I adore Mindy Kaling. Not because she’s a fantastic actress, which she is, or even because she is hilarious, which, again, she is. No, I adore Mindy because she gets it. It meaning life, being curvy, independent and talkative as a woman, etc. And I think she’s the perfect role model for girls and women everywhere.
Her book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) includes great advice and wisdom like:
They say the best revenge is living well. I say it’s acid in the face— who will love them now?
I don’t think it should be socially acceptable for people to say they are “bad with names.” No one is bad with names. That is not a real thing. Not knowing people’s names isn’t a neurological condition; it’s a choice. You choose not to make learning people’s names a priority. It’s like saying, “Hey, a disclaimer about me: I’m rude.” For heaven’s sake, if you don’t know someone’s name, just pretend you do. Do that thing everyone else does, where you vaguely say, “Nice to see you!” and make weak eye contact.
One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about.
Maybe the point is that any marriage is work, but you may as well pick work that you like. Writing this book is work, but it’s fun work, and I picked it and I enjoy doing it with you, Reader.
Mindy also gets the rules and responsibilities of best friends, which I won’t spoil for you by copying down word for word. I will say that they include, “I WILL TRY TO LIKE YOUR BOYFRIEND FIVE TIMES. This is a fair number of times to hang out with your boyfriend and withhold judgment.” All best friends, regardless of gender in my opinion, will nod their heads to her rules. They’re perfect.
But what I will love about her book is how honest and heartfelt it is. There’s plenty to laugh about; usually, because whatever she is currently saying is something you can relate to. As for my part, I especially appreciate her wanting to name her book, “There Has Ceased to Be a Difference Between My Awake Clothes and My Asleep Clothes.” I think we’ve all been there at some point, whether we like to admit it or not. I also understood perfectly this sharp observation she made about her exercise regime as a child…
I had always successfully avoided exercise as a kid, by being an extra in school plays, or signing up for fake-y sports like Tai Chi, or manipulating gym teachers into letting me read books in the bleachers.
Because that was my life growing up. I was always the kid sneaking books into P.E. or getting my books taken away at recess so that I would play with the other kids instead of reading off to the side. These days, I still prefer to spend my lunch reading at my desk, rather than going out to eat with coworkers.
Overall, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? isn’t your typical memoir – it’s a celebration of quirks; an ode to loving things – and it’s just got a ton of heart. Mindy Kaling has proved herself to be a woman you don’t ever want to stop talking.
Rating: 10/10
Overall Reaction: “EXACTLY!”
Up Next Week (or really in a couple of days, since I’m trying to catch up on these posts): Sunshine by Robin McKinley
A dopo.
Caitlin