Monthly Archives: June 2014

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Author: Mindy Kaling

This book is part autobiography, part a list of Kaling’s concerns, and entirely delightful.

She talks about her days growing up in Massachusetts, her time in university, and when she lived in New York, trying to make a name for herself as a writer. Eventually, we all know she moved to California and went to work on “The Office” (she talks about this too).

The best part is her writing voice. It was a bit like sitting down to lunch with an old friend, and just talking about work, life, fashion, men, television. The book-long conversation is an excellent one.

When I had finished, I told my best friend that Mindy would have to be our third “bestie,” because she has a unique gift of making people want to be best friends with her.

I for one admire her. She knew what she wanted, and she has never stopped working hard, even now that it looks like she has achieved her dreams. That’s the point of a dream, really. You should keep on striving, keep on building upon whatever your dream might be, because once you get there? Well, the best part about dreams is finding new ones.

And on a final note, Mindy Kaling is hysterically funny. This is one of those books that makes you laugh out loud.

As is her wonderful show, “The Mindy Project.” I like it nearly as much as I like “When Harry Met Sally.”

Next time: Depending on life and World Cup related celebration/mourning, we’ll either be discussing Rick Steve’s Portugal or I’ll be nursing myself back to happiness with a good old fashioned Disney blog. Until next time!

Follow-up: Saudade

Summer reading is well underway for this book addict, and I’m happy to say that Saudade was exactly the wonderful beginning to this summer that I had expected it to be!

I won’t give too much away, because I really do encourage my readers to check out the book and experience it for themselves.

Let me just say, that I did not see the twist coming! Perhaps it was because I was entirely wrapped up in the beauty of the story and its setting. I’ve never been to Pico, but I have been to Santa Maria and Sao Miguel a few times, and I can say that Miriam Winthrop absolutely captured what it is like to be in the Azores. I could see Santa Maria in my mind’s eye as I was reading, and now I really, really want to go to Pico as well.

Throughout this wonderful book, there is a struggle between the facts right in front of our eyes, and our inner sentimentality. Ann is in near constant conflict with herself, but when she finally allows herself to feel again, and to be affected by the beauty of Pico and the warm generosity of those she encounters, it’s just as joyous an experience for the reader as it is for her.

I eagerly await Winthrop’s next project, not only as an American of Azorean heritage, but as an avid and enthusiastic reader.

Next time: I would totally hang out with Mindy Kaling.

Summer Reading, Had Me a Blast

It’s that time of year again!

Time to work on our summer reading lists, and thank our lucky stars that there won’t be a quiz at the end. Though I’m sure my lovely readers would ace anything that comes their way.

This year, I’m trying to branch out a little, though I will admit I plan to read some books that are well within my niche.

As you all know, I am currently reading Miriam Winthrop’s Saudade, and I am LOVING it. Expect a more detailed post once I have finished. Most of my spare time lately has been taken up by getting lost in that book.

Next up is Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? because she’s one of my favorite people. She’s smart and funny, and if you’re not watching “The Mindy Project” you need to be. I have a friend who likes to declare that certain people and things are her “spirit animal,” and in this case I really think Mindy Kaling is mine.

Also on deck is The Monuments Men, as I really enjoyed the film.

And since I can’t get enough Tolkien punishment, I am eagerly anticipating my next paycheck so that I can spend it on his Beowulf translation and commentary. There might also be some Thorin Oakenshield emotions involved in this reading. Because Thorin is rather like Beowulf in his own way. (Really, my reading habits should be a warning to what fandom can do to a person. But I must admit I enjoy my afflictions.)

Normally, my thoughts turn to Poirot at this time of year, and this summer will be no exception. My summer reading wish list includes Death in the Clouds, which has a fun tie-in to “The Unicorn and the Wasp” episode of “Doctor Who” where the Doctor and Donna meet Agatha Christie.

As far as me branching out, brace yourselves:

Herman Melville is on my list.

Yes, I know that my hatred for Billy Budd burns with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns, but I am willing to try anything once. I come from a heritage where a great deal of our men were whalers, and even though I hate the thought of it, I figure I’ll give reading Moby Dick a try. Plus, lots of people tend to quote from this book (again, it’s about a guy obsessed with killing a whale, when whales are awesome and should be left alone, so why the fuss over this book?) so I wish to see what all of the fuss has been about.

Now, that’s more than enough to be getting on with, but I am left wanting to add one more book to my list. Currently, I am torn between Don QuixoteParade’s End (the miniseries was gorgeous and Benedict Cumberbatch nearly broke my heart), and One Hundred Years of Solitude.

There simply isn’t enough interaction on this page, so please dear readers, feel free to pick for me! Or to recommend anything else to read while I’m soaking up some sun down in Newport.