Yes, multiple. Not only does Mindy Kaling have her own show that she writes, produces, and acts in, she’s also written two books. Her first, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns), came out in 2011. It outlines her rise from a tiny apartment in Brooklyn to staff writer and performer on The Office. However, it reads less like a memoir and more like a bunch of conversations you would have with one of your best friends. In one of her essays, Mindy even lists the duties essential to best friendship. There are also sections on her childhood, trying to make it in New York, and Hollywood realities when no one else looks like you.
In her second book, Why Not Me?, Mindy takes things one step further. She describes her life as it is now, working on The Mindy Project and navigating her current level of fame. Specific essays range from her love of sex scenes to her vividly imagined alternate life. However, the crowning glory of the book is at the very end. In this essay, Mindy recalls a Q&A session where a teenaged Indian girl asked how she got her confidence. After commenting on how it would have been a completely different question coming from a white male, Mindy admits to giving a throw-away answer at the time due to her busy schedule and that Q&A being the last thing on her to-do list for the day. However, the rest of the essay is devoted to answering the girl’s question in full. Mindy explains how entitlement is essential to confidence, that is, entitlement that comes from working hard. Confidence has to be earned. In her own words, Mindy instructs that teenaged girl and the readers “Work hard, know your shit, show your shit, and then feel entitled.”
This message of self-confidence is not only an important message, but also an incredibly realistic one. No one wants to do the hard work, but it has to be done in order to get anything done, in order to feel accomplished, entitled, and confident. So check out Mindy’s books for that kick in the butt you need. You’ll be thankful and hilariously entertained.
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