But Enough About Me
Jancee Dunn
Reviewed by Amy Lignor
Dear Reader
This book is an absolute “gem.” That’s the word that REALLY
fits. There are so many paragraphs, chapters, jokes – that are
poignant, hysterical, remarkable, meaningful – that there are not
enough adjectives to describe the compilation of stories from her life.
Beginning in New Jersey in the 1980’s, Jancee Dunn was happy. She
was one of those girls that didn’t care for the “Jersey” jokes.
She loved her location and place in life: trips down to the shore,
Bruce Springsteen concerts, and fun journeys to the mall with close
friends. She was a music lover who submitted her resume to
Rolling Stone magazine and, before she knew it, she was rubbing
shoulders with Brad Pitt, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and more.
The parts of this book where she relays the “fish out of water”
syndrome – being a Jersey girl shoved into the New York City limelight
– are tremendously and unequivocally tender and lovely.
And, by the way, this is a memoir. This really happened.
Jancee Dunn, the author, has worked for Rolling Stone since 1989, was a
correspondent for Good Morning America, an MTV veejay and a writer for
countless magazines. I want to share every word with you because
it is so difficult to pick from the “gems” that are woven throughout
these chapters but, alas, there is not enough room.
Let’s just say that from her doting mother to her tremendously witty
father – from the love and fantastic relationship she has with her
sisters to her best friends who share in her dreams and failures –
every page of this memoir is a “must read.” The chapters that
recount her interviews with the rich and famous are hysterical.
After reading them you will want so much to meet Dolly and cook fudge
in Loretta Lynn’s kitchen – whereas other famous stars that you may
have loved – you’ll want to never see one of their concerts again.
There are stories of being spotted as Ben Affleck’s girlfriend and
hiking with Brad Pitt. Helpful hints on how to interview an
A-list subject without making them so upset that they send their
handler in to, well, handle you. These stories are not only
charming but would be a real help for anyone who wants to break into
the celebrity interviewing circle. She knows her stuff. She
took a lot of hits to get there – but she took them with spice,
sarcasm, friendship and fun.
Read this. Enjoy this. Love this. I’ve always said
there are too many boring people in this world. I am extremely
happy that Jancee Dunn is an original and I hope someday to run into
her on the street and thank her personally for the enjoyable experience
of this book.