Confessions of a Bookaholic

Originally posted on 24th Jan 2006

Probably the only New Year resolution that stands a good chance of being kept up is my resolution to read more books. Good thing, I didn't specify what kind of books!

I cannot really count the Shopaholic books among the quality books I've read this year... just like I wouldn't count 'Seinfeld' or 'Everybody loves Raymond' as quality TV. That didn't stop me from enjoying the books though. The books have the same addictive quality as the sitcoms - good narration that requires little effort on part of the reader/viewer to understand what is going on, an interesting storyline that holds one's attention and they are extremely funny! No wonder I took less than a week to finish reading 3 Shopaholic books and have placed a hold in my library for the 4th (Never mind the list I'd made earlier this month).

When I started reading the first book, I felt like I was reading yet another Bridget Jones book. The heroine is British, somewhat flutter brained and even has a handsome, serious and successful boyfriend. While this may be true of the essence, the actual plot differs considerably. For starters, Becky Bloomwood does seem to have more of a head on her shoulders than Bridget while being just as adorable. She does seem to fix the messes she finds herself in, instead of relying purely on circumstances to do it for her (although circumstances DO cooperate in a nice way as well). The heroine is not really allowed to get away with her excesses completely, well except maybe in the 3rd book.

Above all, just as I could empathize with Bridget's drawer full of knotty pantyhose, so I can empathize with Becky's wild justifications on spending money. After all, I did fill my apartment with tons of candles, loads of cosmetics (most of which I never used), cushions, candle stands, books and a whole lot of other things, during my days of singledom. I didn't run into debt like Becky, but I didn't save anything either... Now that I have a husband who theoretically holds me in check, things are somewhat improved. I still fantasize about winning the lottery and spending it all at Pier1 though. ;-)

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely if you're a woman (or a man who likes chick-lit), love to read humour and/or love to shop.