The third book by comedian and late-night talk show host, Chelsea Handler. And like all of Handler’s other artistic endeavors, this one does not disappoint.
Fans have been waiting for almost two years for the next great literary work by one of the funniest ladies around. Released March 9, already took the number one spot on the Hardcover Bestseller list, with her other two books, and , on the paperback bestseller list as well.
Chelsea Handler is a comedian and has done, and still does, stand-up comedy. However, she is best know for her late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately, which digests entertainment news and gossip, with three other (usually) comedians, collectively named “The Round Table.”
The Round Table generally makes fun of celebrities, the silly things celebrities do, the silly things celebrities say and general silliness of the celebrity lifestyle.
can be though of as a sequel to Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea because there is no unifying theme throughout the book, like My Horizontal Life has.
The book is instead sort of like a diary, sort of like a memoir and sort of advice column. The book is about Chelsea’s life, especially now that she has a successful show and is no longer hurting for money. Gone are the stories of “porking” a donut shop worker for donuts. Now she can afford to just buy some.
There are stories about the Chelsea Lately office and writers, placing the book in the present. It in fatc reads as if Handler is recalling memories and stories from the present.
The chapters of the book vary widely in their subject matter, ranging from a doggie funeral to watching Sex and the City and eating Lean Pockets.
Some might think eating Lean Pockets may not make such good fodder for a book, however, Handler’s unique humor and writing style make anything (and usually everything) hilarious.
Much of Handler’s comedy comes from her delivery, which is difficult to capture in print. The way she inflects and pauses is unique and part of her charm. She makes some attempt to recreate it in the book, but mostly leaves it to the reader to read it in, which is not a problem.
Hearing Handler speaking the words on the page is very easy. Reading the book is almost as if she is narrating it. Her mannerisms and habits of speech prevail throughout the book, so the reader can easily add what is missing from the print.
Handler did not use a ghostwriter for this, or any, book and it is pretty obvious. Every word feels natural and authentic. It is rare to have a celebrity to all the legwork for a book and it really adds to the enjoyment of the book as a whole because as the reader reads it, the work feel closer to Handler.
Closer even than knowing intimate details about her bodily functions and other things unfit for print here.
is a great book. In a time of dwindling print media, add this book to your (probably sparsely populated) bookshelf with pride. Be careful when reading it though, because it is so hysterical reading too fast is a problem.
Savor each word, because you will finish it much more quickly than you’ll expect. It is only 256 pages, so even purposefully progressing may still render a curtailed experience.
There are still two other books very much worth reading. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang is an authentic, hilarious telling into Handler’s life. It is a must-read that you simply can’t pass up.