Reference Library: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
I’ve always enjoyed watching The Office, but even more so after Kelly Kapoor waxed poetic on the subject of smack talk versus trash talk: “I don’t talk trash. I talk smack. They’re totally different. Trash talk is all hypothetical like ‘Your mama’s so fat she could eat the internet.’ But smack talk is happening, like, right now. Like ‘You’re ugly and I know it for a fact ’cause I got the evidence right there.'” Around that time, I started reading actress/writer Mindy Kaling’s old blog, Things I Bought That I Love, and found that I really enjoyed her writing style.
She recently came out with a new book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). As someone who has, admittedly, worried on occasion that I was missing out on all the fun, I could not wait to read this book! So when I found out that Mindy would be in town for a book signing a while back, I convinced Mike and Robyn to go with me to check it out. I have to say that the most interesting moment came when an older woman in the crowd, maybe in her late 60’s, stood up — topless — and publicized some sort of performance art group. So, yeah. Only in New York! Back to the book signing, Mindy was nice enough to sign our books, and also take photos. As you’d imagine, she seemed down to earth and friendly.
The book itself is hilarious. My favorite part might be the chapter titled “Don’t Peak In High School,” in which she advises “Teenage girls, please don’t worry about being super popular in high school, or being the best actress in high school, or the best athlete. Not only do people not care about any of that the second you graduate, but when you get older, if you reference your successes in high school too much, it actually makes you look kind of pitiful, like some sort of babbling old Tennessee Williams character with nothing else going on in her current life.” I thought the pictures she included added a humorous touch as well. My sister cracked up over the back cover, and pointed out the resemblence between us. I’ll let you decide…
Apparently boy-ish haircuts and furry hand puppets were popular with the South Asians in 1985!
Kavi360 
Can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Glad you enjoyed!
You’ll love it!
I’d love to say you have a monopoly on that haircut, but little white me had the same one 😉 I think it was just because our mother’s didn’t want to spend all day combing out tangles.
haha you’re probably right!
OMG! You look like twins!!! bahahahahaha!!! I love it. You also look super fab all growns up (both you and Mindy). So, see? You didn’t peak when you were young!
Thanks J! Perhaps b/c I have stellar fashionista friends like you!
so funny… nirm bought me this book for christmas and I thought it was hilarious
I know, right?! I was cracking up the entire time. Could totally relate to her material!