Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, The Book of Joe and Everything Is Wrong With Me Mini Reviews
by Jenners • 07/15/2012 • 2.5 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Audiobook, B Titles, Contemporary, E Titles, Fiction, Humor, I Titles, K Authors, M Authors, Memoir, Non-Fiction, T Authors • 34 Comments
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Publisher: Random House Audio, 2011
Length: 4 hours and 37 minutesGenre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Humor
Where I Got It: Audible
Why I Read It: I wanted a light funny listen … plus I’m a fan of The Office
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Brief Description: Probably best known for playing Kelly Kapoor on The Office, Mindy Kaling is also one of the writers for the show. In this humorous memoir, she talks about her life growing up, her experiences as a female comedy writer, working on The Office, dating and general girl talk.
My Thoughts: This was a fun and pleasant listen. Kaling narrates the book herself, and she has a girly conversational speaking voice that makes you feel like you’re having a long lunch with a good girlfriend who scored an awesome job. She’s down-to-earth and frank about herself. She endeared herself to me by talking about her issues with weight and dating dilemmas. I thought the best part of the book was when she talked about growing up as the child of immigrant parents, which gave her a work ethic and drive that probably played no small part in where she is today. Although she dishes a little bit about The Office, there is nothing too juicy. It is a fun and fluffy listen, and perfect when you’re looking for an audio to keep you company while doing something unpleasant (like exercising or housework). Still, there isn’t much to it so if it is going to cost you a lot of money to purchase it, you might want to take a pass.
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper
Publisher: Bantam, 2005Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Where I Got It: Paperback Swap
Why I Read It: After loving This Is Where I Leave You, I vowed to read more of Tropper’s book. This makes good on that vow
My Rating: 4 stars
Brief Description: Joe Goffman left his small Connecticut town of Bush Falls after high school and never went back—except in his creative life when he wrote a novel called Bush Falls that is a thinly disguised account of his life growing up in the town. The book was a bestseller and was made into a movie. It also pissed off a lot of people in Bush Falls who didn’t appreciate the way that Joe depicted them. Now Joe’s father is on his death bed, and Joe must return to the Bush Falls and face the consequences of his book, his abandonment of the people he left behind and the choices he made in the past. He’s also forced to confront the writer’s block he’s faced since Bush Falls was published.
My Thoughts: I’ve been wanting to read another Tropper book ever since falling in love with This Is Where I Leave You. Although I didn’t think The Book of Joe was as strong as This Is Where I Leave You, it deals with many of the same themes: loss of a parent, reconciling with the past, family dysfunction and regret. Tropper is a master of putting his protagnoists in horrible uncomfortable situations and having them twist and turn (often very amusingly) until they are able to grow and mature and finally deal with all the crap they’ve ignored for too long. I enjoy how Tropper is really writing tragedies but gives them a comedic edge that keeps you laughing. It is difficult to straddle this line, but Tropper does it skillfully. I’m definitely going to continue reading his books.
Everything Is Wrong With Me by Jason Mulgrew
Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2010Pages: 240
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Where I Got It: Downloaded it from Amazon for my Kindle
Why I Read It: It was on sale (Thank God!)
My Rating: 2.5 stars
Brief Description: A memoir of the author’s life growing up in South Philadelphia, though it seemed to be just as much about his dad’s exploits.
My Thoughts: The main reason I was attracted to this memoir was because of the Philadelphia setting, which is located just 30 minutes from my current home and where I grew up. (Although I’m not a South Philly girl by any stretch of the imagination.) Apart from a bit of an insight into being in the Mummers (a South Philly tradition), this memoir just didn’t do much for me. The author recalls various exploits of him and his father (much involved drinking too much and doing stupid things), and this just didn’t interest me all that much. In addition, I thought the author often tried too hard to be funny and it fell flat. Unless you’re interested in the area or the idea of drunken boyish exploits interest you, I’d take a pass.
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I’ve got Mindy Kaling’s book on my list to read. I like the idea of listening to it on my way to work. It could be a pleasant way to pass my long commute. I’ve just bitten the bullet and gotten back into audiobooks. I checked out a bunch from the library.
I picked up a Tropper book, but don’t remember which one! Definitely one I want to read.
Do check him out. He really is good and I suspect you will enjoy him.
Loving these mini reviews though sadly none of the books appeal to me personally. Still, each to their own, I’m glad that you at least enjoyed The book of Joe.
I found that I tend to reserve mini-reviews for books that didn’t set my world on fire.
I’ve been wanting to try some more audio books, and the Mindy Kaling audio book sounds like fun. And I could handle 4 1/2 hrs. too!
It is a great intro to audios because it isn’t too long and it is light and fluffy.
I’ve been listening to way more books than reading them this summer it seems. Have a few in mind for NF, and just finished Drop Dead Healthy –kinda funny. enjoy your summer:0
That was my reaction to Drop Dead Healthy too — kinda funny. I STILL haven’t written my review — THE SHAME!
Wow three books at once! Impressive! I wish I could listen to books as I feel like I could get things done while listening instead of neglecting everything while I read like I tend to do.
Audiobooks have been a godsend for me … it makes the tedious tasks like housework fly by.
I listened to Mindy Kalig’s book after seeing her at Book Expo 2 years ago….I was so anxious to ‘read’ her book after seeing her at the trade show, but I too was a tad bit disappointed! I thought she had some entertaining moments but there were times when her timing was simply off. I still haven’t written my review….darn summer months and life getting in the way!
I agree with you. There were some good moments and it was a pleasant listen but at times it felt kind of forced. It would have been neat to see her in person. I’m curious about her new TV show though!
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What a bummer that neither of the memoirs were stellar for you. We may have different tastes in some books, but our tastes are usually quite similar when it comes to memoirs, so I was curious to see your take on these.
If you wanted to read one, go with the Kaling one … but don’t buy it!! It goes by in the blink of an eye. It was fun but felt slight. The other one was just … ugh.
I have read varying reviews on the Kaling book, so I haven’t picked it up yet, even though I know I would probably laugh at a lot of it. I also really want to read something by Tropper, and have heard that his first book was just amazing. I am not sure if I have that one or not, but I am also interested in this second book, as the premise sounds very intriguing to me. These were really great mini-reviews today, Jenners, and I enjoyed reading them and seeing what you thought of these three. Now I have two more books on my wish list!
I think you would really enjoy Tropper so I highly encourage you to check him out!!! The Kaling book is good but just felt slight.
I enjoyed reading your mini reviews. The first two books sound quite good.
Kaling is too cute, and I just love the title of her book. I think I have Everything is Wrong with Me on the Nook…
Maybe you got Everything Is Wrong With Me during this big $1.99 sale like I did!
That makes complete sense. I was actually thinking I got it for free on the nook, but maybe it was the $1.99 sale…
I’m glad I checked out Mindy Kaling’s book from the library instead of purchasing it. Like you said, it wouldn’t be worth too much money but it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Exactly!!! I wish I’d gotten it from the library too. As it was, it didn’t last too long and used up an entire Audible credit!
Mindy Kaling spoke at BEA a few years ago and I didn’t think she was as funny as everyone else did – maybe because I don’t watch The Office? Anyway, I thought she tried too hard.
I didn’t realize you live near Philly! Why don’t you ever come to BEA?
You kind of feel that in the book as well, but it was an easy fun listen.
And BEA is at a terrible time for me … I’m close enough to drive or take a train but that time of year is tricky. Once BB is older, I’m hoping to make it happen.
I was disappointed with Mindy Kaling’s books. I agree it was entertaining enough but not worth a purchase.
And I agree with Sandy and Jill, lol.
I know! I felt it was slight. I wanted more!
Too bad none of these three really got you going. But, three reviews in one day? Very impressive. I am having a tough time starting a new book today. Maybe tonight…
Don’t be too impressed. I wrote this several months ago … and I have something like 25 reviews waiting to be written. I’m almost ready to give up.
What Sandy said.
If you can’t come up with original comments, I’m going to have to cut you off.
I loved THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU, and like you I swore I’d read everything he had written. I haven’t done that yet, but it is on the bucket list.
I should write a book bucket list so I don’t miss anything.