B Cook

Interesting But Polarizing

Revisado: 06-21-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a glance behind the curtains in the lives of the well known.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Doesn't really apply to this book.

Which character – as performed by Emily Gray – was your favorite?

Doesn't apply.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

None in particular.

Any additional comments?

This is a fairly interesting look into the private lives of the world's most notable individuals. I cannot ascertain how much is fact or fiction or embellishment. At some points, I get the impression that the basis for some of the events are rooted in hear-say. I also had a difficult time deciding if the author is pro-Elizabeth II or pro- Diana. Overall, not a waste of time, but I wouldn't suggest one go out ofone's way to listen to it.

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Wonderful from start to finish

Revisado: 06-20-16

This is an engrossing narrative on the private life of one of our time's greatest women and one who in my opinion deserves a great amount of respect. The author uses well known facts about Queen Elizabeth II to ascertain her majesty's private moments while at the same time maintaining the mysterious dignity exuded by her while in public. I found it extremely well written and well narrated. I highly recommend this book to anyone who watches this phenomenal monarch perform her tireless service to Great Britain, The Commonwealth of Nations, and the world in general.

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Tori got me (somewhat) hooked

Revisado: 04-16-16

Would you listen to Stori Telling again? Why?

Yes, I would listen again. It's actually an interesting story and Tori Spelling isn't a horrible narrator. She gets a little dramatic a few times, but nothing over the top.

What other book might you compare Stori Telling to and why?

Anything written and narrated by Tori Spelling probably...do I really have to list why that would be?

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have a favorite scene....I guess the most interesting part to me is her telling of her childhood. It is told over several chapters and recounts her relationship with her mother and late-father. It's interesting, I suppose, because it offers the point of view from someone who grew up with the money to have anything in the world and all she wanted was simplicity. That's interesting to me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

She could afford anything in the world, but all she wanted was love.

Any additional comments?

This book was good. I've listened to it multiple times. It's not my favorite but it's a good listen. It's interesting to see how trivial money is to a child who just wants to be loved. It also reinforces the old adage that money isn't everything.

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Not A Corey Fan, but...

Revisado: 04-16-16

Where does Coreyography rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is not gonna top my list. I've got plenty that fall far ahead of this one but it wasn't bad. I don't regret purchasing it and I found some of it to be very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I think the best thing about the story is that Corey (seems to, at least) be open and honest about very difficult subjects he's experienced in his life.

Have you listened to any of Corey Feldman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've never listened to anything by this narrator before, but he has this depth to his voice that makes him easy to listen to. I'm not an 80's Corey/Corey fan so this is coming from a completely unbiased place, he's got a good speaking voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some shocking parts that the author tells, experiences from childhood that are touching, sad, infuriating, and humiliating. He touches on some (rightly) uncomfortable things.

Any additional comments?

Overall this was a solid listen. I didn't find it "self-serving" as others have described it. The narration was actually great. I had read a few scathing reviews about his narration but didn't agree in the least. Like I said, I'm not a Corey fan...I'm still not, but he's got a voice that seems made for audio production....not singing, but talking. It's got a depth to it that is almost soothing...it's hard to explain, but it's definitely, in my opinion NOT a negative. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes memoirs and especially to those who like celebrity memoirs. It's interesting at worst and life changing at best. My experience fell somewhere in between.

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Not the best from Chelsea, IMHO

Revisado: 04-16-16

Would you try another book from Chelsea Handler and/or Chelsea Handler?

I would absolutely try anything written by Chelsea Handler. While this wasn't her at her best, it was still funny and worthwhile.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

There was no major reaction to the ending of this book. It is a loosely connected collection of stories taken from the life of Chelsea Handler so there isn't some great epiphany or revealing at the end.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Chelsea Handler?

Absolutely, she is just a funny person. The inflection and tempo of her narrations are funny; she has great comic timing and her sarcasm is perfectly directed...usually towards herself.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

This book actually did lead to or cause a Netflix special to be produced; a stand-up routine that is basically a retelling of the book, although it's quite truncated but highlights the major points. I prefer the audiobook.

Any additional comments?

This is Chelsea's fourth book I believe. It wasn't as funny to me as the other books by this author (however there were definite funny parts) but after taking the book as a whole, I'm not sure it was suppose to be as funny. Retrospectively taking the book in, I think the direction of the book was a bit of a departure from the format that has been followed in Chelsea's previous books and I think she did it on purpose. Somewhere near the middle of the book, I got a feeling that the direction was headed in more serious direction. Was this intentional? Was this a good choice? Those questions will have to be answered by each listener. Personally, this is not my favorite book from this author and it felt a little foreign; I felt a bit alienated, but this doesn't mean it was the wrong direction. Others may love it and think it's Chelsea at her finest...one of my own friends in fact feels this way. I still enjoyed the book and I feel that most Chelsea fans will too. I would recommend it with maybe a word of caution that it has a different feeling than some of her earlier collections.

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Not by C.H. but still worth the listen

Revisado: 04-16-16

Would you listen to Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me again? Why?

Yes, and I have. It's not written or narrated by Chelsea Handler but the stories are funny and very "so something Chelsea would do/say/create". It is (as the title announces) a collection of lies Chelsea has told her coworkers, family, and friends at different times about different things. It is narrated by these people in Chelsea's life and is entertaining and funny.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As I've answered in other books that were actually written by Chelsea Handler, Chelsea Handler is my answer for this book as well. Who wouldn't love a crazy, hillarious sociopathic liar?

What aspect of the narrators’s performance would you have changed?

There is a brief section at the end of each chapter that is in fact written by Chelsea Handler that addresses the events/lies in the chapter that precedes it that isn't narrated by Chelsea Handler. I'm not clear on the reason for this choice, but I think it would have greatly enhanced and personalized the book as a whole if C.H. had of narrated these sections.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reactions...I did laugh and it was out loud but there weren't any life changing events that were revealed in this collection of stories except that Chelsea Handler loves to lie for absolutely no reason....but we already knew that from her own books.

Any additional comments?

I've read several reviews on this book, attacking it for being deceptive on the contents since the cover shows Chelsea Handler and she is listed as an author. I don't really understand these attacks, I went into the book without this assumption... Overall the book was good, I'm glad each person narrated their own chapter, that made it personal and unique. I think it could have been better if it had featured C.H. narrating the chapter comments herself, it would have tied the book together and made it a more personal experience. Other than that, it was a solid book and I'd recommend it to Chelsea Handler fans.

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My First Chelsea H. Literary Experience

Revisado: 04-16-16

What made the experience of listening to Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea the most enjoyable?

Chelsea's narration....the stories are great, I actually read the book before getting the audiobook...it was back in the days before iPhones and iPads and App Stores and Apps for That, etc. This was my first audiobook and hearing the author read these stories instantly made this amazing to me so my review will probably reflect some degree of bias. That fact aside, the book itself is just good fun and having the author right there with you makes the experience....just amazing...can't say that enough.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea?

I don't know if I have a favorite part or "most memorable" moment...I enjoy the entire thing from start to finish...parts that immediately come to mind....maybe the chapter Dim Sum and Then Some where she's mistaken as a "wesbian" sex solicitor at a sketchy massage parlor, run by Asians with minimal English skills? I also liked her brief stent as a "hardened" inmate when she's introduced to the prison world where toilet stall doors are a rarity and sandwiches are used as currency to purchase things like tampons and drugs, which occurs in the chapter Prison Break, but like I said, the whole thing is great. The chapter Big Red (where carpets and drapes match), Chelsea's world-wide proclaimation in her stand against red-headed men is another chapter that comes to mind.

What about Chelsea Handler’s performance did you like?

Just the fact that it was Chelsea Handler reading her own words. You get her own take on the story with the inflections and nuances you would imagine are present in her mental retelling of these stories. They become more personal and more funny when you're getting the story directly from the author.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I had already read the book before purchasing the audiobook and I STILL had the desire to push on while listening. You just want to hear more of these crazy, hillarious stories.

Any additional comments?

I can't praise this book enough...bias is probably taking over at this point, but stepping back and trying to look objectively at this book, it is well written, funny, personal, telling, shocking, and familiar. It's a collection of stories taken from someone's life and retold in a way that makes the proverbial lemons into lemonade through whatever possible embellishments to make them funny, interesting and relatable. Chelsea shows the world that she's a different type of celebrity, one who doesn't take herself seriously and just wants to laugh and (sometimes) make fun of those who do.

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The book that started it all

Revisado: 04-16-16

Would you consider the audio edition of My Horizontal Life to be better than the print version?

I'm on the fence on this one. If it was narrated by the author I would say definitely, yes but since it's not...eh, this one just comes down to a matter of preference of media.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chelsea Handler, of course! Do we really need to list the reasons? She's hillarious with her dry, politically incorrect, self deprecating, and never take yourself too seriously humor.

Have you listened to any of Cassandra Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, and I have no clue. She did a good job as a narrator...but I would have much more preferred the author to have narrated the book herself as she has done with her books since.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A recurring, uncontrollable urge to laugh out loud.

Any additional comments?

Chelsea Handler just writes a great book. She's had an interesting life or creates the illusions of one anyway, depending on how much of the book is true. Either way, I'm glad to have experienced it and I have no doubts that anyone who listens will find something to laugh at. This book being her first, I guess we could call it the book that started it all. The only thing that would have made this book better would have been for Chelsea herself to narrate. The non-Chelsea voice is somewhat off putting at first, but you get over it and quickly get lost in laughter.

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True Chelsea Handler funny

Revisado: 04-16-16

Where does Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang is one of my all time favorite audiobooks. It's funny, familiar, and something you can tune in and out of if you're busy doing something else. The stories aren't told in any stated order so previous knowledge isn't required to join in the fun. The reading by the author herself is also a must hear. If you're not already a fan, my bet is you will be after one chapter.

What other book might you compare Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang to and why?

Chelsea Handler is herself unique and the most comparable "other books" would be those she's also authored...Are You There Vodka...Its Me, Chelsea and My Horizontal Life...the latter isn't narrated by the author but I continue to keep my findgers crossed that one day it will be. Aside from these, books by Heather McDonald and other former Chelsea Lately staff members or other comedians telling stories from their life would most likely be similar to this one.

What about Chelsea Handler’s performance did you like?

Chelsea is narrating her own story; therefore, you get the feeling you're listening to her thoughts as she's experiencing the things described and at certain points you can almost hear the tenseness in her voice as she tries desperately to hold back the laughter. It draws you in and really makes a difference. Her first book is not narrated by her but all books since have been and in my honest opinion, the first book suffers because of this. It's ultimately as funny and as well written as the rest, but not hearing Chelsea's own voice makes it feel removed by a degree and it hinders my own personal experience.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I definitely didn't want to stop listening...I still don't. It's told in disconnected chapters so it's easy to stop and start without shattering any illusions...I'm not really sure what I meant by that, but what I'm saying is it can be done either way comfortably but you might not want to or be able to wait to continue.

Any additional comments?

Chelsea Handler has brought many many smiles to my face over the years. This book was my third experience into her mind and it didn't disappoint. I am on the fence about calling this better than Are You There Vodka...it's at the very least as good. She does a great job as always writing and an equally great job narrating. Whether or not the stories are all true, they will make you laugh and you won't regret purchasing.

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A must for anyone who has suffered thru The Room

Revisado: 04-16-16

What made the experience of listening to The Disaster Artist the most enjoyable?

Greg Sestero has an amazing grasp on the accent that proceeds Tommy Wiseau. If you've seen The Room and just couldn't get enough of the sins against language that fall from this actors mouth, you'll giggle incessantly from the moment you hit the play button. If you haven't seen The Room, you'll want to before it's over. Sestero also has a knack for drawing you into the story to the point of time ceasing to flow at its natural rhythm and before you realize, hours have gone by.

What did you like best about this story?

The peek into the life of this struggling actor and his friendship with the bizarre Wiseau are what make this a must read/listen. It has definitely transformed me into a Greg Sestero fan.

Have you listened to any of Greg Sestero’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Until this, I had never listened to Greg Sestero but have since worn YouTube out doing so.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely wanted to listen in one sitting, but with it being 11 hours there was no way.

Any additional comments?

This book was so much more than I had expected. Being introduced to The Room through a ridiculing presentation, I didn't expect much, but Greg Sestero does such a great job on multiple levels that I quickly became interested in the film in a different way. Well written, amazingly narrated and just overall enjoyable. In fact, I liked what I heard so much that I actually went back and bought the Kindle version after the audiobook, which includes a collection of pictures that I considered also to be worth the money. I come away from this book with a new view (mostly sympathetic of the poor actors) of The Room and Tommy Wiseau and also a huge new fan of Greg Sestero...a down-to-Earth guy who uses a unique, bizarre, but mostly scary experience to turn the proverbial lemons into lemonade and reveals the tender heart in a movie that is on the surface as shallow as a raindrop yet is revealed to be (possibly) deeper than the ocean and proclaimed by the world to be "the worst movie ever made."

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