She's Telling You

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More About

• Jen Lancaster
• Prada Bag
• Unemployment Office
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Books and Literature

I've read my share of self-deprecating memoirs/collections of essays meant to read like memoirs from lovely, funny women. I have a love/hate relationship with such books and their authors--Laurie Notaro, Chelsea Handler, Sloane Crosley and the like. Then there's Jen Lancaster. I can safely say that although I've not read all of her books, there's something different about her. I'm not comparing writing talent or humor or even who has the better book cover, but there's something real about Lancaster and, girls, here's how you can tell (let me know if you don't agree): the subtitles of her books. Like a real live woman, she can't leave it with just a witty title, she's gotta get it all out, right there on the cover. Examples: Bitter Is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. Also: Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer. Now, I can read my own. I'm a chatty, wordy bitch, and that Lancaster is a sister. Have her sign your copy of her latest, Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase 7 p.m. Monday at Barnes & Noble, 7700 W. Northwest Highway. Call 214-739-1124.
Mon., May 11, 2009