“Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” by Mindy Kaling
After reading Franzen’s Freedom, I wanted something lighter, funnier, and shorter. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling, writer and actor for NBC’s The Office, fit the bill perfectly. It has that ideal balance of smart and self-deprecating that good memoir-y books have. Kaling is honest and resigned about being a pudgy child on through to her struggles and eventual success in Hollywood. This made me laugh, a lot, so be careful if you’re reading it in public, during nap time or when your spouse has already fallen asleep. And if I ever get the chance to have a coffee with Kaling, I’m totally taking it. She’s the funny, smart, honest kind of girl friend we all could use one more of.
December 9th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
As you advised, I read this in the waiting room at the doctor’s office during the outpatient surgery for skin cancer (lots and lots of waiting in between biopsies). It was absolutely perfect. Thanks so much.
Also, cancer all gone. Face swelling? Well, remember the eyes of the vampires in Buffy? Sort of pointy on the inside? Yeah, that’s what my eyes look like now!
December 9th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Yay, so glad it worked! The surgery and the book! I especially like that she’s funny without being cruel or awful, to herself or others. Sorry about your eyes. I have another friend whose skin surgery made her look like characters from a fantasy tv show; it must be a trend.
December 9th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Hey — it took me forever to finish listening to The Year We Left Home, but I loved it. The narrative of Tory haunts me. Thank you.
December 9th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Jennifer, I’m so glad you did. I’ve recommended it to others as well. Her story, and how her character affects others around her, was quite something, wasn’t it? I also loved how I got near the end of the book and thought, Oh, we never heard from that character, guess we won’t, then he has one chapter and it’s so powerful and concentrated that it was one of my favorites.