Chelsea Handler Finds a Unique Way to Promote Her Love for Books
- by Michael Stillman
Chelsea Handler displays her books and other things (from her Instagram page).
One of the disadvantages of writing for a book website is never having an excuse to use nude pictures. Everyone knows that the best way to increase “readership” is to include nude photos. Sure, everyone “reads” Playboy for the articles, but they don't include those pictures for nothing.
So, finally, this month we have an excuse, and we have Chelsea Handler to thank for it. Ms. Handler is a famed comedienne, actress, writer, and, of course of no importance, quite attractive. She is aware of the latter attribute and has been known to flaunt it. However, it isn't mindless flaunting, as the image reveals. She is doing it for a good cause. Encouraging the reading of books is without question a very good cause, and she knows how to get your attention.
Ms. Handler explains on her Instagram account, “Do you like to keep warm with a good book? Do you like to have fun with reading? I do. If you do too, here are a few books I love that I think you might enjoy too.” Her selections are Less, by Andrew Sean Greer, Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans, and The German War by Nicholas Stargardt. She has been kind enough to provide illustrations of their book covers in her Instagram photo.
While Ms. Handler has chosen an unusual way to promote these books, she is noted for posing semi-nude for a lot of reasons. There is, of course, nothing wrong with this, though the setting is a bit unorthodox. That is snow all around her. It is cold. I doubt those books are providing very much protection against the elements. A beach scene might be more appropriate, but Ms. Handler is kind of eccentric. She also posted pictures of herself skiing without the benefit of books for protection. Say what you like about her but do you love books enough to pose nude in the snow to promote them? I didn't think so.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")