"Mindy really is just a girl next door - not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka."
Mindy Kaling is an Emmy-nominated actress, writer, director, and comedienne who stars in her own TV sitcom called The Mindy Project. If you already know her you will love this collection of humorous autobiographical essays. Is it a memoir? Not really, it's just fun to hang out with a funny lady.
Most people will know her from the TV show The Office, which she starred in, wrote, and sometimes directed. I didn't know she came onto the scene doing an off Broadway play with her friend where they played fictional version of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck that they co-wrote and improv-ed. it was so popular, they did two shows a night and opened a second company in LA. She has a few sections on trying to get booked as a writer in LA, where the show is actually cancelled as she waits in the lobby for her interview, stories about shooting The Office, and writing for SNL.
The majority of the book though about her growing up a respectful girl to her parents, being a nerd in school, relationships and friends, how cool romantic comedies are, revenge fantasies, the exact level of fame she wants, being noticed for visiting the cupcake shop too much, how terrible event gift bags really are, and best friend rights and responsibilities (such as ~ I can borrow all your clothes, We sleep in the same bed, I can ditch you within reason, I will try to like your boyfriend five times, I will take care of your kid if you die, and No two people are better than us). All reasonable points.
With Tina Fey and Amy Poehler leading the way, more female comics are coming out with books and this is right up there. She gives us a new and unique voice in comedy, both self-deprecating and boastful, that is really appealing. As she says, it's not a long book (Did you even see the cover? It's mostly pink. If you are reading this book every night for months, something is not right).
There are even alternate titles for the book, my favourite being "Sometimes You Just Have To Put On Lip Gloss And Pretend To Be Psyched". She also has a deck of cards called "Questions I Ask When I Want To Talk About Myself", a series of conversations starters, based somewhat on this book.
It's the kind of book you pick up and glance through again and again with a smile on your face. It's nice to see a female role model who is not white, not a size 0, and celebrates her nerdy side. Nerd is cool.
2011 / Trade Paperback / 222 pages
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