rocking and writing. :-)
Linda
PS I still can't believe that you saved the Velveeta from Dolly. Do you still have it?
Posted by: LA | February 09, 2007 at 08:37 PM
im happy i came across this blog it was interesting to read
Posted by: http://www.bucon.co.uk | May 10, 2007 at 06:48 AM
I am not sure if my comment went through, but very good blog!
Posted by: Jeremy Mills | May 24, 2007 at 02:10 AM
Your book was an absolute hoot. I blew through it in 1 day.
Posted by: Judy Sykes | August 04, 2007 at 02:23 PM
We want you back at MTV2!!! If that "Leave Britney Alone!" kid can get a reality TV show, then why can't we have one of you!? No really. I'm serious. I'd even get HBO to see that. And I'm really cheap.
Posted by: Bonnie | September 19, 2007 at 06:22 PM
JANCEE!! ah, I'm so happy that I found your blog- I finished your book, and have read many of your writings, I look up to you so much because I relate to your humor and your outlook, musings, wit, etc...and you happen to have a career that I could only dream for...I'm taking notes, and I hope to find the success you have someday. WRITE ANOTHER BOOK, I was laughing my face off. ;)
Posted by: Chelsea | October 14, 2007 at 01:16 AM
Hi Jancee
I'm an 80's/hair/nail Jersey girl now living a darkly attired anti suburban life in Munich. A friend here gave me your book knowing how much I'd enjoy it. I'm nearly finished and I've laughed out loud countless times. Our young adulthood experiences were so identical that I wonder why my career path hasn't led me to interviewing celebrities?
Posted by: Jen Canale | January 19, 2008 at 03:51 AM
I just have to say-- I have read your book over, and over again!! Being a "celebrity-obsessee" (i made that word up!)-- Your book is the epitome of getting the real juice and dirt behind the camera and pages of the interviews of my favorite celebs. Not to mention I feel like I know you now-- you're not just a name and face that Ive read and seen countless times over the years.
I still can't believe you were ALONE with Brad Pitt-- THE g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s, talented *sigh* Brad Pitt. ALONE!! You have got to be THE luckiest woman alive, well besides Angelina of course!! hehe AND Madonna-- Bono-- you are amazing and just plain lucky. But, you know what-- you deserve all the success you've achieved!
Your writing style is so engaging-- I couldnt put the book down!! You are so relatable-- the way you describe your nervousness... the sweaty palms... the racing heart! I just wanted you to know-- Im such a HUGE fan!!
Thank you!!
:)
Nicole Husenaj
Posted by: Nicole | July 21, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Just finished your 2nd book and totally LOVED it. Please write more books! I laughed so hard on the parts about Lily's dad's series of lectures. Took me back to my dad's lectures. Thanks for the road trip!
Posted by: Susan Boyer | September 08, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Hi Jancee!
So, I'm neither from New Jersey, nor a child of the 80's---just a small, Asian girl living in South Mississippi, yet somehow the stories in But Enough About Me seem so familiar. I too have a safety-conscious dad who gives me incomprehensible tokens like "mace on a chain" and doom-filled lectures about identity theft! Yes indeed, people really ARE more alike than different. Keep writing, its so great.
Posted by: Ivy | February 06, 2009 at 08:00 PM
I stayed up all night reading your book and stifling giggles so as not to wake up my boyfriend! You are hilarious!
I once saw the inside of Madonna's office as well. I had a flirtation with one of her bodyguards who brought me into her sanctum during after hours...remember the letter from fellini on the wall?
Looking forward to all your continued writing!
Posted by: lala | March 10, 2009 at 08:52 AM
I once saw the inside of Madonna's office as well. I had a flirtation with one of her bodyguards
Posted by: ffxiv gil | June 19, 2010 at 01:01 AM