Have you heard? Becky Bloomwood is back!
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of Shopaholic to the Stars and I can say that this book is totally on par with the best of the Shopaholic books. It’s about time that Becky Bloomwood found her way to Hollywood! This latest installment is classic Kinsella filled with misunderstandings, mix-ups, and ridiculous situations that only Becky Bloomwood would find herself in. But there better be a follow-up coming out soon because there are some serious unanswered questions about that ending!
But this isn’t about the new Shopaholic book. I was reading Karen’s confession style post (which you can [and should] read here) when I realized that when it comes to Sophie Kinsella, I have a lot to say. I thought it might be fun to run some of that down for you guys.
1. Sophie Kinsella is the undisputed queen of Chick Lit. I am a staunch defender of the genre and there’s no one better at it than Kinsella. When she’s not entertaining us with stories of Becky Bloomwood or any of her other standalone heroines, she’s writing under her real name, Madeleine Wickham and those stories are also compulsively readable, full of hijinx and hilarous.
2. My favourite of her standalone novels has always been Can You Keep a Secret? Emma is a nervous flyer and on a flight home she regales her seat partner with all of her most embarassing secrets. Turns out he’s the new boss coming to inspect the UK division and he remembers her and all her secrets. You can imagine the hijinx that follow. I also love Twenties Girl about modern day Lara who ends up spending time with the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie. Sounds a little far-fetched but I remember it being loads of fun and kind of moving. And I’ve Got Your Number was really excellent too.
3. I thought that the Shopaholic series took a dive somewhere in the middle and I was concerned that either I’d outgrown the genre or Kinsella had exhausted the character. But then Mini Shopaholic (even Shopaholic and Baby was a massive improvement over the previous two books) really redeemed the series. And Shopaholic to the Stars is really very good.
4. The Shopaholic movie was a disaster but I wish that someone would adapt one of the standalone books. I’m fairly confident that The Undomestic Goddess, I’ve Got Your Number or Remember Me? would all make excellent movies.
5. I have read every one of Kinsella’s books and I probably always will. So keep ’em coming Sophie!
Shopaholic to the Stars is out in Canada today!
The Paperback Princess 
yes, yes, and yes. I don’t love all chick lit but I seriously love Sophie Kinsella. And apparently I was like the first person to put this book on hold at my library because it was a surprise for me today!
That’s the best surprise ever. This book has obviously fallen off the radar for your fellow library goers. Sophie Kinsella is just the best. She’s ridiculously funny.
I have only read a couple of the Shopaholic books, but I did really like Twenties Girl. And, it’s good to hear I wasn’t the only one who didn’t like the movie. I like reading Chick Lit when I am in a certain mood, but it has to be good! I would have to agree that Sophie Kinsella is one of the better chick lit writers. Why does she write under two different names, though? Who are some others you would recommend?
I’m actually not sure why she writes under two different names. Maybe it started out as a way to differentiate between the writer of the Shopaholic books and something different? Twenties Girl was an unexpected delight. I was incredibly stressed reading I’ve Got Your Number though. In a good way. Other chick lit writers: Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes, and/or Jane Fallon.
OMG I’m SO with you on the Shopaholic movie! HOW did they let that happen? 😦
I don’t know. It wasn’t even close and I wanted to like it so much.
I confess I haven’t read any of them but after reading your post I promise it will be on my bedside locker soon.
Awesome! I’m glad to hear it. They are really fun reads.