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Why Not Me? cover art

Why Not Me?

Written by: Mindy Kaling
Narrated by: Mindy Kaling, Greg Daniels, B. J. Novak
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Publisher's Summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the author of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and creator of The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever comes a hilarious collection of essays about her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life.

“This is Kaling at the height of her power.”—USA Today

In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares insightful, deeply personal stories about falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, and believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

In How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet’s Confessions, Kaling gives her tongue-in-cheek secrets for surefire on-camera beauty, (“Your natural hair color may be appropriate for your skin tone, but this isn’t the land of appropriate–this is Hollywood, baby. Out here, a dark-skinned woman’s traditional hair color is honey blonde.”) “Player” tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. (“I had been replaced by a younger model. And now they had matching bangs.”) In “Unlikely Leading Lady,” she muses on America’s fixation with the weight of actresses, (“Most women we see onscreen are either so thin that they’re walking clavicles or so huge that their only scenes involve them breaking furniture.”) And in “Soup Snakes,” Kaling spills some secrets on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and close friend, B.J. Novak (“I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.”)

Mindy turns the anxieties, the glamour, and the celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays that anyone who’s ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. And those who’ve never been at a turning point can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper.

©2015 Mindy Kaling (P)2015 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Kaling has written a second book that’s funnier, sharper and more confident than her 2011 collection of personal essays and pop culture riffs called Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). Even the title of that initial effort implied that Kaling was trying to find her place; the tone of this new one announces that she’s found it and is more than comfortable inviting people to spend time with her there.”—Washington Post

“Funny, thoughtful essays and anecdotes written in the star’s trademark voice. But this time around, things are just little more grown-up…This is Kaling at the height of her power.”—USA Today

“Mindy Kaling may be gearing up for the fourth season of her TV show, The Mindy Project, but that didn't deter her from writing another wildly entertaining and completely relatable book… Her first memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), spent time on several best-seller lists. Why Not Me? will certainly follow in its footsteps.”—Associated Press

Featured Article: Quotes About Hard Work to Keep You Motivated and Moving Forward

Anything worth achieving is worth working for. Those goals that we reach when we really strive for them, giving it our all, are the most rewarding. Whether it is taking small steps towards your goals, shooting for a new objective, or simply dreaming those big dreams, hard work is what gets us there. Trusting in yourself and your own abilities will allow you to dig deep, put in the time, and get where you want to be. Everything is achievable with the right mindset.

What listeners say about Why Not Me?

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Huge role model!

As a therapist, I appreciate being able to recommend books to clients who want someone that “looks” like us as a role model in their industry. Mindy represents so much to us — a businesswoman, a creative person, and a woman with some colour and culture on her. Great book. Insightful and relatable.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars

Not for me

I really like some of Mindy's previous works and that motivated me to try this out as my first audible book. I was confident that i would have a lot of fun listening to this and that it would make my weekend. But oh dear lord! what a disappointment... 25% into the book, i still did not have a clue on the point the author was trying to make and why the title of the book was 'Why not me'.

I then fast forwarded to the last 15 minutes and i still was not clear. I was hoping this would be kind of an inspirational book + a fun read, but it was none of the former and not even the latter. She talked a lot, about a lot of things, but at the end of each chapter i was either thinking 'how is this relevant to me?' or 'are you saying this is how things operate in certain places or situations, just accept it and deal with it?' There was no shattering the ceiling, pushing boundaries, questioning the norm, making a difference - none of these.. May be that wasn't the point of the book? Again, not sure what the purpose of the book is

Such a disappointment from Mindy

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • RD
  • 2023-07-14

Unrelatable but the audio is well performed

Mindy's first book, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" was a relatable collection of essays, so I had high expectations for this follow-up. This book, "Why Not Me?" feels less relatable. In summary, it's: "O.M.G, you guys, I am so famous, but not like *too* famous, but here's my experience of fame. Oh, and I have body issues, and here's some common-sense advice about confidence."

I guess I am disappointed because I usually love Mindy's work, but this book felt like a humble-brag. It feels like Mindy's authentic voice from her first book is lost beneath her tales of her now-Hollywood life. I listened to some of the essays from her third collection of essays "Nothing Like I Imagined", and at that point she seems to get back to a more authentic and relatable voice; "Why Not Me?" was a struggle to get through.

Although I did not enjoy the content, the performance of the audio was good and there were some parts that were entertaining.

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nothing

it was not interesting at all. I couldn't get through the first 6 chapters.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining

I liked this book and the stories Mindy writes about. I expected more of a reflection on the title, instead the book relates many stories about the world and how Mindy sees life. I'm not dissapointed by this book just expected some different stories.

Overall it's funny, it was entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

Mindy Kaling’s hilarious wit and personality is front and centre in this work. Love hearing her stories from her own voice and perspective.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • BJG
  • 2021-10-30

good book for light reading

loved listening to it and bursting out laughing in flights, rails and cars oblivious to people around.
I loved The Mindy Project show and so came to this book. if you liked the show, you would like the book too.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • LV
  • 2021-06-09

Easy listen

Entertaining, light hearted, funny! Recommended for easy listen, like the author. Cute story, good narrative.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining!

I've listened to Mindy's books more than once because it's a nice easy listen. makes me laugh too!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

this book will keep you smiling along the way.

I'm a huge fan of Mindy and I loved her last book. This one did not disappoint! The only reason I didn't give it the full five stars is because I felt that it got a little bit long in the tooth when she was writing hypothetical e-mails back and forth to hypothetical people. But nonetheless, that portion was also very funny. I think it's great that Mindy can be real with us about who she is and what it takes to look like an average celebrity in Hollywood. Read this book, or rather listen to this book, if you just want a feel-good experience.

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