Why Not Me?

By Mindy Kaling

#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 “Player” tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. (“I had been replaced by a younger model.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.

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Published Sep 27, 2016

Average rating: 7.43

122 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Paisley
Jan 25, 2026
Another Hollywood, here are some of my stories. I only finished this because it was audio and kept me preoccupied on my walks. Otherwise, it would have been a DNF.
abookwanderer
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
I listened to the audiobook, even though I own a hard copy. It's always more fun to hear the author's voice tell their own story. I laughed and smiled throughout this one. Mindy is a great reminder to take life less seriously, be the you that makes you comfortable, and the unattainable Hollywood glamour is mostly smoke and mirrors.

#popsugarreadingchallenge2019 (prompt #16)
MidnightCharcuterie
Nov 27, 2024
4.0
Shahna
Jul 18, 2024
10/10 stars
I really like Mindy and I enjoy reading her stories and ridiculousness. She's a funny duck.
ebskane
Jan 08, 2024
8/10 stars
I just enjoy Mindy Kaling

Mindy is simply funny and witty and smart and someone I want to listen to. If you're interested in all that read this book. Also if you think she's not that great-- read this book too because I'm daring you to not find her charming and funny. Thanks for making me laugh on my Bart rides Mindy!

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