Expectations for books are funny things. When you’ve read something by a author before, especially a memoir or essay collection, you think it’ll be in a similar vein. After all, you enjoyed the first one so much, you’re buying a second, right? You want to read things like the ones before–not exactly the same, of course, but maybe with the same tone or voice. In her second collection of personal essays, Why Not Me?, Kaling delivers that consistency, but adds something pretty important–feeling and heart.
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Thanks for the excellent review! And for reminding me to put this on my library hold list.
I’m trying to be better about getting books from the library and not just buying all of them (the amount of bookcases in my house is insane), but I’m really glad I bought this one outright. I want to force it on friends, and then reread it. I hope you enjoy it!
I loved Mindy’s first book, especially as a single lady at the time, I bonded with her a lot. But I’m also trying to really cut back on my book buying as we do not have enough room as it is for all our stuff, and we’re about to add a Little Beth Ellen to the mix. I always remind myself I have plenty to read in the meantime… unless it’s the new Rainbow Rowell, that was preordered months ago!
Rainbow Rowell is the exception to every rule. I can not wait to get my hands on that new book of hers. And congratulations on Little Beth Ellen!
I’m so excited to read this! And even more now that you say she added heart. I liked her last book, but I thought it was missing a little something something.
I hope you like it! There are some really great pieces in there that make me want to jump up and down and squeal like a 13 year old girl at a One Direction concert.
I am now even more excited about reading this book. I didn’t read her first one, but this one sounds right up my alley.
The first one was fun, for sure, but this one is just…more. The structure and the way she tells stories has really improved and I want everyone to love it as much as I did, dammit.
I’m just waiting on the library over here. I have had to curtail my book buying, because after my move two times ago I knew I could never own that many books again. I have limited myself to one physical bookcase (which is EXPLODING with books) and my budget demands I not spend all my money on ebooks either.
One?! Bless you. I don’t think it would be possible for me to do that. With the exception of the kitchen, I’m pretty sure I have some form of a bookcase in every room of my house. I’m jealous of your willpower! Hopefully the library gets it soon.
Damn you small town library that takes forever to get awesome new release hardback books like this!!!
I just blew my hardback luxury budget on Carry On (I love you Rainbow!) but this sounds so great. I also thought the last book was really good but a stitch away from great and you’re right, heart was the missing component.
And also gossip about her past with BJ – I’m totally looking for some dish there.
Hmmm…may have to break the hardback budget to order this too.
I’m shaking my fist in rage solidarity.
She doesn’t go super into the BJ relationship, but it is touched on. And you can always do the e-book version, which is probably a little cheaper than hardback. Because, let’s face it, Rainbow has to be hardback. We’re all going to be fighting to get the first review of that up!
We really are, aren’t we?
I liked Mindy Kaling’s first book, but can’t say that I loved it. I hadn’t really planned on making her second one a big priority (not like Felicia Day or Jenny Lawson’s books). But I have Audible credits going spare, and think, based on your very good review of it, that I will get this book sooner rather than later.
Having read both Felicia’s and Mindy’s, I have to say I liked Mindy’s better. They were both really good, but maybe it’s because this is Mindy’s second, it just felt more polished and complete to me. I hope you like it!