Book Review: Under The Influence: How to survive and thrive online by Miss Malini 

Author: Malini Agarwal

Genre: Media Studies, Sociology, communication

Publisher: HarperCollins India

Total Pages: 240

About the Author: Miss Malini

Malini Agarwal, born on May 26, 1977, and widely recognized as MissMalini, is an Indian digital influencer, TV host, entrepreneur, and author. She started her career as a radio jockey at Radio One in Mumbai and later became the head of digital content for Channel [v] India. In 2008, she launched her blog, MissMalini.com, focusing on Bollywood, Indian television, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

Beyond her work in radio and blogging, Malini has guest-hosted several television shows, including CNN-IBN’s Tech Toyz and UTV Bindass’ Style Police. She has also hosted multiple seasons of her own shows, MissMalini’s World on TLC, Inside Access with MissMalini on Vh1, and Feet Up With the Stars on Voot.

As the founder and creative director of MissMalini Entertainment, Malini also launched Girl Tribe by MissMalini, a community dedicated to empowering women. Following the acquisition of MissMalini Entertainment by Good Glamm Group in 2021, she co-founded Good Creator Co. Her first book, To the Moon: How I Blogged My Way to Bollywood, was published by HarperCollins India in 2018.

About the Book:

Have you ever been trolled on social media? Received comments that have upset you? Ever been body-shamed?

Founder of the popular lifestyle blog MissMalini, Malini Aggarwal has experienced the Internet at its best and worst. As a pioneering content creator, she has seen tremendous success and also made mistakes on the medium – and she’s learnt vital lessons from it all.

In Under the Influence: How to Survive and Thrive Online, Malini deep dives into the psychology of rampant online hate culture, explaining why it exists and provides practical tools to tackle it. With insight and empathy, she guides today’s users on how to deal with trolls and cancel culture, respond to hate and provocation, and combat negativity with positive action and mindfulness.

Complete with interviews with prominent influencers and psychologists, personality self-assessment tests and interactive quizzes, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone navigating the complex battlefield that is social media today.

Final Verdict:

“Under The Influence” by Miss Malini Agarwal hits the right cord from the first line itself. It has an engaging, insightful, and fun writing style. This book serves as a perfect dummy guide for anyone new to the digital world, offering practical advice and steps to kickstart your creator journey. It’s more than just a guide—it’s a recipe for healing and positive change, especially for those dealing with the darker side of online life.

Malini, a trailblazer in internet culture, draws on her vast experience to create a book that’s not only informative but also deeply personal. Her writing, full of sass and written in hindi and English mix which makes it feel more relatable. The book includes everything from celebrity cameos to interactive exercises, blending serious topics with a good dose of fun.

One section that stands out to me is about trolling. Malini tackles the emotional toll of being an influencer and offers advice on dealing with negativity. Her honesty about these challenges makes the book especially helpful for anyone navigating social media.

There is also exploration of different social media platforms. She shares her experiences with each one, offering insights into their unique audiences and how to make the most of them. From the old status updates on Facebook to the trolls on Twitter and the FOMO of Instagram, Malini covers it all with authenticity and wisdom.

What I loved:

“Under The Influence” starts with a look at generational behavior patterns, helping readers understand their target audience better. As someone who has lived and breathed internet culture for over two decades, Malini’s book is a treasure trove of knowledge and real-life examples.

In short, this book by Miss Malini is a fantastic read. It’s relevant, packed with insights, and full of actionable advice. Whether you’re a budding influencer or just curious about the digital world, “Under The Influence” offers a rich, engaging experience that leaves you feeling inspired and empowered. Malini’s legacy of spreading joy and positivity shines through, making this book a must-read for anyone looking to thrive in the online world.

It is a light and fun read, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It can be a go-back-to guide for anyone on SM journey as a content creator or influencer.

Thanks to Blogchatter Book Review Program, that I got a chance to read and review this book!

Apart from books, recently I wrote a post about milk proteins, you can check that here!