Mindy Kaling’s new book — Why Not Me? — comes out next Tuesday, and it’s already getting rave reviews. She covers everything from bonding with friends to being a boss. Her essays discuss her “attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.” She also talks about her complicated relationship with her friend and ex-boyfriend B.J. Novak: “I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.”
Mindy always gives great interviews, but a recent New York Times interview stood out; here are some fun quotes:
What books are currently on your night stand?
Dept. of Speculation, by Jenny Offill. I’m playing a new mother on my show, and I keep rereading passages in it. It’s very funny. The other book is Watch Me, by Anjelica Huston. I can’t believe how good her stories are. I can’t believe Jack Nicholson is OK with this book. It’s such a delight to read.
If you belong to a book club, tell us about it. If you don’t, tell us what your ideal book club would be like.
My book club would be held on Sunday afternoons. Dress code: warm-weather black tie. Cocktails from 3 to 3:30. Chitchat from 3:30 to 4. Personal drama from 4 to 5. Book discussion from 5 to 5:30. Early dinner from 5:30 to 7. Then everyone goes home.
Have you ever gotten in trouble for reading a book?
A little bit, yes. My production company is called Kaling International, and the title card is an illustration of a girl reading a book in bed by flashlight, until her father yells up to her room, “Go to bed!” and she quickly shuts off her light. This must have happened dozens of times when I was growing up, and it’s one of my favorite childhood memories. My parents encouraged reading, but they didn’t anticipate me reading Michael Crichton’s Sphere until 2 a.m. on a school night.
I loved Mindy’s first book, and Why Not Me? is supposed to be even better. Will you read it? Can’t wait.