I’m Special (22 page)

Mom and Dad: I love you two more than anyone else in the world. Mom, you are the best mom ever. You are so selfless and loving—a truly remarkable woman. Dad, you've informed so much of how I see the world. I AM OBSESSED WITH YOU.

Allison and Sean O'Connell: Thank you for being related to me and letting me talk about you in the book. (JK, you didn't have a choice in either!) But seriously, you two have been stellar siblings. Much love to ya.

My stepmom, Pamela Eells: You have been so gracious and kind and inspiring. Thanks for being one of my best friends and encouraging me in all aspects of my life.

Thank you to the following friends for influencing my life/work: Caitie Rolls (Ten years of friendship. You will always be the peanut butter to my jelly.), my #1 hon Lara Schoenhals, Clare Tivnan, Cailan Calandro, Molly McAleer, Bailey DeBruynkops, Braden Graeber, Renée Barton, Carey Waggoner, Deanie Eichenstein, Kyle Buchanan, Tanner Cohen, Rachel Zeiger-Haag, Alta Finn, Audrey Adams, Alex Simone, Natalie Roy, Danna Friedberg, Caitlin Truman, Colette Kennedy, Beth Montana, Alex Sharry. My
Awkward
family: Jenna Lamia, Sarah Walker, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Allison Gibson Montgomery, and Anna Christopher. Kyle Buchanan, for making being gay less gay. Michelle Collins, Sam Lansky, Carey O'Donnell, Jeff Petriello, Adam Goldman, Danielle Reuther, my lil' brother Jason O'Connell, my grandma Darline Record, V Bar in the East Village, where most of this book was written, and also Alfred Coffee in Los Angeles. Special shout out to Easton Gym and Xanax for helping me maintain my sanity while writing this thing.

© SARAH WALKER

Ryan has written for the
New York Times
,
Vice
, Medium, Thought Catalog, as well as MTV's
Awkward
. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his boyfriend, Simon, and their dog, Marty. (JK, Ryan doesn't have a boyfriend or a dog.)
I'm Special
is his first book.

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authors.simonandschuster.com/Ryan-OConnell

Simon & Schuster

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Names and identifying details of some of the people portrayed in this book have been changed.

Copyright © 2015 by Ryan O'Connell

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Simon & Schuster Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Simon & Schuster trade paperback edition June 2015

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Interior design by Lewelin Polanco

Cover design by Jason Heuer

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

O'Connell, Ryan.

I'm special : and other lies we tell ourselves / Ryan O'Connell. — First Simon & Schuster trade paperback edition.

  pages cm

1. Generation Y—Humor. 2. Conduct of life—Humor. 3. O'Connell, Ryan—Humor. I. Title.

PN6231.G385O36 2015

818'.602—dc23

      2015003771

ISBN 978-1-4767-0040-3

ISBN 978-1-4767-0043-4 (ebook)