Series
Publication
Delta (imprint of Dell Publishing) (2001), Edition: Cover Has Some Spots, 310 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:�??A hilarious tale . . . hijinks worthy of classic I Love Lucy episodes . . . too good to pass up.�?��??USA Today 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. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Sophie Kinsella�??s Shopaholic to the Stars. Praise for Sophie Kinsella and Confessions of a Shopaholic �??Kinsella�??s Bloomwood is plucky and funny. . . . You won�??t have to shop around to find a more winning protagonist.�?��??People �??If a crème brûlée could be transmogrified into a book, it would be Confessions of a Shopaholic.�?��??The Star-Ledger �??A have-your-cake-and-eat-it romp, done with brio and not a syllable of moralizing. . . . Kinse… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I wound up enjoying this far more than I thought I would. Given the title, the description in the back, and the opening letters from a bank, I was getting this picture of our heroine, Becky Bloomwood, as one of those too-stupid-to-live types and irresponsible with a capital "I" before I'd hit page
At times reading this I wanted to bang my head against the desk reading about Becky's latest purchase and her rationalizations thereof. But the thing is, I couldn't help liking Becky, even though I've found it pretty easy not to like the heroines in this chicklit recommendation list I've been reading through. It helps that Becky's a good person at heart compared to the gals of chicklit I've read. Not sleeping with her best friend's fiance like Rachel of Something Borrowed or considering employment at an escort service like Melissa of The Little Lady Agency or neglecting her newborn like Claire of Watermelon. Add an appealing romantic interest in Luke Brandon, and her likable and quirky flatmate Suze, and the breezy, often smile-worthy first voice narration of Becky, well, this was a pleasant read, even if I'm not the least bit tempted to read more in the series.
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five of the novel. She's a financial journalist who can't manage her own finances. As her father puts it, there are two solutions to financial problems: CB or MMM. Cut back or make more money. As a young woman of modest salary living in London with a shopping addiction worthy of a twelve step program, well, you can imagine what happens when girl with still functioning VISA card meets that oh so adorable scarf on sale. At times reading this I wanted to bang my head against the desk reading about Becky's latest purchase and her rationalizations thereof. But the thing is, I couldn't help liking Becky, even though I've found it pretty easy not to like the heroines in this chicklit recommendation list I've been reading through. It helps that Becky's a good person at heart compared to the gals of chicklit I've read. Not sleeping with her best friend's fiance like Rachel of Something Borrowed or considering employment at an escort service like Melissa of The Little Lady Agency or neglecting her newborn like Claire of Watermelon. Add an appealing romantic interest in Luke Brandon, and her likable and quirky flatmate Suze, and the breezy, often smile-worthy first voice narration of Becky, well, this was a pleasant read, even if I'm not the least bit tempted to read more in the series.
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LibraryThing member MountainsofBooks
I finally picked up a copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, mostly so I could see the movie. Which sounds kind of lame, but I like to read the book before I see an adaptation. Just me.
Let me just say this: painful.
That’s what it was for me. It starts out as a fun little story
But from my squirming reactions, you’d think it was. It was so painful to see Ms. Bloomwood make purchase after purchase with maxed out credit cards. Maybe I’m a little crazy, but I grew-up in a family that operated debt-free and potential purchases were always met with the question, “Do you really need that?” My husband and I also live debt-free, so to think of the real-life ramifications of owing thousands of dollars to credit card companies for things you don’t need is just a bit unnerving.
Other than the obvious financial frivoliousity, which is noted in the book’s tagline “Going broke was never this much fun,” Confessions of a Shopaholic meets the standards of chick lit. Girl has problem, girl meets boy, girl goes through a series of trials, boy and girl hook-up, everything ends happy.
I do wish that there were a few more confessions other than the heroines shopping woes, say her onslaught of lies? Really, is there no responsibility left even in fiction? Shouldn’t she have to “man-up,” so to speak, and face her friends and family with the truth?
I know it’s fiction, but geez can’t we get some resolution past the inevitable boy-meets-girl happy ending?
Let me just say this: painful.
That’s what it was for me. It starts out as a fun little story
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about Becky Bloomwood a woman with a mediocre job as a finance journalist with an obsession for anything carrying a price tag. Harmless, right? I mean, come on, it’s fiction. It’s not like it’s real or anything.But from my squirming reactions, you’d think it was. It was so painful to see Ms. Bloomwood make purchase after purchase with maxed out credit cards. Maybe I’m a little crazy, but I grew-up in a family that operated debt-free and potential purchases were always met with the question, “Do you really need that?” My husband and I also live debt-free, so to think of the real-life ramifications of owing thousands of dollars to credit card companies for things you don’t need is just a bit unnerving.
Other than the obvious financial frivoliousity, which is noted in the book’s tagline “Going broke was never this much fun,” Confessions of a Shopaholic meets the standards of chick lit. Girl has problem, girl meets boy, girl goes through a series of trials, boy and girl hook-up, everything ends happy.
I do wish that there were a few more confessions other than the heroines shopping woes, say her onslaught of lies? Really, is there no responsibility left even in fiction? Shouldn’t she have to “man-up,” so to speak, and face her friends and family with the truth?
I know it’s fiction, but geez can’t we get some resolution past the inevitable boy-meets-girl happy ending?
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LibraryThing member taramatchi
Another book where I had heard may great things and was let down as I read it. I read for a book club, but it is the reason I don't tend to pick up chick lit books when I head to the store. The lead character is flighty and self-centered, but somehow people still like her. I thought the ending was
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good and redeemed the book for me in some ways, but I am not likely to finish the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibrarysCat
While I don't usually read Chick Lit per se, this book was light and funny. I needed something to read that would hold my attention but require little thought and this was perfect. Unfortunately, I often saw glimpses of my own shopping behaviors - although I cannot imagine finding myself in the
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outlandish situations faced by Becky, the main character and narrator. I guess that is why they call it fiction. I liked this book enough to read some of the others in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cait86
I felt like a fun, light read tonight, and Confessions of a Shopaholic fit the bill perfectly. It was a harmless, chick-lit novel - the type I normally do not read - and I spent an enjoyable three hours getting lost in the world of Becky Bloomwood.
Becky is, in simplest terms, a shopaholic. To put
Despite this extreme shallowness, Becky is endearing. Her attempts to avoid talking to bank managers and credit card companies are hilarious, and the scrapes she gets into had me laughing out loud. When she finally starts to take a hard look at her life, Becky becomes even more likeable, and the reader is glad to see her begin to triumph.
Becky did get on my nerves a bit in the middle of the novel, though she redeemed herself at the end. Kinsella's plot really picks up in the last quarter, but I thought the first three-quarters could have used some editing. Once Becky had gone on her umpteenth shopping trip, I thought, "alright, I get it, she likes to shop!" It was just a bit repetitive at times. Also, I found Kinsella's secondary characters more interesting than the heroine. I wanted to know more about Suze, Becky's flatmate, and Luke Brandon, the man Becky loves-to-hate.
While I enjoyed Confessions of a Shopaholic, I don't think I would go out of my way to read the sequels - though you never know when the craving for chick-lit will hit again!
Becky is, in simplest terms, a shopaholic. To put
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it bluntly, she has no real grasp on the world. She buys things she cannot afford, gets huge VISA bills she cannot pay, and then buys more things to cheer herself up. Becky's daydreams have a habit of shutting out the real world - she imagines herself winning the lottery and actually comes to BELIEVE that she has millions of dollars. Her job is dull, likely because she really does not understand it. Becky writes, believe it or not, for a financial magazine. She writes articles on funds and pensions that are copied almost straight out of the banks' press materials, and attends conferences where she spends her time gossiping with a friend and drinking free champagne.Despite this extreme shallowness, Becky is endearing. Her attempts to avoid talking to bank managers and credit card companies are hilarious, and the scrapes she gets into had me laughing out loud. When she finally starts to take a hard look at her life, Becky becomes even more likeable, and the reader is glad to see her begin to triumph.
Becky did get on my nerves a bit in the middle of the novel, though she redeemed herself at the end. Kinsella's plot really picks up in the last quarter, but I thought the first three-quarters could have used some editing. Once Becky had gone on her umpteenth shopping trip, I thought, "alright, I get it, she likes to shop!" It was just a bit repetitive at times. Also, I found Kinsella's secondary characters more interesting than the heroine. I wanted to know more about Suze, Becky's flatmate, and Luke Brandon, the man Becky loves-to-hate.
While I enjoyed Confessions of a Shopaholic, I don't think I would go out of my way to read the sequels - though you never know when the craving for chick-lit will hit again!
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LibraryThing member shireling
When I bought this I thought this would be a fun read.
How disappointed I was: the bloody woman is just too annoying!
She seems to have a brain about the size of a pea, and I thought her becoming a financial advisor was just outrageous!
Avoid it al all costs (pun intended)!
How disappointed I was: the bloody woman is just too annoying!
She seems to have a brain about the size of a pea, and I thought her becoming a financial advisor was just outrageous!
Avoid it al all costs (pun intended)!
LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
I can’t wait for the movie! I was in the mood for something light and funny - just some mind candy. I was reading all these deep, thought-provoking books all last month that I thought I was in need of a break - and I couldn’t have chosen anything better than Confessions of a Shopoholic.
Rebecca
Mostly the book deals with Rebecca trying to control her spending habits, but really only getting deeper and deeper in the hole. She is bored to death with her job and feels that no one in her industry respects her. She’s a bit naive at times and the way she thought through her difficulties was rather irrational and unrealistic, I thought. But her scenarios and situations where just so fun to read about that none of that bothered me. I was literally sitting there laughing out loud at times. When she thinks she’s going to win the lottery or she has to come up with the excuse of her "fake" aunt’s death - were totally hilarious. And the letters from her creditors with all the excuses of why she can’t make payments (i.e.: a broken leg, her dog died, glandular fever) - were roll on the floor funny.
So, if you’re in the mood for something fun and light - this is a great choice. Total fluff but just what I needed at this point.
Rebecca
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Bloomwood is 25, a writer for a magazine called Successful Savings, lives in a fab flat in a ritzy neighborhood, has all the latest clothes and fantastic, loveable rich friends - what more can a girl ask for right? Well, this would all be merry if it weren’t for the fact that she is in debt trying to live a life that she just can’t afford. Her troubles begin when she starts getting harassed by her loan creditors for repayment. Everyday more and more letters arrive requesting repayment and she is just too much of a shopoholic to stop all her frivolous spending.Mostly the book deals with Rebecca trying to control her spending habits, but really only getting deeper and deeper in the hole. She is bored to death with her job and feels that no one in her industry respects her. She’s a bit naive at times and the way she thought through her difficulties was rather irrational and unrealistic, I thought. But her scenarios and situations where just so fun to read about that none of that bothered me. I was literally sitting there laughing out loud at times. When she thinks she’s going to win the lottery or she has to come up with the excuse of her "fake" aunt’s death - were totally hilarious. And the letters from her creditors with all the excuses of why she can’t make payments (i.e.: a broken leg, her dog died, glandular fever) - were roll on the floor funny.
So, if you’re in the mood for something fun and light - this is a great choice. Total fluff but just what I needed at this point.
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LibraryThing member AMcComas12
This is a funny, light-hearted novel. There is not much substance in the middle of the book, but things really pick up towards the end. I did not really like the main character becuase she was not very smart and her decisions and life-styly made me very frustrated. It did not seem that she learned
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from any of her mistakes, which was something I was hoping to see. Show Less
LibraryThing member silenceiseverything
I'm totally going to admit that I sorta, really liked Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep a Secret. I thought it was a bit on the hilarious side. Sure, it was mindless fluff, but it was entertaining. However, Confessions of a Shopaholic was, more often than not, completely infuriaing. Definitely not
Rebecca Bloomwood is an idiot. There really is no other way to say it. What else would you call a person who continues to shop even though she's thousands of dollars in debt? Now, I'm not saying she was in debt, yet kept getting into it, because she had to pay her bills somehow. No, this wasn't the case with idiot Bloomwood. She kept collecting debt by wasting money on things she didn't need. Just because they were brand-name and oh-so-fabulous.
This chick is so dumb that she starts to think of outlandish ways to make more money. It's not just that, but she actually goes so far as to believe that it's going to work and that all her problems are going to be solved. For example, she winds herself up believing that she truly is going to win the lottery. Sure people buy lotto tickets in hopes that they will win, but they aren't absolutely sure they're going to win. That way if they do, it will be a pleasant surprise rather than a life-crushing moment. But for Bloomwood is was life-crushing because she seriously thought that she was going to win. That that's how her debt was going to clear up. She didn't think of a Plan B, at least not then.
My main problem with Confessions of a Shopaholic, besides idiot Becky Bloomwood, was that the resolution was all skewy. My preferred resolution would be, "learns lesson and THEN has all of these fantabulous things happen to her." But nope, that's not the case. It's "has fantabulous things happen to her and then learns lesson" but even then not really. She doesn't really take responsibility for her actions. And therefore, remains forever an idiot.
So, I thought Confessions of a Shopaholic was really disappointing. Two stars for a few chuckles here and there. Plus, I still really wanted to know what was going to happen even though I thought Rebecca was an idiot. But still, I really doubt I'm going to read the rest of the series.
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nearly as entertaining as Can You Keep a Secret. Rebecca Bloomwood is an idiot. There really is no other way to say it. What else would you call a person who continues to shop even though she's thousands of dollars in debt? Now, I'm not saying she was in debt, yet kept getting into it, because she had to pay her bills somehow. No, this wasn't the case with idiot Bloomwood. She kept collecting debt by wasting money on things she didn't need. Just because they were brand-name and oh-so-fabulous.
This chick is so dumb that she starts to think of outlandish ways to make more money. It's not just that, but she actually goes so far as to believe that it's going to work and that all her problems are going to be solved. For example, she winds herself up believing that she truly is going to win the lottery. Sure people buy lotto tickets in hopes that they will win, but they aren't absolutely sure they're going to win. That way if they do, it will be a pleasant surprise rather than a life-crushing moment. But for Bloomwood is was life-crushing because she seriously thought that she was going to win. That that's how her debt was going to clear up. She didn't think of a Plan B, at least not then.
My main problem with Confessions of a Shopaholic, besides idiot Becky Bloomwood, was that the resolution was all skewy. My preferred resolution would be, "learns lesson and THEN has all of these fantabulous things happen to her." But nope, that's not the case. It's "has fantabulous things happen to her and then learns lesson" but even then not really. She doesn't really take responsibility for her actions. And therefore, remains forever an idiot.
So, I thought Confessions of a Shopaholic was really disappointing. Two stars for a few chuckles here and there. Plus, I still really wanted to know what was going to happen even though I thought Rebecca was an idiot. But still, I really doubt I'm going to read the rest of the series.
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LibraryThing member kimbee
A funny read. I liked it but the main focus is on clothes and buying and for me, that's why it isn't that great of a book.
LibraryThing member creyola
Sophie Kinsella is a great comedic writer. This is chick lit at its best. It made me a little paranoid about my finances, but it left me wanting to read more.
LibraryThing member thereader
Absolutely hysterical! I'm not a shopaholic in any sense of the word--At least, not a shopaholic who charges for Prada. Give me a Goodwill store and some neat items and romance books however, and I'm truly a dangerous checkbook. I love the twists and turns in this novel, and the heroine stole my
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heart the second she claimed to know Finnish (oopsie! Spoiler? Naaah). Love the catty gossip, and I love the little friendly 'notes' from the bank and her myriads of excuses as to why she is overdrawn. A fabulous book for those of us who simply *can't* walk into a shop without buying a little *something*... Show Less
LibraryThing member Shopoholic
A friend reccomended this book to me. Just because the cover looks forgettable, and this book is always featured in the trashy Chick Lit section, it is nonetheless a smart, funny read, and expertly crafted. I was instantly sucked into the plight of this character. It's all about wish fulfillment,
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followed by horrifying comedy, and the suspense builds unbearably to the climax. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jebbie74
Funny thing, this book. I'm not into fashion, and there's not a lot we had in common. But...I know a ton of people just like her! :) I found myself saying who each booboo sounded like. It was a hoot, and was also my first real romp into chic lit. But, shhhhh, don't tell anyone!
LibraryThing member wwjules
When I read this book I got about halfway through it the first time I picked it up, and stopped reading when Becky had hit bottom. I was really worried for her, which shows Kinsella's ability to create a main character you connect to. I was happy with the resolution, and really enjoyed the bok
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overall. Show Less
LibraryThing member hklibrarian
Funny, lite read that I totally adored. Rebecca is niave yet smart, a real contradiction in terms of the character makeup--but that is what you learn to like about her.
LibraryThing member hrstokes
Witty and fun, Confessions of a Shopaholic will have you groaning and laughing all at once but, for me, it was mostly groaning. Not possessing a shopaholic's heart, I found myself struggling to get through this novel and the antic's that the main character was willing to pull in order to get to her
The main character, Rebecca, was, more often than not, annoying to the point that I had to simply put the book down and continue to read later. Her endless lack of willpower, irresponsible ways, and disregard of anything that isn't materialistic had me wincing in sympathy for anyone who knows someone like this. In the end, I think this books enjoyability all comes down to how much you like to shop and what lengths you're willing to go to do so.
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final goal: whatever item she wanted to buy that day, no matter the cost. While I admit, I love to shop and have found a treasure trove of reasons to justify a purchase that I probably shouldn't make, I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy this book.The main character, Rebecca, was, more often than not, annoying to the point that I had to simply put the book down and continue to read later. Her endless lack of willpower, irresponsible ways, and disregard of anything that isn't materialistic had me wincing in sympathy for anyone who knows someone like this. In the end, I think this books enjoyability all comes down to how much you like to shop and what lengths you're willing to go to do so.
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LibraryThing member Ashleysailvt
First half of this book-1 star. Second half of the book-5 stars. If you can get past the tediously boring beginning, the end is worth the torture.
LibraryThing member pacifickle
This is the first in the Shopaholic series. Rebecca Bloomwood has a very serious problem. She can't stop shopping. She has crazy money issues, and literally just hides her bills in a drawer and goes and shops more to make herself feel better. This novel takes place in Britain, where Bex (her
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nickname) spends all of her money earned as a financial journalist on the latest designer clothes. PS she knows nothing about finance, which adds humor as she bumbles her way through the work day in order to attend another champagne press meeting. The irony of her job and compulsion are cute, and Bex really means well, but honestly, can't you just cut up the credit card? How hard is it to not buy more sweaters? I'd only recommend this book if you're a big shopper, because that's the fun part. Otherwise, it's hard to like Rebecca because she comes across as irresponsible, endlessly without any willpower, and materialistic as they come. That said, I did also read Shopaholic Ties the Knot and Shopaholic & Sister. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ancientgirl
Kinsella is another author I consider a cut above, where chick lit is concerned. (I hate to use the phrase chick lit, but here it fits). Her books have just as much romance and fashion obsession as other similar books, but Becky's voice is original, and her take on life entertaining. Just don't use
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her to excuse your own retail therapy! Show Less
LibraryThing member sarathena1
I'm truly not much of a "chic-lit" reader, but somehow this fall, I started consuming all sorts of books that I wouldn't normally grab. This book is fairly formulaic. The writing is not superb. I don't think that it would be a good representative book of the genre and would not recommend it to
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someone. Show Less
LibraryThing member xicanti
This is just a fun, quick read. It's nothing particularly deep, and Becky is maddening at times, but I still got a big kick out of it. It's one of those books that just flies by, too; I'd sit down, read for a little bit, and find that I'd whipped through a hundred pages or so.
LibraryThing member carmarie
I love the 'Shopaholic' series! Who can't fall in love with a compulsive shopper? Sophie Kinsella has a gift of humor! It's a great read after finishing a dreadfully deep drama. Refreshing I would say.
LibraryThing member katastrophe
Almost embarassed at how much I enjoyed this, but it was quite good...people of my generation that rely on retail therapy should be able to relate. Think "Bridget Jones."
LibraryThing member sofree
I just finished this book and I loved it. I cannot wait to read the not installment of the Shopaholic series. Rebecca Bloomwood, though just a character in Sophie Kinsella's book, is a representation of women across the globe, regardless of race, status, and class. She is a woman that has been
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bamboozeld by the materialistic demands of society. Somehow, Kinsella has taken the very real life issue of shopping and debt, and created a hilarious story of a young girl who is broke and confused. Women everywhere should read the confessions of Rebecca Bloomwood, and possibly find the motivation to face their own personal finances. Show Less
ISBN
9780385335485