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

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!

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. 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.

©2011 Mindy Kaling (P)2011 Random House

If you like Mindy, you'll enjoy this listen.

I gave 5 stars for performance and 3 for story. Mindy is very funny, and I like her style, so I liked the book. Like Tina Fey in Bossypants, Mindy writes about things that all women can relate to, and that most women agree with on some level. She does an excellent job of reading (some authors don't do as well as you would want), maybe since she's also an actress. She definitely gave excitement to the reading. Her voice is a little high-pitched, but again, I like Mindy so I enjoyed listening. The male readers were AWESOME and believable.

I gave 3 for story because she is quite superficial and materialistic, so you'll find those themes running through the entire thing. It's funny, especially if you're being light-hearted about it, but it's not the kind of story that keeps you thinking and expands you as a person. The story itself is pretty forgettable, but it was very fun and enjoyable while it lasted. I'm assuming that was her goal.

72 of 80 people found this review helpful

Love it!

Any additional comments?

As a HUGE fan of The Office, I was super excited to read this book. I already had the eBook when I saw that Mindy Kaling had actually narrated the audiobook version herself. (so cool! Lol) Anyway, it was exactly what I had expected it to be. Super funny and honest-feeling. It was also smart with some awesome references!

39 of 45 people found this review helpful

Cute & Entertaining

I was hoping for something light and funny to give myself a break from the heavy stuff I've been lost in recently - this clever half-bio / half-monologue did the job nicely. I will say that it was a bit more bubblegum than I normally prefer, but I realize that I'm probably 15 years older than the high-end of her intended demographic, so I tried to keep that in mind when I found myself rolling my eyes too much. The narration was fine but I suggest listening to the sample first - her voice is child-like. For comedy writing, it's not bad - it has profanity, sarcasm, & amusing anecdotes - I would recommend it to young women in their late teens/early twenties without hesitation.

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

I'm Hooked on Mindy!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I think I picked up this book just looking for the thoughts from that girl from the office, and I feel like I made a new best friend. She's funny. She's insightful. She's kinda like me - only not. Which made this book enjoyable.

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

I couldn't help be laugh when she said the word "excrete" when she was talking about her friend's fantasy of having a passionate night with a sexy stranger without any undies on. I was thinking the exact thing at the exact moment she said it, only laughing! Good times.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many favorite scenes. Perhaps may favorites were when she described the different periods of self-growth in her life with different groups of friends. Nothing spectacular about it, but maybe, that's what I identified with most.

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

I smiled a lot. Ms. Kaling is not as good as other comedians at reading her own writing, but somehow, that seemed appropriate. She still had a great comic appeal, and she seems sometimes to tell a joke while not telling a joke at all. Since I listened to this on my commute into work and sometimes while exercising, I sometimes felt a sense of relief and calmness throughout my body after listening to her which I appreciate. Some chapters I listened to multiple times!

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

Didn't laugh once

She may be funny to some, but I'm not into her humor. loved the office, just not her.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not my thing.

It basically seemed the she was whining about having a perfectly fine life. Didn't finish.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Funny and well read

Glad that Mindy narrated this herself. She addresses being compared to Tina Fey in the book but this book was right up there with Tina Fey's and Amy Pohler's books. I was apprehensive since the Lena Dunham book turned out to be terrible and I didn't finish this. Lots of fun snippets and great for commutes to and from work.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Gets annoying after a while....

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book may have been funny as a written book, but as an audio book, the whole experience just gets annoying after a while... there are some funny bits in there, but the content gets a bit repetitive and doesn't really engage. After a few chapters, it just feels like I am listening to a random rant.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not relatable

I was disappointed. I really didn't find it interesting or funny. I was hoping for charming, but it fell short. I think it's mostly because she and I have nothing in common. I will stick with Terry Pratchett.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Meh

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who are extremely bored and have nothing else better to do.

Would you ever listen to anything by Mindy Kaling again?

Yes, I love the author, I just don't think this was interesting.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It didn't at all.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

There were a few funny stories in it.

Any additional comments?

I stopped listening. I got bored.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mindy at her best

Would you listen to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) again? Why?

Yes, probably. It was entertaining, short and funny, and I really liked her essays about after she got caught up in the TV industry.

What about Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur ’s performance did you like?

I loved how energetic the narration is, meaning there was never a dull moment. She was engaging and had her comedic timing down pat.

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

Lots of laughing - I particularly enjoyed the bits that spoke about her rivalry with Mindy Kaling (something he also writes about in his autobiography).

Any additional comments?

A must read for fans of the Office and of Mindy Kaling.

I love this book

This is one of my favorite books, it's a go to book for a good mood, mindy kaling is amazing. Get the book!!

Wonderful easy listen- like listening to a friend

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing about Mindy's childhood and her early career.

Have you listened to any of Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of her other performances, but I have to say that I love her voice. It's very friendly, happy and so distinctive that I can still hear her narration, even after finishing the book.