The Shopaholic Series

I've recently started reading the novels of Sophie Kinsella, the author of Confessions of a Shopaholic. The book is now being turned into a major motion picture, slated to hit theaters in the very near future.

So far, I've read the first two novels in this series: Confessions of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. Both novels proved to be very enjoyable and easy reads.

Let's start off with the series starter. The protagonist of the Shopaholic series is Becky Bloomwood, a journalist who is trying to make it in the financial realm, but she has a slight problem: she buys nearly everything in sight. Becky finds finances quite boring, including her own. She dodges her credit card bills like the plague and keeps away from her bank manager by giving roundabout excuses including broken bones and terminal illnesses. At one point, when she's desperate to borrow money, she tells a colleague her aunt is in the hospital and she wants to buy a gift. While her many excuses and poor control make her seem a little outlandish as a character, she is very endearing.

Kinsella is able to pull off a good balance of comedy and seriousness in the debut novel. Like many chick lit novels, Becky's luck starts to turn around as well as her attitude. She decides that she is going to pay back her credit cards. When cutting back doesn't suit her style, she takes her father's advice and tries to make more money. Her efforts land her on a local morning show where she is offered a position to give financial advice. It's ironic I know, but that's what makes the book good. Of course, there's a love interest and his name is Luke Brandon, a very rich gentleman who owns a very successful PR firm. In the end, everything works out for Becky and she's able to resolve all her debts.

My favorite part about this series is that it's a British series. The language and tone are refreshing and different to me as an American. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a good laugh and can relate to being in debt. Aren't we all?

The second book of the series, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, continues the life story of Becky Bloomwood. While there are many references to the first novel, one does not have to read the debut of the series to understand what's going on. As the title suggests, Becky heads for the Big Apple. Everything in life is going swimmingly with her regular financial advice slot on British television, a wonderful relationship with her boyfriend entrepreneur, Luke Brandon, and she has plenty of credit. Of course, she drives herself back into debt while in London and then gets asked to move to New York with Luke.

Being in one of the foremost shopping capitals of the world, Becky can't help but spend thousands of dollars in shopping expenses in New York. She is ready to live there and start a brand new career in American television when a newspaper back home exposes her shopping habits. Of course, her credibility as a financial expert is ruined. She loses all job offers in New York along with all the jobs she had back in London. Plus, her bad publicity puts her relationship at stake since Luke is trying to start up an American branch to his PR firm. It's all gone.

But Becky brings herself back. She decides she's going to start over. So she does what any woman would dread--in debt or not--sells all of her possessions--clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, computer, kitchenware--everything. She makes enough to pay off all her debts and decides to head back to America to try again. Her relationship with Luke is still on the rocks until he comes to sweep her off her feet at the airport. She, however, leaves him behind.

The novel closes with Becky working as a personal shopper at Barney's in New York--the perfect calling for a shopaholic. Plus, she gets her man. Luke returns to New York and wins Becky back. Another perfect ending for the hero, Becky Bloomwood.

The next installment of the series is Shopaholic Ties the Knot. I am very much looking forward to reading this one. I have found both novels very enjoyable. My only criticism is that sometimes Becky's actions seem very outlandish and hard to believe.

If you'd like to read the Shopaholic series, but don't want to dole out the dough to buy the book. Check out Book Mooch. This is a site that allows you to trade books with others for FREE. Got any books that are collecting dust? Books you know you'll never read again? Then, sign up for Book Mooch. For every 10 books you post in your inventory you get a point. This point entitles you to get a book from any other Book Mooch member. If someone mooches off you, all you have to do is pay to ship them your book (first class mail is just fine and cheap). I've gotten all my most recent reads from Book Mooch and love that I dont have to spend $15 for a soft cover book at Barnes and Noble. However, a word of warning: don't put up books that you want back. Chances are you won't get your copy back. So, only put up books that you can stand parting with. Otherwise, happy mooching!