Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

By: Mindy Kaling

Narrated by: Mindy Kaling, Michael Schur, B. J. Novak

Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this hilarious instant classic, the creator of The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood.“[Kaling is] like Tina Fey’s cool little sister. Or perhaps . . . the next Nora Ephron.”—The New York Times

Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?”

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly! With several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? proves that Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.

Praise for Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

“Where have you been all our lives, Mindy?”—Glamour

“Who wouldn’t want to hang out with Mindy Kaling? . . . [Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?] is like a mash note to comedy nerds.”—Time Out New York

“Very funny.”—Boston Globe

©2011 Mindy Kaling (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

“She’s like Tina Fey’s cool little sister. Or perhaps… the next Nora Ephron.” (The New York Times)

“The fashion opinions of Kelly Kapoor mixed with a Miss Manners-esque advice column.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“If you love Kelly and think the three minutes or so allotted her on episodes of The Office are too few, you can take home Mindy.” (The New Yorker)

there were a couple shining moments but..

overall i feel under whelmed. nothing very memorable about it except maybe over chapter on her predictions for movies that should be made and most of them have been! i love her but maybe it was the essay style that undid her in this

Love Mindy

I love mindy! The book shows how much comedy she has inside. I can't wait to read the next one.

Loved it!

I liked her before and now I just want to be her best friend! Enjoyed reading the parts of her childhood. As she grew up not far from where I lived a couple years ago. She's funny, but also super intelligent and very talented. Great read!

Loved it!

I really enjoyed Kaling's honest, warm commentary about her struggles and triumphs in all stages of her life. Her analysis of female friendships, both in adolescence and adulthood, as well as universally relatable feelings of otherness and inadequacy in the workplace was beautifully done and a pleasure to listen to :) Thank you Mindy for this great read!

Absolutely hilarious!

Where does Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

IEHOWM is a fantastic listen. As a 20 something actress living in NY, I really related to a lot of her concerns. But I honestly think all women (and a lot of men) who have ever used humor to hide insecurities would relate to Mindy.

What did you like best about this story?

Her voice is authentic. She doesn't paint herself or anyone else as a perfect person, but has a very positive, optimistic vibe 99% of the time.

Which character – as performed by Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur – was your favorite?

Mindy is outstanding - you feel like you're with her, drinking coffee, jabbering on. She's the friend who does all the talking, but it's so funny- and honest - that you don't mind.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh. Repeatedly. Out loud. On the subway. Like a crazy person.

Mindy Kaling is my personality doppelgänger, spirit animal, something!

Seriously, do not know how I hadn't read this before!! I thought I couldn't love her any more with my willing for The Mindy Project to have unlimited episodes and reading all things Mindy in every article I can find but then I read this. I laughed out loud so much reading/listening to this combined with sitting in my car at lengths to finish "one more chapter", I'm surprised someone didn't try to break a window to check on a possible crazy person trapped in a vehicle. Mindy gives a personal and hilarious recount of so many situations in her life, not to mention the chance to hear some of her thoughts out loud. Loved every paragraph!!! I've gotta go now, I have "Why Not Me?" demanding my reading.

Best Biography I've Listened to in a Long Time!!

Mindy is hysterical and I love her stories! Her stories are so relate-able and filled with humor. I love the way she views things. I am so happy I got this book.

love her!

What made the experience of listening to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) the most enjoyable?

It's funny and honest. I never watched The Office, but I am loving her show The Mindy Project. Very smart and funny actress/author.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)?

For me, when she talks about her normal weight as opposed to the rest of Hollywood being size zero. To me, she looks great and I love she's not a stick figure and is confident.

What does Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

She had a photo shoot where she had to choose something to wear and all the clothes were insanely small girls with normal figures. She went into the bathroom stall and cried.

Any additional comments?

Love this girl and looking forward to her career!

She is funny!

Would you consider the audio edition of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed listening to Mindy's little memoir. Well worth the time! It was laugh out funny!

Light and entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) the most enjoyable?

A friend and I listened to this on a road trip. It was a nice, light listen that makes you love Mindy Kaling. She is a wonderful story teller, and her blatant honesty and self depreciating humour coupled with her confidence left us feeling like we: A) Wanted to befriend Mindy as she is clearly very cool and B), wanted to send her new outfits we thought she could rock. (Ugh, and she is so right about the navy, btw.)
Towards the end I found there was some repetition, but now I can't remember if it was just a similar topic she was covering.... In any case, I enjoyed the book. I knew who Mindy Kaling was before listening, but did not realize she was a writer, and a comedy writer at that.
I hope there are more Mindy Kaling books on the way!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mindy!
Very smart, funny and talented!

What does Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like listening to her because it provided comedic timing. The periodic interjections of other voices gave just enough varierty and really added to the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

For the most part.

Any additional comments?

I missed out on the pictures, but really enjoyed her explanation of how that could be remedied! A+