“Not That Kind of Girl” by Lena Dunham

I was visiting NYC and stopped by Quimby’s. This book was jammed in between a handful of others at discount price. The title (Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tell’s You What She’s “Learned”) and the raving reviews on the cover intrigued me. Since it was only five bucks, I figured it would be worth the gamble. Disclaimer: I had no idea who Lena Dunham was or what her shows were before this book (in truth, I still don’t know lol).

The memoir is narrated with a devil-may-care attitude, brushing through vignettes of Dunham’s life. Although I don’t typically read melodrama (I don’t find it fun or funny), I was drawn in because of the author’s lighthearted honesty. Whether she’s analyzing an e-mail sent to an ex she was obsessed with (been there, done that) or recounting stories of therapy, molestation, OCD/ED/depression, and more (same), Dunham’s authentic, outrageous accounts are charming. I completely understand the casualness at which she speaks about seemingly heavy topics. (How else do you talk about shit like mental illness and rape without making everyone feel awkward?) Despite differences in our activities and beliefs, I connected with her on the core. She tries not to take life too seriously, as we all should.

It wasn’t a deep book or anything, but every now and then, a chapter would leave me in a reflective mood. I think if you wanted to, you could cut into her words and psychoanalyze her (as I did a few times), but this memoir is a casual read and should stay that way. It’s witty, humorous, and above all, authentic. Even if you’re not into ~drama~ like I am, you’ll probably still connect with Dunham. If I don’t have a tough time finishing a book (especially a “flippant” one), it’s alright to me, so check it out if you’d like some entertainment.

I’d give this 3 out of 5 pills in the purse.