Author: Mindy Kaling
Genres: Humor, Memoir
# pages: 219
Date published: September 18, 2012
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended? Yes
As an avid fan of The Office and a recent follower of The Mindy Project, there’s a special place for Mindy Kaling in my heart. I have never been an autobiography-reading kind of girl, but after reading Tina Fey’s BossyPants, I decided to give the genre a chance. Coupled with the realization that Kaling recently ventured into the egotistical category, I had to read it. Let me tell you, it was far from disappointing. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) was a hilarious depiction of Kaling’s life and her random tidbits of wisdom.
Kaling paints a picture of her life through self-deprecating humor. She talks about how much she admires her parents and the numerous times she embarrassed her brother in summer camp. She explains how rare it is to be an overweight Indian child and yet how her mother embraced her for it. She also humorously describes why romantic comedies are the best genre and what clothes every man should own. She strongly believes that JC Chasez was the cutest member of ’NSYNC and Converse sneakers have a lifetime of one year. With every topic Kaling hits on, whether it’s serious or ridiculous, she uses her humor and personable character to engage the reader. Kaling is a role model to all women due to her humility, intelligence, and work ethic. I not only admire her, but I wish she were my best friend.
I won’t lie to you; I could not put this book down. I read it in the gym, in between classes, even before bed. It took me a little less than two days to finally finish it. Obviously, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) isn’t the epitome of classic literature, but it’s still a captivating book which I highly recommend. Kaling covers topics every young woman has thought about, but she does so with a hilarious twist. This is the perfect novel to finish in a few days and to pass on to your best friend.
Review by Hallie Sullivan, A&S '15