My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands

Brief Overview: Chelsea Handler is a stand-up comic who now has her own talk show on the E! network. I’ve never watched her show, but I kept seeing her releasing all these books so I thought I ought to give her a try. This particular book is a collection of her one night stands … and it is bawdy, raunchy, brutally honest and very, very funny. Handler isn’t afraid to let it all hang out … and it makes for a riotous and fast read.

My Thoughts: Total fun but not for readers who blanch at the idea of frank talk about sex. If you blush at the f-word or cringe at the thought of multiple casual sexual encounters, this book isn’t for you. However, if hearing about someone else’s sexual experiences (sex with midgets! sex with black show more men! trying to get your annoying virgin roommate laid!) told by a comedienne who has a gift for relating the details of her sex life in a way that will make your snort out loud, this is the book for you. While reading, I frequently wondered how she could possibly share this stuff with the world … and whether she ever contracted a sexually transmitted disease. show less

I don't know exactly how I should describe this book. If you are familiar with the style of comedy that Chelsea performs, then you are pretty well prepared for what you would find in the book. Her abrasive, irreverent, charming style flows in each of the essays of the book. Each essay gives people a better understanding of Chelsea's views on sexuality, relationships, and alcohol, as well as the support system that she's had in her life.

There are essays that are more disturbing than others. For example, in the very first essay, Chelsea describes walking in on her parents while they were having sex, taking a picture of them, then hiding in the basement because her father wants to punish her by hitting her. He doesn't get to do so that show more night,of the but, after charming her into letting him take her to school, he hits her that morning and takes her to school with a busted lip. Some might find this to be acceptable, but I felt like it was a bit abhorrent behavior. Of course, it wasn't as bad as when he made lascivious comments about Chelsea's body later in the book and how attractive he found her. He also made other comments in other essays where he comes off as homophobic and racist, including trying to call the police on one of Chelsea's boyfriends because he thinks he must have stolen a car (one that rightfully belonged to the boyfriend) because of the color of his skin.

Chelsea also has moments where she acts quite ignorant, and those were times when I almost put down the book. She is extremely judgmental, moreso than I ever expected. She makes slurs often, and is not above belittling those who try to be nice to her. She makes fun of her sexually inexperienced roommate for being a virgin, which is just as bad as when others mock her for her experience and comfort with being sexual. She is quick to play to stereotypes, including ones that are degrading to her own life, heritage, and background. Because of this self-deprecating style, she ends up coming off as someone who may have more issues with her self-esteem than you'd expect,

Potential readers need to know that the book, though marketed as being about her one-night stands, is more about Chelsea's friendships, family members, and longer-term relationships. She has more relationships in the book than she does one-night stands. People also need to be of the aware that her schtick about needing vodka or booze of any kind is also present throughout the book. I doubt of the anyone would be surprised by that, but just in case you are, you can't say that you weren't warned. Chelsea also admits to using a variety of substances and has friends who use illegal drugs, as well.

Other than the substances, the bigotry, and the other acts that I have mentioned, the book comes off as humorous and fun. Chelsea is more awkward than I would have expected. And her experiences explain a lot about her sense of humor. I don't mean for this to sound like a psychoanalysis of her, but I totally get why she is how she is now. Yeah, that still sounds analytical, doesn't it? I guess I would say just be careful not to judge this book too quickly based on what you think you know about her. show less

Chelsea Handler is a foul-mouthed, drunken, egotistical, politically incorrect slut. She's also hilarious. This "collection of one-night stands" delves into Chelsea's exploits as she, um, dates a male stripper, wakes up in bed with a midget with an outsized penis, acts as a beard--named Beulah--at her gay friend Nathan's prep school reunion, and gets drunk in more situations than you can shake a swizzle stick at.

Think Sarah Vowell meets Sarah Silverman. Think David Sedaris before he got off the meth. However you think of it, you'll laugh your ass off (even if you're sometimes a little ashamed of yourself for doing so) as you read these essays.

The subtitle of this book is “A Collection of One Night Stands” and that about says it all. Ms. Handler is a comedienne and with a self-abasing sense of humor shares with her readers her experiences (many) with one-night stands. We have all had one or, if unwilling to admit to our own, know someone who has (wink, wink) so there will be at least one story in this book that rings true.

The topic may seem risqué and, quite frankly, sometimes the book runs to questioning any morals the author may have, but it was meant to be a fun book … not to be taken too seriously and that is exactly what it is. Take it or leave it, it had its laugh out loud moments and an interesting cast of characters, some of whom I wouldn’t mind having in my show more life as friends. show less

The only reason it took me so long to read this book is I took a break from reading and didn't pick it up for over a month. Otherwise, this could've been read in one or two sittings. This book is absolutely hilarious and made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. This is definitely one of the funniest books I've read in a while and is a must-read, even if you don't care for reading books written by celebrities.

I couldn't finish this book. I found it distasteful, facile and pandering. It made my skin crawl. Loathsome. I'm certainly a fan of sex in all its consensual forms, so that part didn't squick me a bit, other than it just wasn't written in a fashion that made me like any of the participants. The author blithely trotted out and proudly displayed nearly every flavor of prejudice in the first 80 pages. I'm bewildered by the apparent popularity of this collection.

Chelsea Handler has a lot of sex and she likes to tell people about it, preferably in the form of neatly packaged, humorous anecdotes. This is both good and bad. On the good side, she is genuinely funny, so this book makes a nice escape if you've been reading heavier literature. On the down side, the constant joking can wear thin. I bought this hoping for something more like a good episode of Sex and The City -- entertaining, partly comedic, but also somewhat honest and thought-provoking. Except for the last essay, Handler's book doesn't really deliver on that. It is a fun poolside read though.