Things I Love: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Mindy Kaling is hysterical. You may recognize Mindy from her part in a quirky little show called The Office (okay, maybe not so little…did you know that she is also a writer on the show?). Her book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) is a fun, quick read with a wide array of essays with themes like childhood friendships, the differences in men versus boys, show business, family and the people we love. Part of me expected an uproariously funny, laugh until you can’t see straight book of antidotes. It’s not. It is something better. It is pleasantly funny and not at all pretentious. The book is loaded with self-deprecating humor and I did laugh out loud at times (like when she talks about her fear of embarrassing her older brother…been there… or when she analyzes all of the self-portraits on her blackberry), but the book isn’t about making the reader laugh out loud. It’s about real life and honesty. And real life can be extremely funny… and awkward… and beautiful. It often felt like I was reading my good friend’s journal. The content is also fairly innocent (which is nice). Overall the book is very charming. Mindy also has a great website The Concerns of Mindy Kaling.