Mindy Kaling sometimes finds herself asking “why not me?” Occasionally it has to do with feeling left out in her mid-thirties, as she sees her peers getting married and having babies. But often, it’s the voice of ambition: rather than “why me?” it’s “why the hell shouldn’t it be?”
The question’s split personality inspired the title of Kaling’s new book of essays, Why Not Me? (Crown Archetype, $25), which she’ll be discussing at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Thursday, September 17th at 7:30 p.m. (Buy tickets online starting tomorrow, August 13th at noon.) In it, she shares personal anecdotes, funny observations, and even some really freaking good advice.
For example, Kaling’s message to fans who ask about her confidence: “it’s like respect,” she writes, “you have to earn it.” What does that mean? “Confidence is just entitlement. Entitlement has gotten a bad rap … [but] in and of itself isn’t so bad. Entitlement is simply the belief that you deserve something. Which is great. The hard part is, you’d better make sure you deserve it.”
She explains that when she first started out as a writer for The Office, “I had zero confidence. Whenever [Office creator] Greg Daniels came into the room to talk to our small group of writers, I was so nervous that I would raise and lower my chair involuntarily, like a tic.” But if you “work hard, know your shit, [and] show your shit,” you should feel entitled to confidence.
But on to the funny stories. Kaling shares her Hollywood beauty secrets, such as having a television crew to keep her in perfect lighting. She talks about when a woman seduced her into a friendship and her time as a sorority sister. And, she dishes on her “it’s complicated” relationship (we all have one) with B.J. Novak, who in some ways remains the Ryan Howard to her Kelly Kapoor.
Why Not Me follows Kaling’s self-reflective, introductory book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) that came out in 2011. She gets more personal, and focuses on her “second coming-of-age” into show business and adulthood. Those pangs of childhood and adolescence peek through, though, as they tend to do.
You can purchase one ticket and one book for $42.50. The event does not include a book signing and all books are pre-signed. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
