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Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) #4
Searching for Coach Taylor
A totally relatable essay on showing up to adult life alone, by the singular (and single) writer, producer, and star of Late Night.
In lieu of a perfect, hypothetical future husband, Mindy Kaling is thinking a lot about being single. Pros? She can marathon any Christine Baranski show she wants. Cons? Dealing with married couples and their condescension at cocktail parties. But until a gorgeous, morally flawless, preferably tall TV dad materializes in three dimensions, Mindy can cope with waiting it out (from the driver’s seat).
From the acclaimed writer, actor, director, producer, and New York Times bestselling author comes Nothing Like I Imagined. In these essays, Mindy Kaling shares the latest chapters of a multitasking life in Hollywood. Read or listen to them in a single setting. Either way, they’re pitch-perfect.
In lieu of a perfect, hypothetical future husband, Mindy Kaling is thinking a lot about being single. Pros? She can marathon any Christine Baranski show she wants. Cons? Dealing with married couples and their condescension at cocktail parties. But until a gorgeous, morally flawless, preferably tall TV dad materializes in three dimensions, Mindy can cope with waiting it out (from the driver’s seat).
From the acclaimed writer, actor, director, producer, and New York Times bestselling author comes Nothing Like I Imagined. In these essays, Mindy Kaling shares the latest chapters of a multitasking life in Hollywood. Read or listen to them in a single setting. Either way, they’re pitch-perfect.
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2020
1238 people are currently reading
10958 people want to read
About the author
Mindy Kaling
31 books251k followersMindy Kaling is an actor, writer, producer, and director. She currently stars in the Hulu original comedy series “The Mindy Project," which she also writes and executive produces.
Before "The Mindy Project," Mindy was best known for her work on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning NBC show “The Office.” In addition to directing, producing, and portraying celebrity-obsessed Kelly Kapoor, Mindy wrote 18 episodes of the series, including the Emmy nominated episode “Niagra.”
In 2011, Mindy penned the comedic memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns), which continues to be featured on New York Times’ and USA Today’s best-seller lists. Mindy’s second memoir Why Not Me? was released in September 2015 and launched at #1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list.
In 2005, Mindy made her film debut as the object of Paul Rudd's unwanted affections in Judd Apatow’s THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. Most recently, Mindy lent her voice to the character Disgust in the Oscar-winning Pixar animated film INSIDE OUT alongside Amy Poehler and Bill Hader, and was seen in THE NIGHT BEFORE alongside Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. She will next begin production on OCEAN’S 8 alongside Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway.
Mindy was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2012. In 2014, she was named one of Glamour’s women of the year.
Before "The Mindy Project," Mindy was best known for her work on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning NBC show “The Office.” In addition to directing, producing, and portraying celebrity-obsessed Kelly Kapoor, Mindy wrote 18 episodes of the series, including the Emmy nominated episode “Niagra.”
In 2011, Mindy penned the comedic memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns), which continues to be featured on New York Times’ and USA Today’s best-seller lists. Mindy’s second memoir Why Not Me? was released in September 2015 and launched at #1 on the New York Times’ best-seller list.
In 2005, Mindy made her film debut as the object of Paul Rudd's unwanted affections in Judd Apatow’s THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. Most recently, Mindy lent her voice to the character Disgust in the Oscar-winning Pixar animated film INSIDE OUT alongside Amy Poehler and Bill Hader, and was seen in THE NIGHT BEFORE alongside Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. She will next begin production on OCEAN’S 8 alongside Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway.
Mindy was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2012. In 2014, she was named one of Glamour’s women of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
December 26, 2023
In this book, Mindy Kaling tells us the pros and cons of single life. She says that it gives her the ability to carry on daily life with complete freedom. Sometimes she feels so happy for being single, and sometimes she feels so sad that she doesn’t have a life partner to have a beautiful marital life like her parents.
According to her being single is very complicated and liberating at the same time. She also mentions the genuine and bogus conversations married women have with single women. She delineates many profound things that have the power to make you cogitate for a long time. But instead of pushing you to a deep contemplation mode, Mindy hits you with an exceptional joke at the correct juncture that produces an instant guffaw.
My favorite three lines from this book.
“If you see a single mom without armpit stains, it probably means her kid is off at college.”
“The problem with basing your dream husband on the men you see on TV is that no actual human resembles any of them. You go forth with this traditionally gorgeous, morally flawless ideal that you can’t actually find out in the three-dimensional world.”
“Married women must know that when they trash their husbands, we interpret it as a sign of their love and deep companionship, making us feel worse about being single. And if they know this, then the only reason they would say anything is if for some reason they actually wanted us to feel worse about being single. And the only reason they’d want us to feel worse about being single is if they were secretly jealous. So maybe pity-patter isn’t pity at all, but actually envy disguised as pity disguised as goodwill and kindness?”
If you are a single person not involved in any relationship, this book will be a great choice.
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February 3, 2021
Look. This was free due to me being a Prime member. I just didn't like it. These essays are not really telling me much and I think I have heard Kaling lamenting about not having a long time partner in her last book. Now she's going on about being a single mother. I don't know. It just didn't tell me anything new.
October 11, 2020
We've been watching the Mindy Project (a rewatch for me, first time for my husband) so when I saw this series of six essays by Mindy Kaling it was an obvious download. The Kindle version is free to Amazon Prime members and after you download them you can access the audio free as well. Obviously I listened to this in audio read by the author - this is the shortest in the "Nothing Like I Imagined" series.
Coach Taylor, by the way, is the fictional character played by Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights. (If I were going to refer to him as an ideal male I would use his character from Early Edition.)
This essay is about why it's better not to get married. Okay!
Coach Taylor, by the way, is the fictional character played by Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights. (If I were going to refer to him as an ideal male I would use his character from Early Edition.)
This essay is about why it's better not to get married. Okay!
December 4, 2021
Gives and takes of a single mom
November 26, 2020
To be completely honest I have no idea who Coach Taylor is, I still found it funny. I like reading this type of pro-con list.
The only downside is the fact that this could´ve been part of one book with essays instead of publishing it separately.
The only downside is the fact that this could´ve been part of one book with essays instead of publishing it separately.
October 8, 2020
The problem with basing your dream husband on the men you see on TV is that no actual human resembles any of them. You go forth with this traditionally gorgeous, morally flawless ideal that you can’t actually find out in the three-dimensional world. The men you meet can’t live up to these unrealistic standards. They will be flawed—not in the charming way that TV characters are flawed (he tried to cook you dinner for your birthday and set fire to the kitchen), but in a really annoying way that is tedious to put up with (he sides with his mother over you constantly)—and they will disappoint you. Until you find the right one, I’m told. Then, yes, he’ll be flawed and sometimes annoying and sometimes disappointing, but this will be outweighed by your love for him and the bond you share. Isn’t that romantic?
June 30, 2021
Mindy weighs the pros and cons of being a single parent vs a coupled nurturer. She also imagines having Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights as the "father" of her child - hence the title.
I can totally get behind this little fantasy . . .
I can totally get behind this little fantasy . . .
January 15, 2025
4⭐️
Short, sweet and relatable as hell
"Did you know that women who don't even like football will watch it just to make their husbands happy? I don't know you guys, that sounds insane."
Short, sweet and relatable as hell
January 4, 2021
Mindy does a great job of sharing her story about being a single mom.
"A totally relatable essay on showing up to adult life alone, by the singular (and single) writer, producer, and star of Late Night.
In lieu of a perfect, hypothetical future husband, Mindy Kaling is thinking a lot about being single. Pros? She can marathon any Christine Baranski show she wants. Cons? Dealing with married couples and their condescension at cocktail parties. But until a gorgeous, morally flawless, preferably tall TV dad materializes in three dimensions, Mindy can cope with waiting it out (from the driver’s seat)."
"A totally relatable essay on showing up to adult life alone, by the singular (and single) writer, producer, and star of Late Night.
In lieu of a perfect, hypothetical future husband, Mindy Kaling is thinking a lot about being single. Pros? She can marathon any Christine Baranski show she wants. Cons? Dealing with married couples and their condescension at cocktail parties. But until a gorgeous, morally flawless, preferably tall TV dad materializes in three dimensions, Mindy can cope with waiting it out (from the driver’s seat)."
November 29, 2020
This is part of a collection of essays and I'm going to give it an overall rating of 3.5 rounded up to 4.
I listened to these on audio book and Mindy Kaling comes across as extremely personable and funny. It felt like i was listening to a friend tell me about her weekend.
I listened to these on audio book and Mindy Kaling comes across as extremely personable and funny. It felt like i was listening to a friend tell me about her weekend.
November 6, 2021
Soo good!
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥—𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘝 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 (𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺)—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯, 𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤?"
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥—𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘝 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 (𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺)—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯, 𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2021
A tongue-in-cheek look at her own life and why she is single. Another great essay that is relatable for some, and even if it is not, she has a way of connecting you to it. For example, I'm not single. Been married 20 years. Still, I get why she has chosen not to be tied down. Although she hasn't ruled it out.
I look forward to the next essay!
4.5/5
I look forward to the next essay!
4.5/5
June 24, 2021
"I guess I'm at the point in life where if I had to choose between having boring sex with someone I love for fifteen minutes before going to sleep or being on Instagram, I choose instagram every time."
Words to live by 🙌🏽
Words to live by 🙌🏽
October 8, 2020
Another funny antidote about the pros and cons of being single versus being married.
May 27, 2021
Quotes:
And the only reason they’d want us to feel worse about being single is if they were secretly jealous. So maybe pity-patter isn’t pity at all, but actually envy disguised as pity disguised as goodwill and kindness?
Being single, and being a single mom, is really complicated. Sometimes it’s the most liberating and lucky feeling in the world. Sometimes I am just so grateful to be an independent woman doing what I want, when I want, that I could cry with gratitude. I can’t believe the shit my married female friends have to put up with. But other times I could cry because I can’t believe I’m not in the kind of stable and happy marriage that my parents had. Either way, there’s a lot of crying. It’s fun to have a partner. It’s why buddy comedies exist. Movies about solo journeys are scary and depressing. I would rather be in Step Brothers than 127 Hours, wouldn’t you? And a successful marriage is the ultimate buddy comedy.
The problem with basing your dream husband on the men you see on TV is that no actual human resembles any of them. You go forth with this traditionally gorgeous, morally flawless ideal that you can’t actually find out in the three-dimensional world. The men you meet can’t live up to these unrealistic standards.
A husband is a built-in, permanent plus-one. That is extremely valuable. I love going to parties with a buffer between myself and people I don’t want to talk to. That’s heaven.
I happen to love dining alone at restaurants. I can read a book or be on my phone with impunity without annoying a significant other or signaling to the rest of the restaurant how dysfunctional we are.
There’s so much about my husband-less life that I love, and I do feel confident that it’s the best choice for me right now. But life is long and we’re always changing. When I look back at all the times I felt certain about something, I see that I was often wrong or ended up changing my mind. So I’m open to the possibility that my Coach Taylor is out there somewhere, just waiting to steal my second nightstand and limit Kit’s Elmo intake.
In the meantime, there’s no need to pity me. My situation might be different from yours, but it’s no better and no worse. I try to remember that whenever I’m feeling lonely, and I hope I remember it if/when I have a husband and his parents are sawing away at my very last nerve.
And the only reason they’d want us to feel worse about being single is if they were secretly jealous. So maybe pity-patter isn’t pity at all, but actually envy disguised as pity disguised as goodwill and kindness?
Being single, and being a single mom, is really complicated. Sometimes it’s the most liberating and lucky feeling in the world. Sometimes I am just so grateful to be an independent woman doing what I want, when I want, that I could cry with gratitude. I can’t believe the shit my married female friends have to put up with. But other times I could cry because I can’t believe I’m not in the kind of stable and happy marriage that my parents had. Either way, there’s a lot of crying. It’s fun to have a partner. It’s why buddy comedies exist. Movies about solo journeys are scary and depressing. I would rather be in Step Brothers than 127 Hours, wouldn’t you? And a successful marriage is the ultimate buddy comedy.
The problem with basing your dream husband on the men you see on TV is that no actual human resembles any of them. You go forth with this traditionally gorgeous, morally flawless ideal that you can’t actually find out in the three-dimensional world. The men you meet can’t live up to these unrealistic standards.
A husband is a built-in, permanent plus-one. That is extremely valuable. I love going to parties with a buffer between myself and people I don’t want to talk to. That’s heaven.
I happen to love dining alone at restaurants. I can read a book or be on my phone with impunity without annoying a significant other or signaling to the rest of the restaurant how dysfunctional we are.
There’s so much about my husband-less life that I love, and I do feel confident that it’s the best choice for me right now. But life is long and we’re always changing. When I look back at all the times I felt certain about something, I see that I was often wrong or ended up changing my mind. So I’m open to the possibility that my Coach Taylor is out there somewhere, just waiting to steal my second nightstand and limit Kit’s Elmo intake.
In the meantime, there’s no need to pity me. My situation might be different from yours, but it’s no better and no worse. I try to remember that whenever I’m feeling lonely, and I hope I remember it if/when I have a husband and his parents are sawing away at my very last nerve.
January 8, 2021
When I started reading Mindy’s first book, a very close friend of mine told me “I can’t just stand that lady” and I told “let me read and decide then”.
Luckily her first book I read was not that bad infact that was nice funny read, but when I read this one, I can totally understand what my friend meant when he said - “I can’t just stand that Lady”.
I found comical her list of reasons why she doesn't regret being single, her bashing of married people and a husband in general was regrettable. She clearly does not understand the real bliss and commitment that come from fighting for and working on the covenant of marriage long term. Her whole view really is a commentary on how marriage is viewed and often handled by many young single adults today, as well those choosing to live together before marriage.
This essay is best summarized as Kaling's pro/con list for being a single woman/mom. I have mixed feelings about this one. I'm pretty sure Kaling's just trying to entertain readers in a light-hearted, inoffensive manner by throwing a bunch of pretty antiquated ideas about committed relationships out there. Ultimately, not being the target audience for this particular type of humor made this essay fell flat for me.
Luckily her first book I read was not that bad infact that was nice funny read, but when I read this one, I can totally understand what my friend meant when he said - “I can’t just stand that Lady”.
I found comical her list of reasons why she doesn't regret being single, her bashing of married people and a husband in general was regrettable. She clearly does not understand the real bliss and commitment that come from fighting for and working on the covenant of marriage long term. Her whole view really is a commentary on how marriage is viewed and often handled by many young single adults today, as well those choosing to live together before marriage.
This essay is best summarized as Kaling's pro/con list for being a single woman/mom. I have mixed feelings about this one. I'm pretty sure Kaling's just trying to entertain readers in a light-hearted, inoffensive manner by throwing a bunch of pretty antiquated ideas about committed relationships out there. Ultimately, not being the target audience for this particular type of humor made this essay fell flat for me.
October 30, 2020
The Single Life
Review of the Amazon Original kindle eBook (2020)
Mindy Kaling relates her feelings about being single at couples parties and fantasizes about what they think of her. Her imagined perfect partner is Coach Taylor (as played by Kyle Chandler in the Friday Night Lights TV-series).
Searching for Coach Taylor is one of the six-part Nothing Like I Imagined collection of autobiographical short comedy essays by Mindy Kaling available through Amazon Originals.
Review of the Amazon Original kindle eBook (2020)
Mindy Kaling relates her feelings about being single at couples parties and fantasizes about what they think of her. Her imagined perfect partner is Coach Taylor (as played by Kyle Chandler in the Friday Night Lights TV-series).
Searching for Coach Taylor is one of the six-part Nothing Like I Imagined collection of autobiographical short comedy essays by Mindy Kaling available through Amazon Originals.
December 9, 2020
[Audiobook Review] I don't know what I keep expecting from Mindy. We are just not aligned in our likes, dislikes, lives, etc. I don't think we'd be friends in real life. When I read comedy nonfiction, I want to feel like I'd at least be friendly if not outright friends with the writer. I feel this way about Erin Gibson, Rhetta, Mike Birbiglia, Jonathan Van Ness, Zach Anner, Trevor Noah, etc. I. Just. Don't. Get. Mindy. I tried. This is the second time. We are just two different people.
January 19, 2022
I liked this short essay about the pros and cons of being an unmarried woman and single mother! It was very light-hearted as Kaling does best, with a lot of truth and wisdom tucked into the humor. Of course she doesn't spend a lot of time talking about the immense amount of privilege she has in being a single mother (money, help, etc.) but it's comedy so who cares.
January 18, 2021
Yes!
Everything about this is me.
From the pity talk to the empowering feeling of parenting decisions to the benefits of singledom.
I felt every inch of this essay in my core.
This is my life on paper.
I, too, am waiting for my Coach Taylor (who isn't?!) but for now, I'm all-the-way good.
Everything about this is me.
From the pity talk to the empowering feeling of parenting decisions to the benefits of singledom.
I felt every inch of this essay in my core.
This is my life on paper.
I, too, am waiting for my Coach Taylor (who isn't?!) but for now, I'm all-the-way good.
October 9, 2020
Nothing Like I Imagined
Since this is a collection of quick personal essays I’ve decided to review them all in one swoop anthology style.
Please Like Me (But Keep Away) - 4 Stars - This essay reviews the time when Mindy moved to LA to write for the office and had to find/make friends as an adult. A most daunting task indeed. She speaks of wanting a close group of girlfriends and even her experience in trying to join one and of how she somehow ended up with a male BFF. Making new friends as an adult is something I’ve yet to really be able to do though I will see my efforts have been less than minimal. I love my current tight knit friend group however I find being the only single, childless one to be alienating and I think it’s unfair to put more demands on their time than they already have but finding new people who I can demand spend time with is very difficult. I’ve said before that Mindy seems familiar and in this essay I see myself.
Kind of Hindu - 4.5 Stars - Something I’ve never considered about parenthood (because I haven’t had to) is religion. I’m sure as a member of a dominant religion I wouldn’t bat an eye at raising my child in a christian faith but what if said imaginary child had a father who was of a different faith. What would I do? So many questions that my mind starts to spin and I’ll save you the downward cycle but it’s an important responsibility. The story of her daughter’s Mundan ceremony is humorous from the outside but I’m sure traumatizing for both mama and daughter… and hair stylist. This is the kind of gem I’m happy she shared with the world. I feel like I learned something not only personal but cultural.
Help Is On the Way - 4 Stars - Admitting you need help is one of the hardest things to do as an adult. We make decisions and we feel like we should be able to handle the repercussions of these decisions. We follow the example our parents gave us and think we should be able to do it too. That is why Mindy struggles so hard with the decision of hiring a baby nurse. It’s nothing her mother would have done. It is nothing she was culturally raised to do but it turned out to be one of the best experiences of her life.
Searching for Coach Taylor - 4 Stars - In this essay we explore single parent pity and what it means to have a husband or partner. Mindy handles it with her trademark wit and grace but makes some other really great points about the things you give up or have to negotiate about too.
Once Upon a Time in Silver Lake - 3 Stars - A short, weird tale of a night out with her best friend BJ. I’m not sure what we are supposed to derive from the story. It a good party antidote though.
Big Shot - 4 Stars - Mindy shares a lesson she learned about generosity and expecting gratitude. She gives her readers endless curiosity over who “Max Davis” really is. She also shares a day in her life as a kind of bonus essay.
Wow the quality of these reviews really diminish. LOL
Since this is a collection of quick personal essays I’ve decided to review them all in one swoop anthology style.
Please Like Me (But Keep Away) - 4 Stars - This essay reviews the time when Mindy moved to LA to write for the office and had to find/make friends as an adult. A most daunting task indeed. She speaks of wanting a close group of girlfriends and even her experience in trying to join one and of how she somehow ended up with a male BFF. Making new friends as an adult is something I’ve yet to really be able to do though I will see my efforts have been less than minimal. I love my current tight knit friend group however I find being the only single, childless one to be alienating and I think it’s unfair to put more demands on their time than they already have but finding new people who I can demand spend time with is very difficult. I’ve said before that Mindy seems familiar and in this essay I see myself.
Kind of Hindu - 4.5 Stars - Something I’ve never considered about parenthood (because I haven’t had to) is religion. I’m sure as a member of a dominant religion I wouldn’t bat an eye at raising my child in a christian faith but what if said imaginary child had a father who was of a different faith. What would I do? So many questions that my mind starts to spin and I’ll save you the downward cycle but it’s an important responsibility. The story of her daughter’s Mundan ceremony is humorous from the outside but I’m sure traumatizing for both mama and daughter… and hair stylist. This is the kind of gem I’m happy she shared with the world. I feel like I learned something not only personal but cultural.
Help Is On the Way - 4 Stars - Admitting you need help is one of the hardest things to do as an adult. We make decisions and we feel like we should be able to handle the repercussions of these decisions. We follow the example our parents gave us and think we should be able to do it too. That is why Mindy struggles so hard with the decision of hiring a baby nurse. It’s nothing her mother would have done. It is nothing she was culturally raised to do but it turned out to be one of the best experiences of her life.
Searching for Coach Taylor - 4 Stars - In this essay we explore single parent pity and what it means to have a husband or partner. Mindy handles it with her trademark wit and grace but makes some other really great points about the things you give up or have to negotiate about too.
Once Upon a Time in Silver Lake - 3 Stars - A short, weird tale of a night out with her best friend BJ. I’m not sure what we are supposed to derive from the story. It a good party antidote though.
Big Shot - 4 Stars - Mindy shares a lesson she learned about generosity and expecting gratitude. She gives her readers endless curiosity over who “Max Davis” really is. She also shares a day in her life as a kind of bonus essay.
Wow the quality of these reviews really diminish. LOL
February 28, 2023
i really enjoyed the first story in this collection but any of the others i read so far couldn’t really keep me interested or entertained.
mostly because Kaling spends a bit too much time complaining about things that she thinks about and are not actually happening - so why complain about it?
be it that what she talked about in this story when other women talk/complain to her about their husbands in some form and Kaling takes that as them basically rubbing their relationship into her face.
i don’t know the specific situations but i think that speaks a bit more about Kaling herself than the women she talks rather dismissingly and negatively about.
or basically the entire list the rest of the story is when she shares when it why she would like a husband or when she’s happy to not have one. and the entire while i read those moments i thought: does she want a partner or a person to boss around, nod along and be her escape hatch from situations she’s not completely comfortable in?
is that really why people are in relationships and marriage for?
mhm.
for me this entire story read like one big complain about how she simultaneously complains about wanting and not wanting a husband in ways that makes me thing she isn’t happy with what she had for some reason.
clearly not my kind of read but not everything has to be.
i do prefer the more positive view and not talking down especially at women that didn’t do anything wrong.
mostly because Kaling spends a bit too much time complaining about things that she thinks about and are not actually happening - so why complain about it?
be it that what she talked about in this story when other women talk/complain to her about their husbands in some form and Kaling takes that as them basically rubbing their relationship into her face.
i don’t know the specific situations but i think that speaks a bit more about Kaling herself than the women she talks rather dismissingly and negatively about.
or basically the entire list the rest of the story is when she shares when it why she would like a husband or when she’s happy to not have one. and the entire while i read those moments i thought: does she want a partner or a person to boss around, nod along and be her escape hatch from situations she’s not completely comfortable in?
is that really why people are in relationships and marriage for?
mhm.
for me this entire story read like one big complain about how she simultaneously complains about wanting and not wanting a husband in ways that makes me thing she isn’t happy with what she had for some reason.
clearly not my kind of read but not everything has to be.
i do prefer the more positive view and not talking down especially at women that didn’t do anything wrong.
December 29, 2022
I love Mindy Kaling's humor, and this quick read is the 4th in her "Nothing Like I Imagined" series about her life as a single mother. This particular installment focuses on her being single and the perks and downsides of being partnerless. Sure, she can take over both nightstands in the bedroom, but she still needs someone to grab a bottle of wine from the top shelf for her.
November 12, 2020
This is part of a collection of six personal essays. I really enjoyed it. This one tackles the topic of being a single mother. It was funny and interesting. I’m enjoying this format of a quick read, it left me wanting more. I’ll continue through all six essays.
May 14, 2021
This one was really clever abs well written! Mindy Kaling weighs the pros and cons of having a husband/not having a husband in a comical way! I love how bold she is in her CHOICE to raise her daughter as a single mom!
January 2, 2023
Relatable essay on Single-ism
This short essay explored the pros and cons of being single (according to the author) and I thoroughly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek style. It was a tad too relatable as well!
This short essay explored the pros and cons of being single (according to the author) and I thoroughly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek style. It was a tad too relatable as well!
October 7, 2020
It's about her life as a single mum and her thoughts on having a husband- pros and cons.
December 10, 2020
I don't remember Coach Taylor
I'm going to have to watch the movie to remind myself about Coach Taylor. Do guys like Coach Taylor really exist?
I'm going to have to watch the movie to remind myself about Coach Taylor. Do guys like Coach Taylor really exist?
December 10, 2020
My favorite out of this mini series. I related so much to what she is talking about. I, too feel there is nothing wrong with wanting and accepting being a single mom
February 10, 2021
Whimsical story about being a single mom. I enjoy Mindy’s writing.
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