😅 **Book Review: _Please Like Me (But Keep Away)_ by Mindy Kaling (Kindle Edition, Nothing Like I Imagined Series)**
_A hilariously honest reflection on friendship, fame, and social anxiety—Mindy Kaling delivers a short, sharp essay that’s equal parts relatable and laugh-out-loud funny._
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### 🧠 **Overview**
Published in **October 2020**, *Please Like Me (But Keep Away)* is the second entry in Mindy Kaling’s *Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes)* series—an Amazon Original collection of personal essays. In this **25-page Kindle short**, Kaling explores the paradox of craving connection while feeling overwhelmed by the obligations that come with maintaining friendships.
From her ninth birthday party (where slices of white cheese became a symbol of social trauma) to her adult life as a celebrity navigating Hollywood parties, Kaling reflects on how her **social anxiety** has evolved—but never quite disappeared.
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### ✨ **Key Themes & Highlights**
– 🧀 **Childhood awkwardness**: The essay opens with a mortifying memory involving birthday cheese and judgmental classmates
– 🧑🤝🧑 **Friendship fatigue**: Kaling candidly discusses the emotional labor of friendships, especially as a busy working mom
– 🎭 **Celebrity contradictions**: Despite her public persona, she admits to feeling deeply uncomfortable in social settings
– 💬 **Signature humor**: Her writing is witty, self-deprecating, and full of sharp observations about modern relationships
> “Yes, Mindy Kaling is the genial Hollywood celebrity who posted twelve selfies from a single Oscar party, but that smile took work.” — [Goodreads summary](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55056088-please-like-me)
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### 💬 **Reader Reception**
– ⭐ **Goodreads rating: 4.23/5** from over 14,000 ratings
– 📖 Readers love Kaling’s **authentic voice**, **relatable anecdotes**, and **emotional honesty**
– 🧾 Many praise the essay for its brevity and impact, noting that it feels like a heartfelt conversation with a friend
– 💬 “Mindy Kaling is the queen of making you laugh while making you feel seen. This essay is short, sweet, and surprisingly deep.” — Goodreads reviewer
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### ⚠️ **Considerations**
– 📄 **Short format**: At 25 pages, it’s a quick read—ideal for fans of bite-sized memoirs
– 📚 **Part of a series**: Works well as a standalone, but even better when read alongside the other essays in *Nothing Like I Imagined*
– 🧠 **Tone**: Lighthearted but introspective—perfect for readers who enjoy humor with emotional depth
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### 🏁 **Final Verdict**
_**Please Like Me (But Keep Away)**_ is a **funny, vulnerable, and sharply written essay** that captures the contradictions of modern friendship and fame. Mindy Kaling’s ability to turn personal discomfort into universal insight makes this Kindle edition a delightful read for anyone who’s ever felt socially awkward, emotionally drained, or just plain human.
