Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns)

This review is based on my experience of reading the entire kindle version of this book.Overall I was entertained by the book but I found myself to be more engaged with the content in the first half and less interested toward the end. The chapter titled "Don't Peak in High School" was truly laughable. Mindy analyses the lyrics to John Mellencamp's "Jack & Diane" song about some care free high school teenagers reveling in their popularity and lackadaisical days which will ultimately be the best time of their lives. I have the added benefit of being a high school teacher in the Midwest and this song epitomizes a strong feel in these rural communities. The influx of new ideas and experiences is nearly nonexistent and kids and parents don't have any idea of what to strive for outside the limited opportunities available in their community. But I was raised outside of New York City where every childhood decision was tailored to benefit my acceptance into college and future career. So for me high school was just a necessary step to a much brighter future. Mindy analyzes the lyrics in terms of both of these viewpoints and it was a hysterical experience for me."Someone Explain One-Night Stands to Me" was my second favorite chapter. Mindy is baffled why people sleep with complete strangers that they know absolutely nothing about and then never see or hear from again. Concerns over safety and emotions are investigated. I totally agreed with Mindy on this subject and found myself chuckling with her queries.This wasn't the funniest book I have read (hence the 3-star review) but it was a cute and entertaining quick read that I enjoyed.

A pleasant light-hearted look at a woman’s point of view about everything – not to say that it offers advice or opinions, because it’s not. It’s simply a glance inside Mindy Kaling’s head… and it seemed a lot like mine in there.Some parts were random lists or stories about things, which had me laughing my guts out. Simply because they were random. And funny. And how I too suddenly blurt out the most obtuse and inappropriate things. Mindy Kaling is me and a brave woman suit! Heck no, Mindy Kaling is my spirit animal.I wouldn’t go so far to say this book in hilarious. I don’t think that was her goal in writing this book. Just like as a performer or comedian we’re not meant to be performing monkeys ‘on’ all the time just for your enjoyment. It was like sitting down on the lounge floor in you pj’s and having a gasbag with your girlfriends.I love how the structure was broken up into flashbacks, lists, stories and comments on pictures… it really was like how evenings go with my girlfriends, clutching a glass of bubbly reminiscing and making each other cackle until we snort.I did want it to be funnier though. Or more engaging. But I understand in doing so it would have either been too serious, or too silly. This that the right amount of everything to kick back and relax, and to just enjoy reading. I appreciate how Mindy simply blurts out what’s on her mind. It’s finding a voice for much of my internal dialogue; and whether she intended the book to be like this or not, after reading it, I felt that if we were to run into each other at a party would become fast friends. And that is a great tone to have of a memoir. Masterfully done.So many hot key topics discussed without being pretentious. I recommend this to anyone who loves memoirs, or just loves being a girl.

I bought this ebook on Kindle quite a while back when it was on sale. I have no idea why it took me so long to read it. It's freaking hilarious from start to finish. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I would. Being a huge fan of The Office, I knew who Mindy Kaling was, but I'll admit I'd not watched her in much else. I don't really watch TV. Or, I should say, the only television I watch are shows I already know and love and then I'll stream a season at a time on Netflix or Prime. I am now a huge Kaling fan. This book reads like a really long email between me and one of my BFF's. LOL. I read 90% of it in one sitting and only stopped because I needed at least a solid two hours of sleep before going into work. Definitely intending on reading her follow-up book. I think I highlighted about a quarter of this book... a true record for me. My first highlight is from page 4, during the introduction."However, you should know I disagree with a lot of traditional advice. For instance, they say the best revenge is living well. I say it's acid in the face-who will love them now?"In fact, I even highlighted an entire chapter, the one entitled: Guys Need to Do Almost Nothing to Be Great. I laughed the whole way through the chapter. I'm quite sure my family thought my fragile mental state was hanging in the balance as I cackled like a fiend reading this on my Kindle.FIVE STARS!

Well I'm a HUGE Mindy fan so I suppose it's no brainer that I would love this book. She's cute, quirky, and has the same silly sense of humor. She's the girl next door you want to be best friends with. Unlike Chelsea Handler (who I enjoy as well), Mindy is relatable, yet funny. And like her, I like to create imaginary celebrity friendships in my head. Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, and Amy Poehler to name a few. So far I've met 2 out of the 3. I'll let you figure out which ones.What's great about this book is that you can also give it to a young girl (think 12 and up) as well. Mindy's story is inspiring to all aspiring artists and a good example of what hard work and a straight head and can achieve. A nice change from the Mileys and the Britanys, if you ask me. Her drive is admirable.The only thing I would say, as much as I love Mindy, it sometimes she comes across as being a teenager instead of a grown woman. Maybe it's because she barely addresses sex or other heavier issues, but there is something that makes me want to go Mindy grow up!But all in all I loved the book! If you're a fan, it's a must.

Definitely makes a great gift. However ... this book and its main character are captured in time ... forever teenager or something. And yes, that can be cute and adorable, but ... the book seems to be more suitable for voyeurs or people who enjoy reading blogs or other random, unstructured writing. There are definitely occasional sparkles and even excellent ones. Mindy has great potential. The book has definitely made ma laugh and was easy to pick up where I left it. Nonetheless, I feel miles away from the character, we have completely different values (though we also overlap a bit), but we definitely share the sense of humour on a certain level. Also quite important is Mindy's background. If you "dont look like anyone in Hollywood", I think its time you finally arrive there. So from this perspective, I enjoyed reading a lot.It is depressing, however, to learn that the main character has low self esteem, obsesses over her imperfect body (we wonder about this - she looks more than fine on the cover) and/or finding a partner, yet shows little initiative to address any issues in a constructive way - thats not funny, but its rather sad. And yes, we do understand why she feels like that - due to an incredible pressure in the environment she is in and the fact this system is almost impossible to fight against (especially, if you are employed in the industry). Double sad. Also a consequence of her environment, Mindy thinks she is procrastinating all the time. This is a false assumption about creative jobs - that you can in fact show up at 9.00 am and work 8 hours (or more) and produce three complete manuscripts per week. And that anything less is you not measuring up. A writing job does not fit regular work hours and you should never ever feel bad about it. Yes, we all know you get the best ideas from discussing with your work colleagues at 11pm over a beer and no need to feel a slight sense of guilt. Making people cry is easy, making people laugh is probably one of the most difficult jobs in the world.Mindy's parents impress me a lot. Learn from them, people. They have for sure equipped her daughter with impressive immigrant driven ethics (dont ever complain or blame others and work your way through it). However, it is clear to us that they are also parents with relatively high expectations and those that struggle to understand how does (having) a creative job compare to their jobs.Readers outside US might struggle additionally with understanding some of the cultural references made in the book. I did understand a few, but was lost on others ...