As Alanis Morissette‘s iconic album, Jagged Little Pill, turns 30, it is to be celebrated and explored in the new book Alanis: Thirty Years of Jagged Little Pill. Written by music journalist and author, Selena Fragassi, the volume is available from June 24, 2025. Find out more below.
Alanis: Thirty Years of Jagged Little Pill stands as a testament and a tribute to an album where, as Fragassi reflects, “every time you listen to it, you uncover more and more of its messages, and yourself—at that exact moment.” For millions of fans, this timeless work continues to resonate and reveal new layers of meaning.
On June 13, 1995, 21-year-old Alanis Morissette released Jagged Little Pill, an existential awakening of sexuality, a rail against sexism, and a confessional catch-all of topics related to anxiety, depression, angst, eating disorders, religious dogma, and beauty standards. The raw emotion and introspective lyrics of tracks such “You Oughta Know,” “Ironic,” and “Hand in My Pocket” struck a chord with fans around the world. Alanis became a voice for millions of young women, providing both a sense of identity and inspiration.
The album helped open more space for more confessional singer-songwriters that rose to the top later in the decade, as Fragassi explains: “The beauty of an album like Jagged Little Pill is not just its raw power, its unbridled honesty…it’s an invitation to feel along with that.” Alanis: Thirty Years of Jagged Little Pill, explores how that came to be – the album’s creation, the music, and its massive impact, and features:
Intimate interviews with Alanis Morissette’s early collaborators, including her first manager Scott Welch, publicist Mitch Schneider, and acclaimed women music journalists who provide perspective on her rise
Quotes from many of today’s biggest music icons – including Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift – showcasing how Jagged Little Pill shaped their artistic journeys.
A deep dive into the meaning and inspiration behind each track, offering a fresh perspective on the album’s raw lyrics and melodies.
Rare photographs charting Alanis’s transformation and the development of her seminal album.
An exploration of the album’s enduring influence, from its Broadway adaptation to its continued celebration in popular culture.
About the author:
Selena Fragassi is a 17-year music journalist who is currently a featured contributor for the Chicago Sun-Times as well as SPIN and Loudwire. Her bylines have also appeared in The A.V. Club, Paste, Nylon, Popmatters, Blurt, Under the Radar, and Chicago Magazine, where she was previously on staff as pop/rock critic. Artists she’s interviewed include Jennifer Hudson, Andra Day, Chrissie Hynde, Demi Lovato, Debbie Harry, Slash, Deftones, Evanescence, Alice Cooper, Jack White, The Black Keys, Charlie Puth, Bon Jovi, and Bonnie Raitt, among many others. Selena’s work has been anthologized in That Devil Music: Best Music Writing and she has appeared on televised panels regarding music matters for WTTW’s Chicago Tonight program. She is the author of the books Greta: The Work, Life, and Style of Greta Gerwig, New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration and NSYNC 30th Anniversary Celebration, with more to come. Selena lives in Chicago.
Book Specs: Hardcover, 224 pages ∙ $24.99 US, $32.99 CAN ∙ ISBN: 9780760395677