Lena Dunham has been someone I’ve admired for quite a while. I think that she’s an important public figure in that she seems like a pretty down-to-earth person with a lot of interesting things to say, especially about gender relations and mental health. I am a huge fan of her show GIRLS and I devoured her newly-released memoir Not That Kind of Girl in two days (in my opinion, I read it a little too quickly, but that’s what re-reads are for, right?). So, when I managed to snag tickets to see her in Toronto, I was over the moon.
When I watched GIRLS for the first time, I was in a place in my life where I felt like I was getting it together but also not really getting it. I found a lot of myself (and my friends) in the girls in the show, and the honesty with which it portrayed women (or, at least, a group of women) really impressed me. I finally felt like there was a show that was real; it wasn’t sugar-coated or tied up neatly. I could relate to it. Oh, and did I mention that on top of that it’s also funny and thought-provoking? Because it’s both of those things too.
I’m happy to report that Lena in person is just as impressive as Lena on screen or Lena in writing. Her answers to interviewer Johanna Schneller’s questions were smart, humorous, and honest. She was very articulate and charming and I agreed with a lot of the things she said. Since I was basically in awe the whole time I was at the event (honestly, it felt like such a surreal night), I didn’t think to write down any quotes; luckily, Jessica from Paper Trail Diary has a wonderful re-cap that I urge you to check out.
After her on-stage interview, Lena signed copies of her book. She was incredibly friendly and really took the time to talk to each of her fans. She even personalized each book, which I wasn’t expecting her to do since the line up was so long. I was a jumble of nerves when talking to her but I managed to get a few words out and I’m glad I got the chance to tell her how much I love her work. It was truly a magical night.
Now, here’s the fun part! I want to share my love for Lena Dunham with YOU! I was able to get an extra copy of the book signed, so I’m giving it away to one lucky reader!
**CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY**
CONTEST RULES:
1. No purchase necessary.
2. Open to residents of Canada + the United States only.
3. If a winner is picked and their Twitter account only has giveaway entries, I will choose again.
I want the winner to genuinely enjoy these books!
4. Have fun and good luck!
Are you a fan of Lena Dunham? Will you be checking out (or have you read) Not That Kind of Girl?
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I would really love for my daughters to have a chance to read this book. They are 23 and I think they’d probably enjoy it.
I have seen a lot of great reviews of this book and I would love a chance to read it. Thanks so much!
I am literally so excited for this giveaway. I’ve wanted to read this book for a long time because I think Dunham is such a great voice for feminism.
I’ve been wanting to get a signed copy of Lena’s book but couldn’t make it to any events near me! I would SO appreciate the chance to win this one! So jealous you got to meet her! 😀
I would love to read Not That Kind of Girl. I like a lot of what Lena Dunham has to say and enjoy that she says it with humour.
It’s great to hear she’s so friendly! I really need to try to find more author events to go to. I’m also stoaked you’re doing a giveaway!
I am infinitely jealous that you got to meet Lena Dunham last night! I love the show Girls and since finishing Lena’s book a few days ago I am officially obsessed with her. I would love a signed copy of her book as I also plan on are-reading it!
How embarrassing I logged in under my old account. My new website is http://www.likemotherlikedaughtercanada.blogspot.com and my name is Vanessa Heron:)
Lena Dunham is my idol! She is so fresh and not afraid to say it like it is!
I’ve heard so much in the press, but really have no first-hand experience with Lena Dunham. It would be fantastic to read this & find out more.
I have not yet read anything by Lena Dunham, but after your posts this week, there is not question that I will! Thanks for the enthusiasm you generated!
I love Lena Dunham! She’s an intelligent, thoughtful and hilarious writer. I’m missing her on Girls and need my Lena Fix, so I’d love to read her book! (It’s on my Christmas wish list but I’m hoping Christmas comes early.) And a signed copy! Woot woot!
I 100% want to read “Not That Kind of Girl”. I actually went to the bookstore to pick it up, but at that point I, unfortunately, couldn’t afford it. I love Lena Dunham and I think she is such a great role model for girls – she is talented and just keeps it real.
I am a fan and would love to read this!
I’m so glad you got to see her! It sounds like an incredible night 🙂
Still so very jealous. I love that she took the time to chat with each person there! But really, do we expect anything else from her? She’s a delight.
Sounds like a girl power fun read. Lena seems to be an intelligent role model who balance a lot of different hats. Will add this to my reading list.
aww thanks for the shout out! ❤ i did in fact write quotes down in my notebook 😉
I absolutely LOVE Lena Dunham. I heard her speak at Book Expo America 2014 and she is such a great engaging speaker and writer. I love her in Girls. Thanks for the giveaway opp!
Loie x
I would be honoured to meet Lena because my friends told me she is a great writer. My Russian name is Lena and that’s cool too.
I’m so impressed with that Lena is doing. I’d love to win a copy to read. 🙂
FYI – Contesters are consumers also and we DO READ!
I can’t wait to read this book – I’ve been eyeing it up ever since it came out! Lena’s a fascinating person, and if her style of writing is anything like the writing she does on Girls, it’s going to be great.
I have always admired Dunham’s work! We young women need more role models like her. She is so great at everything that she does that I’m sure her writing in book form is just as fantastic.
Really want to read this book. A perfect book to follow after reading Caitlin Moran’s How to Be a Woman.
She is so bright, and interesting! I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.
So interested to read what she has to say! I missed out on seeing her in TO. Would have been fun!
I think she is pretty cool, but honestly I don’t know that much about her!
I would absolutely love to win this book! I wasn’t able to make the signing (I’m so jealous) and am dying to read it. I’ve been a Lena fan since Tiny Furniture!
I love watching Girls and find Lena Dunham such an interesting person. The TV and film industry need more people like her to get recognition! Would love to have this book!
Lena sounds so great &;I’d love to read her book. Wgat a great writer for her show.im excited what her book will tell.. thnx much
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book as I’ve read some interesting excerpts.
I think reading her book would help me understand her better! I like the show Girls, but I’m on the fence about some of her other projects and some of the things she does.
I’m a fan of GIRLS and loved Lena Dunham’s interview with Roxane Gay on Vulture. How cool that you were able to meet her! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
I love Lena Dunham! She’s an intelligent voice of a generation: self-deprecating, honest, and just trying to figure it out, like the rest of us. I am a total word nerd, so I’d love to wins copy of her book to add to my collection!
My daughter put Lena’s book on her Xmas book list. I would like to win the autographed copy so can she can read it sooner.
I’ve heard of this book but not had a chance to read it yet. I’d love a copy to enjoy in my spare time.
I definitely want to read this. I just started watching Girls and love her!
I’m super excited for this book. I’m considering the audiobook too!
Lena is hilarious and yes, I am a fan! I love her Instagram posts!
I love her sense of humour & creativity! She is such a strong voice for women & I would love to read her new book. I was fortunate enough to attend the Just For Laughs Festival featuring her … I enjoyed her talk very much! The only bad thing is that Jian Ghomeshi was the host/interviewer. With all the sordid news currently about him, it has left a bitter taste in my mouth knowing that he was the interviewer, which seems like an affront to everything that Lena stands for.