Every month, we review some of the latest and most interesting books for The Bookshelf.

Mindy Kaling’s Why Not Me?

Review: Leah Driscoll

Following the resounding success of her debut autobiography Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?, the writer and star of The Mindy Project recently released her second book titled Why Not Me?

Having previously discussed her growing up experiences, Why Not Me? covers her more recent adventures of the past two years. Much to our delight, the only effect that fame has had on Kaling is that she now has more important people to embarrass herself in front of.

However, it is not the topic of the book that matters so much as the way Kaling writes. Reading her book feels like a conversation with your best friend: unapologetically honest and often hilarious. Her self-deprecating humour and sprinkle of irrationality are guaranteed to make you laugh.

In summary: Once again, Kaling has killed it- if you enjoyed her first book, you’ll love this one just as much.

Sinead Gleeson’s Long Gaze Back

Review: Eleanor Reid

Described by the Irish Times as “a feast of female voices,” Long Gaze Back is a comprehensive collection of short stories written by Irish women throughout the ages.

Compiled by Sinead Gleeson, the publication of this anthology comes at a time where the Irish short story scene is arguably at a peak, and it begins in the modern era before tumbling back in time throughout a strong history of Irish penmanship.

Interesting in this compilation is the obvious themes and topics that are consistent between female writers of old and female writers of new: perhaps even more interesting is the very obvious differences between decades and generations of writers.

In summary: It’s about time someone compiled Long Gaze Back; Irish women writers deserve an anthology of this calibre.