I'll Have What She's Having by Chelsea Handler (Audio book)

Handler's unforgettable story of becoming the woman she always wanted to be.

Synopsis - 

There’s a woman I want to become, Chelsea Handler thought as a child. She’ll be strong and confident. She’ll light up a room and spread that light to make others feel better. She’ll make a living being herself. She’ll be a survivor.

But this life of adventure and absurdity is only part of her story. Chelsea knows what it is to truly show up for her family—canine and human, biological and chosen. She’s discovered how to spend time with herself, how to meditate, how to be open to love, and how to end a relationship with dignity. She is a sister to the many women who rely on her.

At ten years old, Chelsea opened a lemonade stand and realized she’d make more money if the drinks were spiked. So she added vodka to her recipe and used her earnings to upgrade herself to first-class on a family vacation—leaving her parents and siblings in coach. She moved to Los Angeles and got fired from her temp job when she admitted she didn’t know how to transfer calls. She’s played pickleball with the scions of an American dynasty. She’s sexted a governor. She shared psychedelics with strangers in Spain. When she accidentally ended up at dinner with Woody Allen, she was not going to leave the table without asking him a very personal pointed question. She went on national television and talked about having threesomes. She's never been one to hold back.

Surprisingly vulnerable and always outrageous, Chelsea Handler captures the antic-filled, exhilarating, and joyful life she’s built—a life that makes the rest of us think, I’ll have what she’s having.

Review - 

This was the right book for me to pick up at the exactly this time. Chelsea Handler offers me a role model in line with the woman I have always strived to be since childhood - independent thinker, outside the box, unapologetic, and always becoming. Sometimes I succeed. Other times I need a kick in the butt to get back on track. This book offered the wake-up call I needed. lately I have been letting the world's influence side track me. 

In I'll Have What She's Having, Handler shares stories from her life, mostly in chronological order.  While much is shared that has a funny twist, what came through the most for me was her honesty - yes she enjoys drugs, yes she appreciates sex with and without commitment, and yes she has strong opinions.  The side I hadn't met before, however, shows up in her strong love for, and loyalty to, her family, friends, and stepchildren (even after the relationship with their dad ended). And her commitment to growing and becoming the woman she wants to be is never sidelined. Random bits of wisdom she has gleaned through her experiences are dropped throughout that hit home for me. Here is one gem, "Focus on where the light and love come from and park yourself in front of that. There are many moments in life when your own light is all you need."

I have come away from this audio book (and I recommend this as an audio book) with my sights reset.  Who is the woman I want to become?  I have always known, but occasionally get distracted.  I am back on track now. I have remembered who I am and the growth I am working towards. No more distractions.

Buy the book:  Amazon US ~ Amazon CA

Meet the Author - 

Chelsea Handler is a writer, comedian, producer, TV host, activist, and the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers. She hosted the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on the E! network from 2007 to 2014 and released a documentary series, Chelsea Does, on Netflix in January 2016. In 2016 and 2017, Handler hosted the talk show Chelsea on Netflix. Her Netflix comedy special, Revolution, was released in 2022 and is now streaming. Her beloved advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, is in its fifth season and her fourth stand-up special was released by Netflix in 2025.

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