Most girls reply with a "No" when I ask them if they know who Lena Dunham is. I couldn't be more disappointed. I first read her book two summers ago, then proceeded to reread it approximately five times for the rest of that summer. I couldn't get enough of it--the points she brought up, her blunt writing, her shocking stories that had me laughing then crying within a matter of seconds. For avid bookworms like myself, this was the one book that comes along only once in your life and changes it forever.

Lena Dunham is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. She is best known as the creator, writer and star of the HBO series "Girls," for which she has received numerous Emmy award nominations and two Golden Globe awards, as told by Wikipedia. She is also an active feminist and co-created the email-based, feminist letter called Lenny Letter. Because not enough girls know who she is, I've decided to reiterate Lena's best lessons she taught me through quotes from her bestseller book, "Not That Kind Of Girl."

1. “The end never comes when you think it will. It's always ten steps past the worst moment, then a weird turn to the left.”

As someone who believes everything bad happens to you all at once, or at least one thing right after the other, this one stuck with me. Peace can only be found when we're not looking for it. When acceptance has taken over and our climbings of our mountains have become routine, we reach the top suddenly and see the breathtaking life that's waiting for us on the other side.

2. “It's not brave to do something that doesn't scare you.”

To put it in context, think of it like this: You could stick to the bunny hill until you know it like the back of your hand, until you perfect it, until it's as easy as breathing, but you'll never even know what a black diamond hill feels like.

3. “There is nothing gutsier to me than a person announcing that their story is one that deserves to be told, especially if that person is a woman.”

This is my personal favorite quote from her book. My need to hear all sides of a story can only be satisfied by people who want to tell them, and I encourage everyone to get their perspective out there because one perspective can change the world.

4. “When someone shows you how little you mean to them and you keep coming back for more, before you know it you start to mean less to yourself.”

This is Lena's fancy way of urging us to get rid of the toxic people in our lives. If you find someone that takes from you, to only build on themselves, lose them right away before you have nothing left to give.

5. “Barbie’s disfigured. It’s fine to play with her just as long as you keep that in mind.”

Many of us may follow the latest fashion and beauty trends because we like it, because it makes us feel pretty and wanted, but the beauty trends are just a prolonged form of "dress-up;" they are started by those trying to reach for an unachievable natural state.

6. "Luxury is nice but creativity is nicer."

Success has never come from following the minds of others, only a sense of false security that you're where you belong.

7. “You will find...that there’s a certain grace to having your heart broken.”

Ever notice new things you pick up from your relationship? Things you hadn't noticed during the last one? With each heartbreak, your eyes become sharper, your spine becomes stronger, until you're standing as tall as any queen does when faced with a dilemma that could either harm or hurt your manifesto; in this case, your heart.

8. “The most terrifying aspect of human health is our refusal to take steps to help ourselves."

What I've always struggled with the most is taking someone's advice, although I usually have plenty to give. Lena brings into the light how little people listen to what they don't want to hear.

9. “If someone doesn’t answer your email within six hours, it means they hate you.”

Perhaps this one sounds a little far-fetched, but there's some truth to it when you read between the lines; in this day and age, almost everyone is on their phone or with a computer at all times, so when a response from a person takes more than a couple hours, there must be some speculation as to why they didn't answer when odds are they saw your message. It's important to be aware of the nonverbal (or non-viral) messages others send us and to know when how much of you is too much for someone to handle.

10. "I can never be who I was. I can simply watch her with sympathy, understanding, and some measure of awe."

Whether we want to change or not, change happens; brand new, noteworthy experiences and also the slow evolution of a routine are constantly reshaping us into who we are today.

11. "Desire is the enemy of contentment.”

There is an age-old struggle with learning to be happy with who we are and what we have, and this can only be conquered by recognizing our want for more things, for improvements.

12. "You can’t draw blood from a stone."

When you have to fight just to have love given back to you by someone, it's time to leave; much like number 4, this person is taking the life out of you as you continue to give and give to them and barely receive anything in return. Know when your love is more than they need and when it's the only thing they need.

13. “Confidence lets you pull anything off, even Tevas with socks.”

Since Tevas with socks seems to be my go-to in the spring, this one really touched my heart. Confidence is a necessity in our lives because, without it, we'd never get to know the comfort of some crisp, white tube socks with a beautiful pair of shoes that are shaped for your feet and your feet only.

14. “And one day you'll get out of bed to pee, and someone will say, "I hate it when you leave" and you will WANT to rush back."

In light of recent events, this one keeps popping into my head a few times a day. Our struggles for love in a world where indecisiveness reigns will all be worth it when that perfect someone comes along at the time that was just perfect for the both of you, when both of you are at the point of needing each other so much that all of your happiness stems from something the other said or did. The sacrifices we make right now for love will be returned to us. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not by the significant other you are with today. But someday, by someone who only wants to see you smile and asks for nothing in return.