So I keep meaning to write book reviews, and then I forget. So I’m going to make a more concerted effort to do so because well…I read a lot. And I like to be judgmental so really the two go hand in hand now don’t they?
Anyhow, so last night I finished “Shopaholic Takes Manhattan” which…was your run of the mill chick lit book. It was cute, but my problem with this series is that while Sophie Kinsella is a great writer and I love her books, her MC’s are very…hard to like.
I mean ultimately, the MC goes through this whole crisis, and then makes everything better and comes out a better person – the whole “self-realization” part of literature. But in the lead up, they’re very hard to get excited about. For those of you who have read the first book, this book was really just the first book…but with Becky Bloomwood shopping in all the great shops of Manhattan. Eventually, the shopping catches up to her and while she starts of with a clean slate and no debt, it’s in no time at all that she racks it all up again.
For as much as I don’t like Becky’s character, I DO like the idea of her and Luke (whom you should remember from the first book) and I like the happy ending that they have. I mean who doesn’t love happy endings? But really? She’s a tough one to root for if only because she’s soooo naive.
All in all? The series is a cute, easy, light read – as it’s meant to be. It’s not supposed to be some inspirational novel (i don’t think) that provokes deep thought. I’ll probably wait a while before I get the next book in the series though. I’ve had enough of naive, shopaholics for a couple days. After all, that is in essence the definition of myself. Though I’ve gotten less naive in the past few years and I’ve toned my shopping down a lot. Though I do still have my moments…not gonna lie.
I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m seriously obsessed with the shopaholic series… I REALLY wanna read Remember Me? by sophie kinsella. In fact maybe I’ll go buy it today… I’ve been in a reading mood
I looove this series, but you’re right. Becky is annoying and half the time I want to punch her in the face (i’m sort of violent, i guess) because of the stupid things she says/does. But it’s a cute, fun read and perfect for summer.
They’re still totally messing up the movie.
Totally agree. They are cute, though B is irritating at times…
I’m curious how the movie will turn out….they cast the girl who is married to Borat as Becky…the redhead from Wedding Crashers (what is her name!?) while I would have never pictured her in the role…
I read the first Shopaholic and kinda felt Sophie Kinsella was overrated as a writer partly because Becky wasn’t a very well-developed character.
Is there another book of hers you’d recommend that is better though? I’m willing to give her a second try.
Um, I often really like chick lit, but I am surprisingly picky about it. I’m crossing this one off the list.
I haven’t read any of these books yet, but I’ll probably check out the movie. Is there a book in the series you’d recommend over this one as a starting place?
Lexi, it’s Isla Fischer, who I love! Did anyone see Definitely, Maybe? She’s adorable.
Heidi, I feel ya about Becky’s character — the biggest problem with the self-realization in these books is that she doesn’t retain any of her life’s lessons in the next book. However, I do love me a good book about shopping!
I loved the first Shopaholic book, but I had issues with the subsequent books because, like you say, it was the same story with a different location, different shops, but Becky really hasn’t learned a thing.
xox
I don’t know if I am going to relate to this book…
I”ve read all of her books and I do think she is a good writer. But sometimes it’s just too unbelievable even for me and I’m an eternal optimist!
I completely agree! Those books are fluffy and addicting, but I always end up yelling at her the whole time I’m reading, “JUST STOP SHOPPING!” It’s pretty frustrating.
I agree. I love these books and read them for fun, but they’re sooo predictable and the whole time you’re like “no Becky, no!!” even though you know she’s going to anyway. Arghhh.
I heart the Shopaholic series and agree they are the same plot over and over with a new location, etc buuuut I think that makes it even more ridiculously funny – Becky will always be an incurable shopaholic, no matter what! I cannot wait for the movie to come out. I hope its just as hilarious as the books.