BOOK REVIEW: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? – by Mindy Kaling

Title: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Author: Mindy Kaling
Genre: Non Fiction, Humor, Memoir
First published: November 1st 2011
Finished reading: March 8th 2016
Pages: 222

“One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about.”

I have to confess I have never actually watched Mindy Kaling‘s TV shows and I don’t know a lot about her in general. Still, since I quite enjoyed reading her other book Why Not Me?, I decided to try Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? as well. This one was actually published a few years before Why Not Me?, and it shows. While this first memoir is still quite funny and I appreciate how honest she is about her life, it misses a so-to-speak spark to convert it into something special. The prose is easy to read and there were some funny moments, but overall Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? wasn’t nearly as funny as her other book. What started out well actually turned into a slowish read around the middle, but luckily things picked up later on. It is quite an entertaining read even though you are not familiar with her work, although I suspect the part where she talks about The Office is probably funnier if you have actually seen the show. Would I recommend it? Yes, because it’s quite a quick read despite the slow middle, entertaining and hilariously funny at points. If you haven’t read her second memoir yet though, read that one first.

Mindy Kaling tells us the tale of how she grew up and makes some honest and refreshing observations during this journey. How was Mindy during high school and how did she try to achieve her dream? She is not afraid to admit any failures and even admits she isn’t the perfect person to give advice. Mindy is simply a a ‘girl next door’ who became famous… And she not only explains things about her view on romance, friendship, Hollywood and the perfect amount of fame, but also gives us an inside view of what it is like being a comedy screenwriter and creating The Office.

Mindy Kaling has a way of writing down her story that feels honest, refreshing and is quite entertaining as well. While not as funny as the second memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is still worth reading if you are looking for a short and entertaining read. You will find some very interesting quotes while you are reading this book! I can really appreciate how down to earth she seems.

WWW Wednesdays #81 – March 9th

WWW WEDNESDAYS is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World Of Words and is all about answering the three questions below.

• WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

I’m normally not a romance fan, but ever since reading and loving November 9 I have been wanting to pick up another Colleen Hoover book. It was between Ugly Love and Maybe Someday, but the first one won… I’m still not that far into the story yet, but hopefully I’ll find time to continue soon. I’m also still reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton; I really like it so far, but I haven’t been in the mood for historical fiction lately and I don’t want to rush it. Fingers crossed I’ll feel like reading historical fiction again soon!

• WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

A lot of finished reads this week, but most of these are short and easy reads…
* The first novella I finished was Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell, a Star Wars-themed story she wrote for World Book Day and very entertaining!
* I then read both Red Queen novellas Queen Song and Steel Scars by Victoria Aveyard. I can’t say I was impressed… The second was slightly better than the first, but I don’t think they are actually worth reading.
* I then read One by Sarah Crossan, which turned out to be a superfast and interesting read. The prose reads almost like poetry and the story itself is intriguing.
* I decided to continue with Eve by Iris Johansen afterwards because I didn’t want to bring my kindle with me during my trip… I kind of wish I brought another book instead because it was almost a torture to have to read this story. I will have to work on my DNF skills…
* The last book I finished was a lot better: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. I already knew I liked her writing style after reading Why Not Me? and this one is without doubt entertaining as well (although a bit slow at points).

• WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL READ NEXT?

I will probably try to finish my Red Queen series read and both reread Red Queen and read Glass Sword… Although I might pick up Random by Tom Leveen first depending of which genre I’m in the mood for. I have also been wanting to read Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch since I really enjoyed the first book; The Liar’s Chair by Rebecca Whitney is still my latest TBR jar pick.

Teaser Tuesdays #84 – March 8th: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

TEASER TUESDAYS is a weekly book meme originally featured at Books And A Beat. To participate, just open the book you are currently reading to a random page, and choose two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page. (no spoilers!)

I started reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling yesterday and it is turning out to be a really fast and entertaining read. I don’t really watch her shows or anything, but I enjoyed reading her other book Why Not Me? last year and like her writing style. Hopefully it will stay this good!

My teaser (24%):

“One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about. We never needed best friend gear because I guess with real friends you don’t have to make it official. It just is.”

What are you reading right now?

BOOK REVIEW: Why Not Me? – by Mindy Kaling

Title: Why Not Me?
Author: Mindy Kaling
Genre: Non Fiction, Humor, Memoir
First published: September 15th 2015
Finished reading: November 7th 2015
Pages: 240

“People’s reaction to me is sometimes “Uch, I just don’t like her. I hate how she thinks she is so great.” But it’s not that I think I’m so great. I just don’t hate myself. I do idiotic things all the time and I say crazy stuff I regret, but I don’t let everything traumatize me. And the scary thing I have noticed is that some people really feel uncomfortable around women who don’t hate themselves. So that’s why you need to be a little bit brave.”

No, I don’t actually watch The Office or The Mindy Project, but after hearing great things about Why Not Me? I decided to pick it up anyway. And I can say that even without knowing Mindy Kaling very well I still quite enjoyed reading her essays. Her writing switches between funny, honest and inspiring and she comes over as a very strong and ‘real’ woman. The included photos are a nice touch that I think especially fans of her character will appreciate. What I also liked is that each essay has a different feel and message and the fact that Mindy Kaling is not afraid to write about her mistakes and flaws is refreshing.  Why Not Me? might not be the perfect read, but it is without doubt interesting enough and will keep you entertained for a few hours. This could be the perfect beach read for the upcoming summer (if you are lucky enough live in the southern hemisphere)!

Why Not Me? is a collection of essays where Mindy Kaling shares some of her stories of her past. Some are funny while others are more personal and even inspirational… And the stories take place both at home, at work and during Uni. Among other things, she gives beauty tips (Starlet’s Confessions), talks about difficulties while seeking new friendships both then and now (Player), talks about accepting your body and who you are (Unlikely Leading Lady) and talks about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend B.J. Novak (Soup Snakes).

Why Not Me? is a very interesting collection of essays where Mindy Kaling tells us more about her life. I enjoyed the fact that she mixed funny sections with more serious themes and some parts are even inspirational. She comes over as a very interesting woman and I admire her for staying true to who she is and not giving over to the whole Hollywood pressure. It’s also an interesting enough read even if you don’t actually watch her TV shows.

WWW Wednesdays #63 – November 4th

WWW WEDNESDAYS is hosted by Sam at Taking On A World Of Words and is all about answering the three questions below.

• WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

I’m about 60% into The Valentine Circle by Reinaldo DelValle and while it’s not a mindblowing read, the general plot is interesting enough for me to keep reading. I will probably end up finishing it later today… I still haven’t continued with Outlander by Diana Gabaldon; not because I’m not enjoying it, but there are a few other books I want to finish first before fully commiting to this giant.

• WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

Three books and a novella this week; not bad at all…
* The first is The Fear Trials by Lindsay Cummings; an excellent prequel novella that gives the perfect introduction to the story and will convince you to read the rest of the series.
* Next up is Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver, a novel that kept popping up at my TBR lists and finally decided to pick up. Not a bad read, but I wasn’t overwhelmed by it either…
* I then decided to read The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey since it was the last title on my October TBR I hadn’t started yet. I know other people love this series, but I wasn’t convinced by the sequel either.
* After two mediocre reads, I wanted something good and decided to pick up the Anna sequel Girl Of Nightmares by Kendare Blake. While not as good as the first book, this one is still really good!

• WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL READ NEXT?

As soon as I finish The Valentine Circle, I will either start Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo or Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. Basically I’m superexcited to read both and I will be having a hard time deciding which one to pick up first. I also want to read Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling since it’s nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards… And my new TBR jar pick is Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.

Friday Finds #56 – October 16th

FRIDAY FINDS is originally featured at A Daily Rhythm and showcases the most interesting books I’ve encountered during the last week and have added to my neverending TBR list on Goodreads. Below a selection of my newest additions; click on the book descriptions to go to its Goodreads page! 😀

My finds: