Dendrophilia and Other Social Taboos: True Stories

Dani Burlison's collection of essays, named after her McSweeney's Internet Tendency column of the same name, is an exploration of the wacky, shameful, ridiculous and heartbreaking topics that the rest of us don't want to talk about. Part anthropological research on new age practices, part memoir with humorous and often brutally honest self-reflection, Dendrophilia covers the most absurd taboos that you never thought you actually really do want to talk about. --- "Dani Burlison is that rare writer who can rip her own heart out, lay it on the page, and still make you laugh with (sometimes jaded) recognition at the hilarity of it all. The way Dani sees the world will remind you why you like to read." Ariel Gore, author: HipMama Magazine, Bluebird and The End of Eve "Dani Burlison's writing makes me love the freak in me, the I made such a bad decision last night part of me, the sure that sounds like a great idea regretful me. Her writing is full of humor and humility, bravado and vulnerability; she makes me happy to be alive and reminds me that we are not alone." Tomas Moniz, Rad Dad and Bellies and Buffalos "Dani will locate and tickle your crazy-sad-funny bone." MariNaomi, author/artist of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 "In the essays, primarily set in the Bay Area counterculture, Burlison shares her experiences with readers as a kind of intermediary between normal reality and the plethora of bizarre and fantastic realms of Northern California's alt-lifestyles. Burlison narrates as a sardonic, yet down-to-earth tour guide. Thus, as the title implies, the book takes readers on a safari ride through a taboo-riddled landscape from a cuddle party where adults crawl around a room "like magical cows in a mystical forest" to a community center for old men celebrating the traditions of their Nordic Viking bloodline." Michael Sufro, Litseen: http: //litseen.com/?p=15919