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Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned"
Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" | Lena Dunham
106 posts | 290 read | 4 reading | 72 to read
An international bestseller and literary sensation, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is the hilarious, original, poignant, and extremely frank collection of personal essays from Lena Dunham - the acclaimed creator, producer, and star of HBO's GIRLS. Lena Dunham is one of the most original young talents writing today. In NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL, Dunham illuminates the experiences that are part of making one's way in the world: falling in love, feeling alone, being ten pounds overweight despite eating only health food, having to prove yourself to a room full of men twice your age, finding true love, and most of all, having the guts to believe that your story is one that deserves to be told. Exuberant, moving and keenly observed, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is a series of dispatches from the frontlines of the struggle that is growing up. 'I'm already predicting my future shame at thinking I had anything to offer you,' Dunham writes. 'But if I can take what I've learned and make one menial job easier for you, or prevent you from having the kind of sex where you feel you must keep your sneakers on in case you want to run away during the act, then every misstep of mine will have been worthwhile.' An international bestseller, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is now available in paperback, with two new essays. 'NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is hilarious, artful, and staggeringly intimate; I read it shivering with recognition' - Miranda July
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Kshakal
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Eggs Perfect! 4mo
32 likes1 comment
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RebeccaRoo7
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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I'm a sucker for cute little illustrations in books. The simplest image can add so much to the story.

#illustrations #art #gates #whimsy

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RebeccaRoo7
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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There's nothing like going to your nearby bar/wine bar alone and enjoying a good read. The first part of this book is hilarious and completely raw. Still working on finishing it...hopefully this weekend.

#nonfiction ##readKY #spring #2024 #March #readalone #bestseller #women

lazydaizee Sounds like fun. 9mo
RebeccaRoo7 @lazydaizee it was okay. The first part was good and made me laugh out loud several times. 9mo
8 likes2 comments
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Kris10H
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

⭐⭐⚡ Meh.
I have never, to my recollection, watched anything by or starring Lena Dunham. Why did I pick this book then? Truly, because I've heard her name many times in tones of reverence, and thought maybe I should know who she is. She is a very good descriptive writer, but I found the memoir a bit all over the place/aimless. Now is when I usually start binging all the author's shows, movies, etc., but I do not feel compelled to in this case 🤷‍♀️

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KaylaJM
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

I wish I read this before I watched Girls.

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kricheal
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Pickpick

I really loved her show Girls, but I was nervous reading this based on the mixed reviews. I did enjoy it. She's quite the character. #37 #2019

63 likes4 stack adds
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kricheal
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Starting this next on #overdrive #currentlylistening

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DogHairDontCare
Mehso-so

I dunno why, It just didn't capture me. To be honest, I'm not sure I finished it.

3 likes1 stack add
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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

#MoreMehThanYeah If you haven‘t read this already, I wouldn‘t really recommend it.

While I appreciate Dunham‘s accomplishments, she certainly had a leg up with family and general NYC connections. There‘s nothing inherently wrong with having a privileged upbringing, but she just doesn‘t acknowledge that a lot of what she “learned” was due to that. 3⭐️

#somethingwrittenbyawoman #nonfiction2019

PS I do like how she stood up for women‘s health!

Lizpixie Wow. You are kicking butt in this challenge! #ChallengeQueen 6y
Megabooks @Lizpixie Thank you!! 👑 6y
86 likes2 comments
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Cinfhen
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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#TimbitTunes Lena Dunham is #ThatGirl a modern day Brooklynite; outspoken & frank. Crude and unapologetic her “memoir” struck me as a little too self indulgent. As I‘m really not a fan of the HBO series Girls, nor do I follow Lena Dunham on Social Media her book of shared lessons was a waste of time for me.

mrsh62010 She‘s a terrible person. 6y
Cinfhen She didn‘t come across as remarkable or special, that‘s for sure @mrsh62010 😉 6y
TrishB Never seen or read, but don‘t think I‘m the demographic for this! 6y
See All 14 Comments
Susannah She‘s very problematic, but I don‘t know that I would say she‘s a terrible person. She just strikes me as the epitome of all the worst impulses of Millenials—she‘s never had a thought she didn‘t think it vital to share—and she reeks of privilege that she gives only superficial acknowledgement. (And much of the above is my age coming out. Now get off my lawn, Lena Dunham!😁) (edited) 6y
Cathythoughts I don‘t know this one at all ... sounds perfect for prompt ♥️👍🏻 6y
Cinfhen I agree @Susannah she does embody the worst of millennials and you‘re probably right too @TrishB I was/am the wrong audience for her shtick 6y
Cinfhen I think you can skip this book @Cathythoughts it didn‘t hold too much literary merit 😜 6y
KarenUK I‘m not a huge fan either, but I think to write, act and produce a very popular show at such a young age is pretty amazing, particularly when she has major health challenges. It‘s worth reading the chapter about her in this book. Reading all the comments here reminded me of it. (edited) 6y
KarenUK She‘s definitely someone that people react strongly too! 😂 6y
Cinfhen I think you raise a good point @KarenUK don‘t have to be a fan or agree with everything she says or does to recognize she has accomplished quite a lot in her young life. 6y
TheKidUpstairs I was never a fan of Girls, and I've never really connected with Lena Dunham. I think I'm just that little bit too old. But I agree with @KarenUK she has accomplished a lot for such a young woman, so I will tip my hat to her for that. 6y
LeahBergen I was a fan of Girls but not a big fan of this book. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
teebe I agree with @mrsh62010 . And a lot of the issues with her re: privilege, racism, etc. aren‘t generational. The one thing that‘s very millennial about her is her own belief in how “feminist” and “woke” she is (then again, hippies in the 60s were the same 🤷🏻‍♀️) (edited) 6y
Cinfhen I think it‘s Lena Dunham @TheKidUpstairs @LeahBergen @teebe she‘s just not “personable” and I think it‘s part age/ immaturity and part upbringing #MyTwoCents Thankfully there are MANY more young women who are role models and people to admire 6y
118 likes1 stack add14 comments
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tjwill
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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I‘ve never read anything of Dunham‘s, but I totally agree with this quote. @kaye Here‘s a link to my Pinterest board of Quotes on Reading if you need it: https://pin.it/ozybcc54fukglr

Daisey I always enjoy more reading quotes and just followed your board! 😍 6y
Kaye Thank you ♥️ 6y
61 likes2 comments
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IndoorDame
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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As promised, Dunham lays it all unflinching, uncomfortably bare.
What I like about memoirs written by people this young is you get to see what interests them just by virtue of what topics they write about. This book focuses on art, education, mental and physical health, sex, family, body image. But makes almost no mention of politics, money, social justice, technology or hundreds of other issues cause they‘re clearly not focuses in Dunham‘s life.

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IndoorDame
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Look at the charming little gift I found when I opened up my new library book! Shall I keep it as my new bookmark, or send it on in the world for the next patron to enjoy as well?

wanderinglynn That‘s awesome! 👍🏻 6y
21 likes1 comment
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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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?? https://www.zeit.de/kultur/literatur/2014-10/lena-dunham-not-that-kind-of-girl/k...

Ich könnte so viel kritisieren, aber wenn ich einmal anfange, höre ich nicht mehr auf, fürchte ich.

Was bleibt, ist das Gefühl, dass Lena keine Freunde/Eltern hatte, die sie wieder in die Spur gesetzt/ihr Grenzen aufgezeigt haben. Sie kommt mir ein bisschen vor wie das „arme, reiche Mädchen“.

Wenn das der neue heiße Sch**ß ist, dann gute Nacht.

julesG Autsch! 6y
Buechersuechtling @julesG Der „Zeit“-Artikel oder meine Aussage❓ es kann natürlich auch einfach sein, dass es mir geht, wie jeder Generation mit der nach ihr, dass sie nicht mehr versteht. 6y
julesG Beides. Dein Review ist gut und der Zeit-Artikel auch. Ich glaube, mit der Generation tue ich mich auch sehr schwer. 6y
Buechersuechtling @julesG Dem möchte ich zumindest in Teilen widersprechen. Ich kenne einige Leute, die dieser Generation angehören und niemand von denen ist oder verhält sich vergleichbar. (edited) 6y
julesG Die Frage ist, Altersgruppe oder Generation? Ich gehöre einer bestimmten Altersgruppe an, zähle mich aber nicht zur gleichen Generation bzw irgendwie gehöre ich zu mehr als einer Generation. Anyway, ich bezog mich mehr auf die Generation der "Girl" fans und somit auf die Lenas; es sind nicht alle Lenas, die Mitte Zwanzig sind. Zum Glück. 6y
3 likes5 comments
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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Schon als ich mit dem Hörbuch begonnen habe, habe ich mich übrigens gefragt, was für eine Art Mädchen Lena nicht ist.
Dazu findet sich in dem ganzen Buch keine Aussage. Das wiederum passt aber zu Lena: viel heiße Luft.

Versteht mich richtig, es anzuhören tat nicht weh und es hat tatsächlich ein bis drei Stellen mit erzählenswerten Aussagen, aber für alle mit gesundem Menschenverstand und Zielen im Leben ist es überflüssig.

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Panpan

Hätte ich das Buch abgebrochen, wäre mir genauso viel im Gedächnis geblieben wie jetzt, wo ich es beendet habe.
Nämlich nichts.
Eine Nabelschau ohne Mehrwert, in der Lena in mir noch nicht einmal dann Mitgefühl geweckt hat, wenn die geschilderte Situation es eigentlich erfordert hätte. Ich finde Lena unreif und undiszipliniert. Was sie erlebt, ist grob das, was alle beim Erwachsenwerden erleben und es wird grundlos gehypt. Spart euch die Lektüre.

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Das ist jetzt nicht wahr, oder❓

Bei Stunde 5 und 20 Minuten erklärt sie nicht wirklich jemandem, von dessen Bart-Mode ich noch nie irgendwas gehört habe, dass die Tatsache wie er seinen Bart trägt und offenkundig nicht pflegt, ein offensichtliches Zeichen dafür ist, dass er emotional aus dem Gleichgewicht geraten ist.

Öhm.
Glashaus. Sitzen. Steine werfen.❓??‍♀️

julesG Ich seh schon, ich brauche dieses Buch nicht lesen. 6y
julesG +zu (Wer 'brauchen' ohne 'zu' gebraucht, ist nicht mehr zu gebrauchen.) 6y
Buechersuechtling @julesG Nein, das brauchst du wirklich nicht. Es ist zwar nicht besonders ärgerlich, es zu lesen, tut also auch nicht „weh“, aber mein Geschmack bzw. jemand meines Alters erkennt darin nur ein Mittel zum Geldverdienen. Es ist ansonsten leer und nichtssagend. Es hinterlässt einfach keinen bleibenden Eindruck. – Doch, vielleicht ein: „Häh❓?“ (edited) 6y
julesG Örgs! 6y
Buechersuechtling @julesG 😂 🙌🏼 6y
5 likes5 comments
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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Ich bin tatsächlich an dem Punkt angekommen, an dem das Buch entweder besser wird oder ich mich daran gewöhnt habe.

Ich sehe ein, dass ich alles bin, nur nicht Lenas Zielgruppe, trotzdem erstaunt mich (ebenso wie ihre Eltern) die Handlungsarmut und die Tatsache, dass sie Erfolg hat. Inzwischen habe ich gelernt, dass sich an ihr die Geister scheiden und sie mitnichten das „Sprachrohr“ ihrer Generation ist. Aber ehrlich, warum sollte sie auch❓

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Ich habe jetzt knapp 2 Stunden gehört und habe mich währenddessen immer wieder gefragt, ob das, was Lena zu erzählen hat, meinem früheren, eventuell ebenso unsicheren Ich weitergeholfen hätte.

Ich glaube es jedoch nicht, weil die Erkenntnis, dass etwas falsch läuft oder man sich als Frau zu viel gefallen lässt, aus einem selbst kommen muss. Das ist der Kern von Persönlichkeitsentwicklung – und die ist in diesem Buch noch nicht auszumachen.

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Es mag (vor)verurteilend sein, aber ich frage mich, was es wohl sein kann, das eine Mitte 20-jährige „im Leben so gelernt hat“, das so bahnbrechend ist, dass es alle Welt wissen muss.
Ich sage nicht, dass es nicht sein kann, dass es „lange“ dauert bis man als Frau so gefestigt ist, dass man sich aus dem Bedürfnis heraus angenommen zu werden, nicht mehr alles gefallen lässt. Hat man jedoch zu sich gefunden, braucht man Lena nicht mehr, denke ich.

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Nora Tschirner ist die perfekte Vorleserin dafür. Inhaltlich weiß ich allerdings noch nicht genau, was ich davon halten soll.

Lena macht es mir leicht, mir überlegen vorzukommen. Bisher fokussiert sie sich auf Sex und erzählt wenig über ihre konkreten Lebensumstände, was es schwer macht, ihre Erzählung einzuordnen. Stellenweise verhält sie sich sehr naiv und scheint auch mit zunehmendem Alter wenig Reife oder Selbsterkenntnis gewonnen zu haben.

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Buechersuechtling
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Ehrlich: Ich habe keine Ahnung wer Lena Dunham ist und von ihrer Serie habe ich auch noch nie gehört. ? Aber in letzter Zeit begegnet mir Lena Dunham überall. Scheint, als sei sie das neue Vorbild für junge Frauen oder so. Keine Ahnung.

Auf das Hörbuch bin ich in meiner Onleihe zufällig gestoßen. Es hat dort zwar keine guten Bewertungen, aber ich will mir von dem neuen „Star“, den man wohl irgendwie kennen muss, ein eigenes Bild machen.

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hike.read.repeat
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By finishing this book, I completed my Goodreads goal for 2018.

It was really an anti goal bc I‘ve found that in previous years when I was struggling to keep up, I‘d read shorter books just to stay on top of it. This year I‘m only worrying about the #readharderchallenge and not quantity.

JoScho 💖🎉💖 6y
DivineDiana 👏🏻📚👏🏻 6y
RavenLovelyReads Great job! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
MaggieCarr I'm working on my #ReadHarderChallenge too :) 6y
32 likes4 comments
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hike.read.repeat
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Pickpick

PCT miles hiked: 1300
Books completed on trail: 7

I‘ve seen a lot of hate on this book. She def says some problematic things but overall it was an entertaining listen. Might have been more annoyed with it if I had to actually read it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

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melyndarae
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Spotted Lena Dunham's book at Dollar General for a $1. I'm not a huge fan of hers but figured I could give it a shot for only $1 lol.
#bargainbooks

38 likes1 stack add
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Serenity_Within86
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Serenity_Within86
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Really relatable,honest and funny.

12 likes1 stack add
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Victoriahoperose
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Pickpick

I know a lot of people really hate Lena Dunham and this book. I‘m indifferent to her as I really don‘t know too much about her. And I enjoyed this book. It was funny and I found it to be honest and I could relate to her in some ways. There were parts that were a bit slow or annoying, but overall, I liked this one.

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Jess7
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
Mehso-so

I finished listening to this audiobook this evening. I admire Dunham‘s ability to put her self unapologetically out there for public consumption, but I would be lying if I didn‘t admit that some of her stories annoyed me. Some of her stories came off a tad shallow, but at least she does seem aware of her own privilege. I liked her writing style and this book is worth reading if you enjoyed #GIRLS. Overall I give this book a 3/5 stars #JPBookreview

VanChocStrawberry Are there memoirs you would recommend? I typically find them self-indulgent and give up, but I “have” to read one by a celebrity for the Read Harder challenge this year. 7y
Jess7 I recommend Trevor Noah‘s Born a Crime!! Have you read it? It‘s a great one! @VanChocStrawberry or I Am Malala! (edited) 7y
VanChocStrawberry Thanks! I was leaning toward Noah‘s Book. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Jess7 You‘re welcome. It‘s great. His story is very good. It‘s heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny and super interesting! @VanChocStrawberry 7y
L_auren Same!! 7y
127 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Jess7
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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1. #NotThatKindOfGirl by #LenaDunham
2. Pink Starburst
3. Millennial 1980-2000s
4. Target Up & Up hand sanitizer
5. Hopefully catch up on reading! 📚

Not That Kind of Girl is a “hilarious, wise, and fiercely candid collection of personal essays” by Lena Dunham, illuminating her experiences about making her place in the world.
#HumpDayPost

MissAimz_55 I love pink and red starburst 7y
115 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Babs_book_obsession
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
Panpan

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it like some readers. It is basically all her crazy thoughts shared with the world and some are more crazy than others. I think it grates on people because she is naive at times, but aren't we all, and she seems a bit oblivious to how privileged she is. This is annoying but she is really young to write a memoir and this is the only life she has known.

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alanacristin
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Used bookstore finds here in #Tokyo. Babe is excited to see Elmo in a book 😃#babyreads #mommyreads #bookhaul

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Josie
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Pickpick

Alright, I know that there are people that have problems with certain passages in this book. I have always loved Lena Dunham and her work. Her show "Girls" helped me through my 20s. That being said, there was nothing in this book that has turned me against her. I was able to relate to a lot of her essays. My only grievance is that she didn't talk very much about Girls.

Caroline2 Ohhh I loved Girls!! ❤️ 7y
Josie @Caroline2 me too!!! I'm going to watch it all again starting this fall. 7y
mrsthilkey I love Lena and Girls! 7y
ephemeralwaltz I'm currently watching Girls and I've fallen in love with her character! 7y
Josie @ephemeralwaltz one of my all time favorite shows. Dunham gets a lot of shit thrown her way, and some of it she deserves. But I also think people focus too much on her personal life to really see how good her work is. I cried when Girls ended last year. I spent my 20s with them! 7y
62 likes5 comments
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Jilljemmett
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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I‘ve loved so many nonfiction books that I‘ve read recently, so I really should read more of that genre.


#book2school (A Genre You Want To Read More Of)


#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookblogger #bibliophile #books #nonfiction #memoir

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Cconnolly
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

I listened to the audio book at work and on my commute, and didn't hate it. There's nothing heavy here, but I did chuckle and could relate to some of those same feelings as a junior high girl, and on into my college years. Sticking with biographical audio books while at work, suggestions?

12 likes3 comments
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Clwojick
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Current audiobook 👌

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Smartypants
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Ahhh...the Internet boyfriend. Life was so simple then, just the expectation that you type at least 45 WPM. 👏🏼

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cristiana_de_sousa
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Misanthropester
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

"vague irritant"

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Misanthropester
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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always made sense to me

night_shift My husband does this 😂😂 7y
Misanthropester I can't seem to stop doing it. Teaching doesn't help 7y
3 likes2 comments
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Misanthropester
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Apparently there will be comic illustrations...

2 likes1 stack add
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Misanthropester
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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I kinda dislike Dunham in the same way & degree I hate Entourage so here's hoping this changes my mind

hermyknee ...this made me dislike her more. 7y
Misanthropester @hermyknee see, I suspect that just may happen 7y
Megabooks I did not really care for this. 7y
Misanthropester Turns out, I didn't hate it but realized Dunham is the type of person that's far too draining/exhausting for me to ever engage with on any lvl @Booksandcooks @hermyknee 7y
7 likes1 stack add4 comments
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noseinabookagain
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
Mehso-so

I have never watched an episode of girls, and barely knew who Lena Dunham was so read this book with no expectations.

Very honest, a lot of tmi, but overall I think she cinched what she was trying to do - to give people an inside look at what life is like as a twenty something in today's world. As a twenty something myself I found it relatable. Give it a shot if you're after some humour and self-involvement!

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CityLitBooks
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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We're sad to hear that Lena had to cancel the Lenny tour (you can check out the full explanation at lennyletter.com), and wish her the best! If you signed up for our contest, don't despair - it is still on! You won't be able to meet Lena, but we are still giving away signed copies of her book. If you had tickets to the show, send us a message before May 30th for your chance to win!

2 likes1 stack add
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CityLitBooks
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Got your tickets for Lenny America IRL? That's all you need for the chance to win signed copies of Not That Kind of Girl and to meet Lena Dunham! DM us to get your name into the drawing and we'll let the winner know before June 2nd.
And check out these books by Lenny contributors Kaitlyn Greenidge, Jacqueline Novak, and Chloe Caldwell before the tour!



#citylitbooks #logansquare #chicago #lennyletter #lennyamericairl

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apennell
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
Pickpick

I'll read this again and again. Love the way Dunham pushes boundaries and overshares.

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SG2014
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Bailedbailed

I can't do it. I am not the sort of person to give up on something once I've started, but I can't listen to Lena talk about who she did or did not sleep with/lie beside. Maybe I didn't struggle in the same ways she did as a young woman growing up (actually that is most certainly true), but for whatever reason, I'm bailing.
Now to find the next audiobook...

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keelymorgan
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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Mehso-so

🎧I'm torn between so-so and pick on this one. I listened to the audio and enjoyed hearing Lena narrate her stories. I'm a fan of her podcast (Women of the Hour), HBO's Girls, and Lena herself. But this just didn't do it for me. I don't regret listening but wouldn't recommend it to just anyone...

Megabooks Yes, I didn't love it either! 8y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SG2014
Not That Kind of Girl | Lena Dunham
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A little book listening and knitting on this relaxing Saturday. Poor kitty can't get her naps in because I keep moving the yarn...haha. I'll pay for this later, I'm sure.
Oh ya, seriously hope Lena moves past her sex life. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take.

Cinfhen Pretty yarn 😊 8y
6 likes1 comment