Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

(and Other Concerns)

Mindy Kaling

Back in college I was in love with the Office. It was the only show I would still go out of my way to try and watch. I couldn't wait to see what Michael and his gang of misfit paper salesmen would get into next! The longer I watched and the more time I put into my Screenwriting classes the more I probed into not just the overall show but the writing staff as well. From this I learned that not only did Mindy Kaling play the delightfully ditsy Kelly Kapoor but was a integral part of their writing team as well!

Imagine my delight when years later, when The Office has since lost my interest,I find that Mindy Kaling has written a book! Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me is a collection of essays about Mindy's life, from her childhood as the chubby daughter of Indian immigrants, high school friendships and the comedy worlds of New York and LA. It's not Shakespeare, but it is sure funny, easy to relate to and a little inspiring.

I recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, funny read. Or were/are a fan of the Office. Or want to know what it's like to pretend to be Ben Afflect. What are you waiting for? Netflix the Office, DVR The Mindy Project and buy this book!

Sleepwalk With Me - Mike Birbiglia

Sleepwalk With Me - and Other Painfully True Stories

Mike Birbiglia 

Sometimes it's good to laugh at yourself, and that's exactly what Mike Birbiglia does in this memoir. Mike created a perfect balance between personal, funny and serious - meaning almost all of his stories are very personal, laugh at loud funny and rarely heavy enough that it'll bring down your mood. If you're a fan of his stand-up you'll find a lot of overlap, but in a good way. Things like Birbiglia's Like Fun jokes develop into something more. It's more like he has decided to acknowledge his stand up, but take it on a different journey for his first book -which I really appreciated.

At 191 pages, Sleepwalk With Me is a quick read. I tore through the pages like a house on fire. I spent all of yesterday on a less then pleasant train ride, and usually during these rides I turn to Mike's comedy albums to give me a few laughs and keep my spirit up but this time I decided reading would be a better use of my time. There were still parts where I laughing out loud and having the time of my life, and I didn't have to worry about those silly ear-buds falling out ever five seconds!

There is a lot of honest in Sleepwalk With Me. At 32 Birbiglia admits he's a bit young for a memoir, not wanting anyone to think he's 'wrapping it up'. I particularly liked his brief section on Mitch Hedberg, which, along with his sleepwalking stories are the most serious of the entire book. This is one of the better comedic memoir's I've read this year, and it really exceeded my expectations. If you're in need of a pick me up you should totally pick this one up.