Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Narrator: Mindy Kaling
Published by Random House Audio
Publication Date September 27th 2016
Source: Library
Genres: Essays
Goodreads
From the author of the beloved
New York Times
bestselling book
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
and the creator and star of
The Mindy Project
comes a collection of essays that are as hilarious and insightful as they are deeply personal.
In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it's falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you're constantly reminded that no one looks like you. In "How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet's Confessions", Kaling gives her tongue-in-cheek secrets for surefire on-camera beauty, ("Your natural hair color may be appropriate for your skin tone, but this isn't the land of appropriate-this is Hollywood, baby. Out here, a dark-skinned woman s traditional hair color is honey blonde.") "Player" tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. ("I had been replaced by a younger model. And now they had matching bangs.") In "Unlikely Leading Lady", she muses on America's fixation with the weight of actresses, ("Most women we see onscreen are either so thin that they're walking clavicles or so huge that their only scenes involve them breaking furniture.") And in "Soup Snakes", Kaling spills some secrets on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and close friend, B.J. Novak ("I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.") Mindy turns the anxieties, the glamour, and the celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays that anyone who's ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. And those who've never been at a turning point can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling was just the book I needed after the horrendous 2016 presidential election. I had been in such a funk and was having difficulty taking Taylor Swift’s “Shake it off” mantra.
After binge watching the first three seasons of The Mindy Project I was going through withdrawal. To get me through my lack of Hulu I picked up her novel on audiobook and I quickly learned that was the way to go.
Mindy Kaling’s narration of her novels reads (or listens) like you are talking to a friend you’ve known for years. It is engaging, insightful and relatable. Why Not Me? had me smiling from the beginning with each story having its own unique beautiful message.
While each essay was special in its own way, one that stood out to me was One of The President’s Men Mindy’s relationship with one of President Obama’s aides. She reacted the way I’d think I might upon meeting the President and First Lady or geeking out over Stephen Cobert. It was such a simply told story but yet so perfect.
Why Not Me? had me at hello, it make’s you want to be a better man and all the clichés that go along with a feel good romantic comedy. In the end, Mindy Kaling’s words of wisdom on being your best self was the perfect prescription for a much-needed lifting up.
I enjoyed this book even more than her first one. Mindy Kaling is smart and funny and I admire how hard she’s worked to achieve success. You might like Amy Schumer’s book as well.
Yes, I admired Mindy Kaling too while listening to Why Not Me? I have thought about trying Amy Schumer’s book, now I definately will. Thanks for the recommendation!