Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

“If my childhood, teens, and twenties were about wanting people to like me, now I want people to know me.”

Mindy Kaling is back with a collection of personal essays tackling a variety of subjects, from relationships to confidence.  Her first book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? talked about her childhood, her friendships, her start in show business and the progression of her career.  In Why Not Me? Mindy gives us a look into her life and her experiences as a successful writer and actress, along with everyday issues and concerns.

I absolutely loved Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, which had me laughing out loud many times.  Her second book definitely still has that Mindy Kaling charm and humour, but feels a little more serious and personal. It shows maturity and a woman who knows who she is, recognizes her faults, insecurities and is very open and honest about it all.  I didn’t connect to every single chapter but I truly appreciate the honest and funny nature of her writing, along with the overall message: feel entitled to what you want to achieve, but work hard enough to earn it.

Favourite quote: “People’s reaction to me is sometimes “Uch, I just don’t like her. I hate how she thinks she is so great.” But it’s not that I think I’m so great. I just don’t hate myself. I do idiotic things all the time and I say crazy stuff I regret, but I don’t let everything traumatize me. And the scary thing I have noticed is that some people really feel uncomfortable around women who don’t hate themselves. So that’s why you need to be a little bit brave.”