After reading Confessions of a Shopaholic, I was itching to read the rest of the books in the series, so when I saw the sequel going for a decent price on less10.com, I thought, what the heck, I might as well get it! I wonder what the hopeless Becky Bloomwood will get up to in Manhattan...

From Amazon.com:
The world is a different place since Helen Fielding triumphed on both sides of the Atlantic, but the torrent of benignly self-indulgent Bridget Jones's Diary knockoffs has not subsided. In this sequel to Kinsella's bestselling Confessions of a Shopaholic, Becky Bloomwood, a personal finance "expert" with her own TV show, is more of a financial mess than ever: she can't stop shopping, even though she can't afford anything. She's even assigned her flatmate, Suze, to monitor her spending, but to no avail: Becky is full of cute rationalizations, like "Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like," and can't stop herself from sneaking into posh boutiques. Her work-obsessed boyfriend, Luke, runs a financial PR agency, and when he gets the green light to open an office in New York City, he brings Becky along. Upon her arrival in the Big Apple, she euphorically discovers Barney's, Saks, Sephora and sample sales but when wind of her shopping excesses gets back to the British press, she loses both her relationship and her TV job. Becky manages to save the day in predictably winning fashion, with plenty of comic moments along the way. Sure, it's tongue-in-cheek and all in good fun but will the barrage of shopping hijinks be enough to hold readers this time around? Kinsella creates some winning characters, but the credit card and shopping bag action is wearing dangerously thin.

Well well well, Miss Becky Bloomwood somehow manages to get herself into bigger trouble this time round. I am amazed and horrifed at the same time - is it possible that anyone can shop like her?! I know that it's fiction, but at the same time, it is probably based on some element of truth and it is absolutely terrifying how someone can just shop with such abandon, and huge purchases at that! I agree with the Amazon.com review, the whole shopping thing did wear a bit thin, I constantly had the urge to scream - WAKE UP, WOMAN! The level of self-denial was frightening. However, it was still a very enjoyable read, and just like last time, Becky bounced back from her financial woes and she had me cheering for her (and Luke). For those who enjoyed the first book, this sequel should not be missed.

RELEASE NOTES:

I was going to start a bookring for this but as there was insufficient interest (only one person responded), I decided to bring this to meet-up instead. It really is a fun book, I hope whoever picks it up will enjoy it! :)

Picked up last night at meetup. Hopefully I will enjoy it - it will probably end up in the chicklit bookbag, assuming I finish it in time!

I've worked out the best way for me to read these novels! I read the first third, skimmed the middle third (where she makes a ridiculous utter fool of herself) and read the last third where she makes amends. I have real trouble coping with reading the bits about stupid decisions and continual overspending or the character making a fool of herself - I don't cope well with the cringe factor - so that was a perfect way to read it for me.
And if you want to follow my example, just skip the entire middle third and read the following list three times -
Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Vera Wang, Benetton, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahniks, Gucci, Chanel.
Please feel free to add as necessary!
So while this didn't make it into the chick lit bookbag the first time around, it will be going into it this time.
Thanks leeny! I did appreciate the opportunity to read the outer thirds :)

RELEASE NOTES:

Into the bookbag

I took this from the chick lit bookbag even though I already have a copy (tbr). I grabbed it to give to luckydipper, hope that isn't against the bookbag rules :)

Taking this to the Brisbane Meet Up and will give to luckydipper if she is there. If she doesn't make it to the meet up today, I will mail it to her this week.

Thanks michyj, just what I need at the moment! :) I havent read any of the shopaholic books yet, they do sound like ones I will enjoy, thanks for posting to me, hughly appreciated.

I truly tried to read this book, however I think it is just the fact that her shopping was such a waste of money (duh) and she was so selfish, that after about 30 pages I gave up, it was just depressing. I will be taking this to the next Brisbane Meet to release to an appreciative reader, thanks michyj for sending it to me .

RELEASE NOTES:

Taking to the combined Brisbane / Gold Coast meet up.

It came home with me again :(

First a Brisbane meet, than the Gold Coast meet?
Everyone I spoke to hates Becky......... So what to do now?


2/8/07 - This and 2 other Sophie Kinsella books were sent today to mummifiedX5 who has advised she would like to read them.

received today from luckydipper...thankyou!