Kaling Mindy : Why Not Me

Mindy Kaling’s second book, “Why Not Me?” is a collection of comical coming-of-age essays and honest commentary on dating, family, friends and the entertainment industry. The follow-up to Kaling’s bestselling debut book, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns),” “Why Not Me?” is self-assured without being arrogant and has earned Kaling an invitation into the small circle of celebrity authors.

Chapters with names such as “How to Get Your Own Show (and Nearly Die of Anxiety)” introduce charming, relatable and often cringe-inducing anecdotes from Kaling’s endlessly fresh voice. Throughout the book, her sense of humor and comfortable style of writing make you feel as though you are reading a well-written Facebook status update from a quirky-cool girl you met at that party you went to one time.

As someone who has exhausted every available season of Kaling’s TV show, “The Mindy Project,” in a series of late-night binge sessions, I was impatiently awaiting the release of “Why Not Me?” for my Mindy Kaling fix, and I was not disappointed. In addition to making me look smart while killing time at various appointments, Kaling’s second book offered advice I imagine might have come from the cool older sister I never had.