A year and a half ago I started writing a book that comes out today.
I am so terrified, you guys. Not because I don’t think the book is great-– which it really is, I swear-– but because it is the first thing I’ve ever done creatively that is 100% me. There hasn’t been a more complete representation of who I am then this book. So win or lose, it’ll all be on me.
Remember this summer, when that Beyonce documentary, Year of Four, came out?
It’s only twenty minutes or so, and I recommend you watching it. It really resonated with me; Beyonce’s tirelessness, her sense of fun, her passion for making music, her love of fashion, her decisiveness, and especially, her ambition, are all on display. Ambition in women is not rewarded all the time, and in this documentary, it is celebrated. I was writing my book at home in my parents house when it came out and it really inspired me. Not so much in content (I will never be in as many fabulous situations as Beyonce Knowles), but in its spirit. She works her ass off, because she loves her craft, and she loves being a baller.
Even though it was an intense personal journey writing the book (don’t worry-– that was just the process), the material is funny. It’s stories about my childhood, essays, my friends, my phobias, a few romances, Hollywood, how I got where I am now. You’ll really like it, guys. I promise.
Good for: Anyone who has read this far in my blog.
can’t wait to read it - well, actually, listen to it. my husband and i like to listen to our favorite actors/writers books on tape. er, CD. er, digital mp3?!?
lynn @ the actor's diet | November 1, 2011 |
I can’t wait to read it!
Ayesha | November 1, 2011 |
I CANNOT wait to pick it up today! Looking forward to it!
Katie | November 1, 2011 |
Congrats, Mindy! This is absolutely wonderful! I can NOT wait to get my hands on it! Wishing you all the success!!
DHruvi | November 1, 2011 |
I posted this on the HelloGiggles FB page, but I wanted you to know too. My birthday is Thursday and I’ve been telling everyone for weeks that I want this book. I’m expecting to unwrap 30 or more copies, because I’ve told approximately a billion people. Fingers crossed!
I hope I’m not creeping you out with what a fan I am, but I am just SO very excited to read this book! You’re a funny lady and I want to thank you in advance for the laughs I’ll get from your book. If I don’t laugh, you’ll certainly hear back from me.
emily | November 1, 2011 |
I didn’t pre-order the book through Amazon. I wanted to wait until November 1, 2011, to buy this book, and as soon as the workday is over, I will be racing (minding the speed limits, maybe) over to my local Barnes & Noble and purchasing it. There’s something kind of dizzyingly special about buying a book the day it is released. I’m addicted to that feeling. I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you in advance! Yay!
Shirley | November 1, 2011 |
Congrats! I have been looking forward to this day for three weeks. I’m leaving work now (Yes! This very moment!) to buy it.
Julia | November 1, 2011 |
Yay! I can’t wait for 1 o’clock so I can run to the bookstore down the street on my lunch break!
FutureLint | November 1, 2011 |
Oh, I can’t wait to read it. I bet it’s just as lovely as you are. And I hope it shows how you love to be a baller like Beyonce.
Megan | November 1, 2011 |
I can’t afford to hang out with you, Mindy. My family is going to have a book-hoarding intervention if I buy one more book. I apologize. We can totes be tweet friends, though.
Sierra | November 1, 2011 |
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy to review and honestly? I loved it. I thought it was so humorous and fun and full of heart. Seriously, awesome job. Your stories deserved a book.
(Also, I really liked that Beyonce documentary as well. It was fascinating!)
Lauren | November 1, 2011 |
Yay! Good on ya sister. Can’t wait to read it. They’re hanging out without me, either. I can see it from their Facebook pictures.
Vanessa McGrady | November 1, 2011 |
“either” I meant “also.”
Vanessa McGrady | November 1, 2011 |
I am just overly excited that I did something far enough in advance to be only #17 on the waitlist for it at my library. Don’t hate me for being a broke ass and not buying it. You still win.
PammyH | November 1, 2011 |
I’m so excited! I am going to read it then bind it in leather and add it to my sophisticated library of hilarious authors.
Amy | November 1, 2011 |
Your book is currently sitting on my porch and I can’t wait to get to it. I just know I will love it. Congrats on all of your wonderful accomplishments. You totally rock like Beyonce.
NicoleD | November 1, 2011 |
Goodluck Mindy! I’ll get the book for iPad.
Sam | November 1, 2011 |
you rock. that’s all.
Petya | November 1, 2011 |
Can’t wait til mine comes in the mail.
Susan | November 1, 2011 |
Don’t worry! You are going to be #1 on the best sellers list. We love you and I am coming to your signing at B&N on Wednesday to tell you how precious you are.
Julie | November 1, 2011 |
I just recently found your blog about a week ago after being blown away by your article in glamour (absolutely loved it!), and I have to say that I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of your book! ( which I’m doing today before I go to work!)
Cheers to you and all the other amazing women that are kicking butt these days and inspiring the rest of us to do the same!!
Denise | November 1, 2011 |
TODAY IS THE DAY! HOORAY FOR YOU! I HOPE THE PANCAKES WERE CHOCOLATE CHIP!
Alice | November 1, 2011 |
I work at a small indie bookshop and my special order for your book came in today! You know a book is good when a customer walks through the door and you’d rather hide and continue reading than help them. BTW, I really appreciate your chapter on reverse-imprinting with athleticism. I, too, am tired of hearing “It’s all in the wrist.” Love the book so far!
Gem | November 2, 2011 |
I really hope you hear from Mavis after she reads this book. I read it cover-to-cover last night. EVeryone is getting it as a Christmas present this year.
Nicole | November 2, 2011 |
Will it come out as an audiobook too? I enjoyed reading Tina Fey’s book that way.
Also, you look adorable on the cover.
Nicky | November 2, 2011 |
i have impatiently waited so long for your book to come out!
Whitney Soup | November 2, 2011 |
I’m so facebooking you…and buying your book. There are now two things I will keep at my desk. A Forever21 (yes, some have a microscopic boy section) vest for the days I try to pull off a t-shirt while desk-jockeying and this new read.
ZACK | November 2, 2011 |
My fellow breast cancer calendar girls and I downloaded your ebook over coffee yesterday morning — well, actually, before we got our coffee. We were *that* excited.
Diana | November 2, 2011 |
I stayed up way too late reading it last night. You say I should be able to read it in two days… I’ll be up late again tonight.
Tina | November 2, 2011 |
I just finished your book and want you to know how fucking fantastic it is. Seriously.
I had an inkling that anything you wrote would be totally worth reading. After loving and oversharing every excerpt and preview I could find, I pre-ordered your book.
Despite having horrible timing (my midterm was this afternoon, and I had to really try hard to not read about chest hair and dutifully apply myself to academic pursuits), I eagerly devoured your book less than twenty-four hours after getting the much-anticipated delivery confirmation text from Amazon.
If I haven’t made myself clear, I LOVED YOUR BOOK. I am now and forevermore a devoted follower of Mindy Kaling, the author. I don’t care if you start writing children’s books or weird revolutionary war fiction a la Jimmy Carter-I’m buying it. Please start writing your next book immediately, if you haven’t yet.
Amanda | November 2, 2011 |
Got my copy bundled with Tina Fey’s Bossypants! I watched the Idependent Woman episode of America in Primetime and am super excited to follow it with more female empowerment, courtesy of you and Ms. Fey!
Amanda | November 3, 2011 |
received it in the mail just in time for my flight to germany and got through the whole thing in just a few hours… LOVVVVVED it, thank you!!!
Nat | November 3, 2011 |
I just finished your book, and then bought copies for all of my girlfriends. So great to spend the evening with you and your awesome book! And my husband laughed out loud at the line about your room looking like an Anthropologie store exploded…my closet has been described that way many times. Wishing you the best!!!
jen | November 3, 2011 |
I’m looking forward to reading it! I pre-ordered it thinking I would get it Tuesday, but turns out they shipped it Tuesday, so I might not get it until Friday or Saturday… which drives me bonkers, but that is beside the point.
I think it is pretty awesome that you wrote a book, but even more awesome that you are humble about it and wishing and hoping it succeeds (I think it will/is already!)
Rachel | November 3, 2011 |
Mindy: So you’ve been to Fox Books, how about The Shop Around the Corner? Enjoyed meeting you at B&N last night, and hope that you will consider a visit to [words] Bookstore, which many compare to “The Shop,” except that we are thriving (and have a big event space). We have provided job training to over 40 young people with autism in our two years of existence, plus been named New Jersey’s best independent bookstore each of these two years. We would LOVE to have you visit us at any time!
Check us out at bit.ly/wordsbookstoremsnbc and email me at [email protected]
Jonah Zimiles | November 3, 2011 |
Your book is so perfect and inspiring. I’d love to drone on about how we’re so alike (except that you’re the prettier and more talented one of us), but I fear you’d stop listening after I tell you I’m Indian.
All the best Minds! Holla at me if you ever have free time. I promise we’ll be best friends.
Fareeha | November 3, 2011 |
PS: You are ten times cooler than Beyonce.
teresa mupas | November 4, 2011 |
Mindy, you wrote a book!
I cannot wait!
You are so talented and ballsy.
And I love it.
The day mine comes all pink and crisp and signed in the mail, I’m going to take a picture of it and put it up on my blog. It’s going to be such a good day.
xo
Melina
Melina | November 4, 2011 |
Absolutely loving your book Mindy. I’m on your secret friend and “JLMP” chapter right now. Your camp story was kind of hilarious and horrific at once…can’t believe you still have the scar! My hubby and I moved to Boston from Toronto in August; please visit us one day, you’re welcome over, anytime!
Hogger & Co. | November 4, 2011 |
Absolutely loving your book Mindy. I’m on your secret friend and “JLMP” chapter, right now. Your camp story was kind of hilarious and horrific at once…can’t believe you still have the scar! My hubby and I moved to Boston from Toronto in August; please visit us one day, you’re welcome over, anytime!
Hogger & Co. | November 4, 2011 |
So it begins… the creepers come out of the woodwork. You’ll be receiving emails, comment, fb comments, & tweets from a bajillion fans turned stalker who’ll tell you how great you are, how funny, and how pretty. At the risk of being cliche, I loved your book and think you’re funny, smart, and incredibly beautiful. Your hilarious stories and honest advice made me laugh them smile then laugh more loudly. This was risky behavior, since I read your book at work and out in public. To add injury, I decided that I couldn’t wait for a hard copy to arrive in the mail and downloaded it via kindle ap on my phone. It must have been bizarre for people to see me staring incessantly at my phone smiling then randomly let out bursts of insane laughter. Totally worth it though.
Love your sense of humor and style, totally appreciate the process that has led you to stardom…continue to make us laugh (please and thank you)..blah blah blah… more flattery to be inserted by my stalker counterparts.
*throws down a Forever21 jacket*
Anna | November 4, 2011 |
I bought the audio book last night. I love it! So many laugh out loud moments. And the best friend section is right on. You’re funny and inspiring.
ALicia | November 4, 2011 |
I got your book for my birthday on Tuesday, and I’ve already finished it. It was so great! My favorite part was about the one night stands thing because my friends think I’m weird that I think any time spent alone with a strange man will result in me getting murdered (which still doesn’t seem outlandish to me). I’m glad I’m not alone!
I just graduated Emerson College, and I want to be a comedy writer/performer. You’re a huge inspiration to me!
Dara | November 4, 2011 |
I just went to my town’s public library’s card catalog to see if your book was on the shelves. Come to find out the Monroe County Public Library has four copies of your book, all of which are checked out with 42 holds placed. We also have the audiobook which is checked out with 4 holds. Bummer for me, but great news for you. Congratulations. You’re an inspiration to smart, funny, badass girl clumsily, humiliatingly and hilariously trying to navigate their way to being smart, funny, badass women (myself included).
EMily Hoffman | December 1, 2011 |