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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I remember reading this series (or at least the first 3-4) in HS and finding it laugh out loud funny and delightful. Almost 20 years later, my perspective has shifted somewhat. I still find our MC to be delightful in her absolute messiness. I love a flawed character.
For adult me, Becky's anxious thought spirals--resulting in elaborate daydreaming and ignoring of real problems--while she made some genuine efforts to change which were obviously doomed to fail from the start, were shockingly (hashtag) relatable. It's hard not to be charmed by her despite her flaws. To respect her unflagging optimism and commitment to believing anything is possible despite constantly being proved otherwise. Delusional? Yes. But also charming, and sympathetic? Yes. I feel like more of us than we'd like to admit, in the face of a thousands of dollars in debt and threatening letters and phone calls from creditors would also go the escapist route out of sheer panic. At least in the short term. Especially without someone grounding and helpful. Although most of us may be a tad more self-aware than our dear Becky was.
But what made this book especially special to adult me was that her transformation toward the end felt so genuine and real. She did something smart and brave which lifted her self-esteem, and as a result set her on a small journey of self-improvement, even as it was clear her shopaholic ways were not at an end. It felt a satisfying and realistic conclusion to this volume, and I'm definitely inclined to keep re-reading.
For adult me, Becky's anxious thought spirals--resulting in elaborate daydreaming and ignoring of real problems--while she made some genuine efforts to change which were obviously doomed to fail from the start, were shockingly (hashtag) relatable. It's hard not to be charmed by her despite her flaws. To respect her unflagging optimism and commitment to believing anything is possible despite constantly being proved otherwise. Delusional? Yes. But also charming, and sympathetic? Yes. I feel like more of us than we'd like to admit, in the face of a thousands of dollars in debt and threatening letters and phone calls from creditors would also go the escapist route out of sheer panic. At least in the short term. Especially without someone grounding and helpful. Although most of us may be a tad more self-aware than our dear Becky was.
But what made this book especially special to adult me was that her transformation toward the end felt so genuine and real. She did something smart and brave which lifted her self-esteem, and as a result set her on a small journey of self-improvement, even as it was clear her shopaholic ways were not at an end. It felt a satisfying and realistic conclusion to this volume, and I'm definitely inclined to keep re-reading.
I can't. Haven't picked this book up in months and every time I think about going to, I always talk myself out of it because I hate the main character so much. I don't think this is for me. I tried.
When I started this book, I kind of hated it. But, it was the only thing I had brought to the lake and so I trudged on through the itemized lists and compulsive shopping. And what do you know, Becky grew on me. Once she matured a bit I actually found myself relating to her in small ways.
All in all this isn't a groundbreaking work of fiction but I don't regret picking up 2 more in the series at Goodwill. They'll be nice beach reads.
All in all this isn't a groundbreaking work of fiction but I don't regret picking up 2 more in the series at Goodwill. They'll be nice beach reads.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was cute and sometimes funny, but mostly boring and predictable. I do love British chick lit, but it just didn't do anything different or interesting.
Such fun brain candy, even if you kind of want to hate the main character most of the time.
Fun, light, easy read. There are underlying serious themes, of course, such as addiction, but this is dealt with in a light-hearted, easy-to-digest manner. I expected more from this book knowing that there was a popular film too (which I haven't seen), but despite a few laugh-out-loud moments, I wasn't left wanting more. It's unlikely that I will be picking up any more books in the series.
I think I read this book in the past but after finishing and enjoying the Christmas Shopaholic I decided to go back and read this one and will likely read the rest in the series. I really enjoy the main character Becky and her crazy antics and I think I connect with her as I am also a Shopaholic
