Why Not Me? By Mindy Kaling – Author and Actress, Writer and Editor on The Mindy Project

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

First Book Review! Okay, it’s kind of a review but kind of not (biography’s seem hard to do without giving away too many spoilers) but I wanted to start my first post off from a book that gave me the push to pursue my goal of starting a blog. I don’t usually read biography’s but I am a huge fan of Mindy Kaling. Her other book- Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) was about her early childhood, how she was discovered for acting in her college years (which is actually really funny and you should look it up) and her role on The Office, so I wasn’t really sure what she was going to talk about in Why Not Me?. Well, even if you haven’t watched The Mindy Project (which you totally should, because it is hilariously good) you can appreciate this collection of essays as it focuses a lot on a down to earth, sweet, funny lady who is all about HARD WORK.

Yeah. We see celebrities on the news, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter- EVERYWHERE. And we get it- they look glamorous (as if they woke up like that) and money is pouring out of their eyeballs. We don’t normally see the “behind the scenes” of what it’s like or what it TAKES to get there. In one essay Mindy highlights a day in her life when she’s working on the show and it is… BUSY. Let’s just say she doesn’t get to sleep in till 9 am, go to work for a few hours and have a nice relaxing night with some high class and expensive wine (well maybe the wine because she can afford it- because she works for it!!). I appreciated this insight into her life because from social media it does look like a piece of cake! But I appreciated that she seemed to say- Hey guys, look, I DO have to work, and this life isn’t just a piece of cake. She capitalized that if you have a dream and you want to succeed, you’re going to have to work for it and even once you have it- you STILL have to work for it. This hard bit of truth is refreshing to see in a world seemingly full of instant gratification.

Other things she talks about in her book are: How to look spectacular: A starlet’s confessions, Things to bring to my dinner party, How to get your own tv show (and nearly die of anxiety), 4 a.m. worries, Soup Snakes, and Harvard Law School Class Day Speech (these are all essay titles from her book). She opens up emotionally about worries she has that keep her up night and boy do those hit home. She talks about some past relationships that have been major flops and your inwardly sobbing with her but she’s still able to spin it so you’re laughing with her at some of the mistakes she’s made along the way- as well as shaking your head because c’mon we all do stupid stuff. What about friendships with girls that have treated you badly? She talks about that too. She’s writing this book for everyone and anyone to read but when I read it, it was like I was the only one who had a copy and could personally see into Mindy’s life. I think there is something really special about that kind of writing. Because even if I never know Mindy personally I will still have this piece of her life, neatly placed on my bookshelf.

I was reading part of this book in public once and I was laughing out loud at a lot of it. This is rare for me as I have a pretty dry sense of humor. So I guess maybe that’s why I love her and her writing so much- don’t they always say… find someone that can make you laugh in life and stick with them ?

I think that’s what I’ll do.

After putting this book down I thought- what am I waiting for!? Why not me?? Pursue your goals and dreams- Mindy did! I want to share books that I love with everyone. I LOVE recommending books to my friends. Why shouldn’t I branch out? So I have. Like Mindy, I WILL work for it.

What about you? Have you read Mindy’s book? What did you think? Did you not like any parts of it? I want to hear it all!

Happy Reading!

Check out WHY NOT ME by Mindy Kaling HERE and know that I receive a commission from your purchase!