Rating: 
Summary: Brain Candy
Review: Sometimes you just don't feel like reading anything too in depth, and this kind of book is just the right dose of fun and fluff you need. It's like candy for your brain. This book was great to read on the airplane because it doesn't require too much effort, it's simple and very entertaining.
But what I found annoying was how far Sophie Kinsella seemed to push the character beyond reality. It's one thing to make a mistake again, i.e. get in credit trouble for a second time (from what I understand, it's not that uncommon), but the fact that Becky Bloomwood seems to have no sense of reality whatsoever. I can understand how humans have the need to rationalize their actions (sometimes unreasonably so) as she convinces herself she really "needs" all those material goods. But what I found annoying was her naivete, a naiveness that seemed to push the boundaries of common sense, especially for someone who is obviously intelligent enough to have a slot on television providing financial advice.
It was cute and funny how spunky she is, and her refreshing kind of personality was rather endearing. But how does a relationship such as her and Luke's make it on such poor communication? It was like he was in his own little world and she was in her own little world, and the only time they seemed to get together was when they would have a social engagement out. There didn't seem to be any real emotional or intellectual bond.
Anyways, this was a cute and fluffy book. That's all.
Rating: 
Summary: LOVED IT!
Review: I loved this book! I read the first Shopaholic and liked it, but I think this one is even better! It was so funny. I think Kelly Rippa should pick the Shopaholic books for her next book club pick!
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Disappointment
Review: I really, really loved the original book. I'm totally a shopaholic, and I could totally relate to Becky's plight. It was honestly the funniest book I've ever read. Needless to say I couldn't wait to read this sequel, my hopes were so high. However, I didn't enjoy this book at all. Becky seems to have lost a lot of her spunk, and honestly her character just depressed me in this sequel. Funny moments in this book were few and far between......I don't know. It wasn't horribly bad, it was just sort of pointless. I felt as though this book was a waste of my time.
Rating:
Summary: superior to the original
Review: I read it in one go! Given that she captured rich prince charming and landed the plum debt paying job thereby solving her problems in the first novel it was acceptable to read this book and find her being wooed by American television producers with a gaggle of rich friends courtesy of her rich roommate who went to a school which taught her to pack outfits for expected events. It was also a pleasant surprise to find her back in debt beyond her eyeballs WITHOUT a sympathetic account manager. I actually laughed and laughed at this one. Given that the first book made the action of this book plausible I simply enjoyed the plot and did not look for plot holes. I didn't actually like the first book much- didn't care for the character, her shopaholicism, her luck in capturing rich prince charming, winding up on television, even her original job.
I enjoyed the characters reactions to New York -"My people" her love for the energy, the frenetic pace, well, the shopping. I am a shopaholic of a different sort , I do not recognize the names and labels and designers the author describes, but the passion is there, the character in this book, unlike the previous book, is quite charming and likeable. I especially like her ultimate job and the way in which she assists her roommate's career which is actually obvious even though the two characters don't seem to think it is. It is an amusing and entertaining book. I did in fact stay up all night reading it in one go, resulting in a massive headache the next day. I am loathe to return it to the library as I keep returning to favorite little passages to giggle over. I find it hard to believe since I disliked the original book so much. I can't say why this appealed to me, it just did. I think it was the downplaying of the romance with Luke and the up playing of the romance with New York that made the book for me- that and the passage about her shoe collection. I am not a shoe collector. I do not shop for shoes. I relished the idea of the character setting her shoe collection on the bed and photographing it because she loved them and you know, she had photos of all kinds of people she didn't even know or like and she loved her shoes. That's brilliant. The description of her choice of sandals is good too. I don't care about sandals but she made me fall in love with clementine sandals. Read this book so you can get a little fetishistic about shoes.
Rating:
Summary: FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY!
Review: There are so many things that I want to rave about with this book! If you read and liekd the first one, this one is even better. I love books like this, funny and simple, yet flirty and fun! It was SUCH a great read, I was upset when it was over. I recommend it to anyone that likes to shop ;)
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious character that any girl can relate to!
Review: This is a wonderful book to plop down on the couch with. It's a fun laugh and cry book. I could totally feel for her and what she was thinking. I enjoyed this book more than the first. Becky is the perfect example of the female population who likes to shop, although I think she lucked out a little bit more in the end than the rest of us would have. This book will probably have you laughing out loud and cringing as the shopping sprees(and the bills) increase throughout the story. Becky is the first character I could completely relate to(and I wasn't even going to buy the book for *ahem* financial reasons, it's definately worth it :P). I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Annoying Becky gets bailed out...again!
Review: The first time it was funny, the second time it was annoying. I was really disappointed by this sequel. I really enjoyed the first book, so I was really looking forward to reading the second. Unfortunately, Becky is so annoying and so stupid in this one that when I reread the first book after finishing "Manhattan", I found I liked it less. Not only does Becky not learn, but she lies constantly, and comes up with excuses and justifications that wouldn't satisfy your best friend, let alone your bank manager. The 'Cinderella' ending at the end made me want to throw the book across the room. I hope the third one is better!
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile
Review: Though somewhat silly and at times ridiculous, the Shopaholic books are worth reading. They proved to be a great escape after work and on the weekend. I found myself telling friends they had to read the books (a comment many had already heard from others)!
Rating:
Summary: Cha-ching
Review: This book was money! I really liked the first one and I enjoyed the second one even more. There is so much humor within the pages that one can't help but smile. Kinsella has a great style that allows the reader to keep the pages turning. She has created a memorable character that needs to meet the silver screen. I could see this book (along with her first) eventually hitting theaters everywhere! For a sweet, entertaining, silly, fun and upbeat read...pick up a copy!
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This book is funny and well written. Becky, though slightly ditzy, is a good story teller and just thinks up the most hilarious things. For example, as an attempt to save money she plans out a budget and then figures that she has enough for one pair of lilac sandels. She goes into the store, buys them, and then sits down for a cup of coffee. She daydreams about another pair of sandels she wants, gorgeaous tangerine ones. When she sees a woman walking by smoking and Becky thinks, "Wow, imagine all the money I'm saving by not smoking!! I could use the hundreds of pounds I've saved to buy me those sandals!" OK so when I say it it's not that funny, but when you read the book it will be. Great, light, easy and fun beach-blanket reading.
|
