The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (Book #1)

Details of the Book

Original Title : Confessions of a Shopaholic

No. of Pages   : 368 pages

ISBN               : 0440241413 (ISBN13: 9780440241416)

Language        : English

From the book blurb

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London’s trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season’s must-haves. The only trouble is, she can’t actually afford it—not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn’t pay much at all. And lately Becky’s been chased by dismal letters from the bank—letters with large red sums she can’t bear to read. She tries cutting back. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something… just a little something.

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever.

Author

Madeleine Wickham (born 12 December 1969) is a bestselling British author under her pseudonym, Sophie Kinsella. Educated at New College, Oxford, she worked as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. She is best known for writing a popular series of chick-lit novels. The Shopaholic novels series focuses on the misadventures of Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who cannot manage her own finances. The books follows her life from when her credit card debt first become overwhelming ("The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic") to the latest book on being married and having a child ("Shopaholic & Baby"). Throughout the entire series, her obsession with shopping and the complications that imparts on her life are central themes.

What I think

I say, there are three types of people in this world:

·         People who shop only necessities; if and only if it is necessary

·         People who enjoy shopping and spend time in the activity; not necessarily money. They know their limits and always stick to the budget.

·         People who LOVE shopping and SPEND money on shopping - shopaholics.

Well, as the book’s name suggests, Rebecca Bloomwood aka Becky is a shopaholic. She buys stuffs that she doesn’t need, will not be used and cannot be afforded.  She is obsessed with sales, discounts and freebies. She is crazy about shopping and Sophie Kinsella’s The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, first in the Shopaholic series, is all about how Becky’s life is affected because of her addiction!

To begin with, the cover page is catchy and apt. It gives a sneak peek into Becky’s life. The book blurb sets the expectations. The narrative flows with rehearsed ease, often making us laugh aloud. Characters like Suz, Luke, Becky’s parents and neighbors, bank manager among many others are also well established.

Becky as a character is funny and has a lot of sense of humor. Her thoughts are often quirky and mostly crazy. As a result, the fun moments seems to be a natural part of the story, rather than enforced. Certain expressions like an excited “really!” and a dreamy “People will call me the girl in …” are sure to become a part of our day to day conversation style.

Becky’s addiction to shop and the related descriptions become boring and redundant because of the book’s volume. It would have been more gripping and unputdownable if it was at least a hundred pages lesser!

In short, the book is a must read for all the three types of people I have mentioned above because it is a fun-read - a perfect excuse to be cocooned within the warmth of one’s home and have a good hearty laugh!

Enjoy shopping with Becky!

Rating

4/5

Some words that stole my heart

·     Shopping is actually very similar to farming a field. You can't keep buying the same thing, you have to have a bit of variety. Otherwise you get bored and stop enjoying yourself.

·      I love new clothes. If everyone could just wear new clothes every day, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore.

·      Cut Back or Make More Money

·     So I buy it. The most perfect little cardigan in the world. People will call me the Girl in the Gray Cardigan. I’ll be able to live in it. Really, it’s an investment.

·    If a man doesn’t fit, you can’t exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater.