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Product Description

Millions of readers have come to adore New York Times best-selling author Sophie Kinsella¡¯s irrepressible heroine. Meet Becky Bloomwood, America¡¯s favorite shopaholic¡ªa young woman with a big heart, big dreams¡­and just one little weakness.

Becky has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it¡ªnot any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from the bank¡ªletters with large red sums she can't bear to read¡ªand they're getting ever harder to ignore.

She tries cutting back. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life¡ªand the lives of those around her¡ªforever.

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times¡ªand a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.

If you've ever paid off one credit card with another, thrown out a bill before opening it, or convinced yourself that buying at a two-for-one sale is like making money, then this silly, appealing novel is for you. In the opening pages of Confessions of a Shopaholic, recent college graduate Rebecca Bloomwood is offered a hefty line of credit by a London bank. Within a few months, Sophie Kinsella's heroine has exceeded the limits of this generous offer, and begins furtively to scan her credit-card bills at work, certain that she couldn't have spent the reported sums.

In theory anyway, the world of finance shouldn't be a mystery to Rebecca, since she writes for a magazine called Successful Saving. Struggling with her spendthrift impulses, she tries to heed the advice of an expert and appreciate life's cheaper pleasures: parks, museums, and so forth. Yet her first Saturday at the Victoria and Albert Museum strikes her as a waste. Why? There's not a price tag in sight.

It kind of takes the fun out of it, doesn't it? You wander round, just looking at things, and it all gets a bit boring after a while. Whereas if they put price tags on, you'd be far more interested. In fact, I think all museums should put prices on their exhibits. You'd look at a silver chalice or a marble statue or the Mona Lisa or whatever, and admire it for its beauty and historical importance and everything--and then you'd reach for the price tag and gasp, "Hey, look how much this one is!" It would really liven things up.

Customer Reviews:

• There are better ones from Kinsella
  After reading "the Undomestic Goddess" and "Can you keep a secret?" which are some of the later books of Kinsella I thought I'll just give the book that shoot her to fame a try. I must admit that the title had put me off for quite some time because it just sounded so silly. But I thought that maybe that was just the title. Well, the book is kind of silly at a whole. I know these chic lit books don't set out to use symbolism or to deal with political issues, their humble goal seems to be to entertain us readers and most of the time they do. But I believe there is a very fine line when funny and chic becomes ridiculous and over the top. While the later books of Kinsella seem to stay on the right side of that line this one doesn't.
  
  Don't get me wrong, this book will make laugh sometimes and it definitely has a few moments but the shopping and stupidity of Becky, the main character is excessive and boring. Where the main characters of the later books of Kinsella didn't have their life in order in a fun way, Becky just comes off as dumb and hard to sympathize with.
  
  This is an ok book that might keep you slightly humored but the later books of Kinsella are much better and I would recommend them before this one.
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• Made me want to shop!
  Although Becky is a completely neurotic ditzy character, she's actually quite charming and good at math. In fact, she annoyed me at first but grew on me midway. I started really liking her. She reminds me of a modern young Lucy from "I Love Lucy". Every situation and thought process is a perfect recipe for disaster and quite hilarious. I found myself chuckling and giggling out loud in public several times, just couldn't help it. Sophie Kinsella has a knack for writing sitcom. Although this book is ficiton, I found it to be a little bit of a self-help book. I think many people can relate to Becky's addiction in minor and major ways. I did, and glad to see that she pulled out of her situation by becoming self-made. Cute, witty, and fun to read...I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series about Ms. Bloomwood. ...more info
• stupid book
  Sorry I bought this book. It's not worth the time reading. Quit 1/2 way thro it. The character is so stupid, and irresponsible. I like like-hearted books, but not this one....more info
• Fun Read!
  This was quite entertaining! A silly way to spend the morning. But, it was fun. I was surprised that the central romance unwound so slowly! It took nearly the entire novel!! And I am very curious about how this one book was expanded into a five book series! Not to mention the film... from the previews it doesn't seem like it is that tight of an adaptation. Still, I am curious about the other four books, as well as the movie!...more info
• Don't Panic ! It is just a visa bill ..A very Large scary bill
  Rebecca Bloomwood, is a 25 year Financial journalist,whose boss seems to appreciate her exuberant personality and often sends her to cover important press conferences all over London.
  She also rubs shoulders with the most fabulous A - list friends, living in this spectacular flat in London's trendiest neighborhood (Her boss would kill to live in her building,But HE can't afford it.)Her blue collar parents are so proud that she is done so well for herself, Her friends and colleagues are green with envy.
  Oh, If they only knew.
  The only problem is her so called life is nothing more than one big fat sham.
  Although she loves her job, she doesn't really make all that much, and her friends are all buying houses and getting married and moving up in the world.
  Poor Becky can't even get her current boyfriend to have sex with her, no matter what she does to try to pique his interests.
  She is literally wallowing in debt trying to keep up with all of her friends( who can truly afford this lifestyle) To top it all off,Rebecca is stalked by creditors night and day, and is terrified of answering the phone.
  Sometimes when she has had a really bad day, she dumps all the mail that looks like bills into the sewer drain or someone else's dumpster and forgets all about it.
  
  Whenever she gets down about all these things, she goes shopping.
  For clothes mostly, and what a wardrobe she has. I listened to the book on tape and that was half the fun of this book, hearing the narrator bring life to the high fashion designer clothes Becky buys and her rationalizations on why she needs them.
  
  My favorite scene in the book is where Becky falls in love, with a silk blue scarf with this enormous price tag that she just can't live without. She can't find her credit card and she is completely broke so she begs people at the financial conference she is covering for money under the pretense that she has a sick Aunt Ermentrude dying in the hospital who just has to have this scarf.
  
  One of the speakers at the conference, a very successful Financier,by the name of Luke, overhears all this and gives her the money for it. Becky is so happy until she runs into him and she is wearing Aunt Ermentrude's scarf.
  I adore this book, because I think a lot of people can relate to Becky's want to fit in,even it means ruining your credit for years ,and even decades to come.
  A lot of people on here classify her as an idiot.
  I thought she was a very charming ,smart young woman ,who turns into huge little girl whenever she happens to end up in the mall.( I don't quite get this way with clothes, but put me in a good restaurant or a bookstore and I am a goner.)The only really bad thing I can say is Sofia Kinsella writes in British English. What I mean by this is ,she uses a lot of English slang . She also writes everything in English currency,which makes it hard to understand if your aren't from Great Britian.
  Here are a couple of basic definitions
  pound is a dollar and fifty cents
  quid is slang for a dollar,
  loo is the toilet
  p----d means drunk
  Knackered means exhausted
  
  If you really like stories with happy endings and lots of belly laughs and silly heroine,please give it a try....more info
• Really good. Worth it to read.
  Its really good. haven't see the movie. but hopefully it so good like that book. Its easy to read and has a really nice ending....more info
• Just wasn't feeling it
  I had to force myself to keep reading. I might have made it to the 100th page and gave up. The movie looks like it is going to be better....more info
• Slapstick
  The main character, Sophie Kinse-- I mean Becky Bloomwood, is so blooming ridiculous, you will likely find it humorous unless you are too extremely put off by the immature and naive behavior. Kinsella puts together a verbal slapstick comedy, where the punchline is not physical violence but feminine vapidity.
  
  The point is not to have sophisticated supporting characters or profound prose-- or a realistic plot, but just an escape and a jolly good time with a character that young women can apparently both identify with and look down on at the same time....more info
• Quick Fun Read, Very addicting!!!
  I got the Kindle 2 and this was the first book I read on it. I was hooked after reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. It was easy to read, funny and just very cute. I definitely recommend this book to the ladies who want a good laugh and to forget about everything else. Enjoy! I know I sure did. I read the whole series in a month because I was so addicted. ...more info
• laugh out loud - feel like i know becky bloomwood!
  I LOVE this book and the other books in the series.
  I felt like I knew Becky!...more info
• very disappointing
  I am very disappointed by this book, especially since it was supposedly so good as to be made into a movie. The character is extremely unlikeable, not only do her actions ruin her own life but they hurt other people's too. Like the issue with her parents neighbors, which I find irresponsible and disrespectful. It reminds me of those movies where you cringe watching the main character make a complete fool of themself because you can see it coming a mile away. She's one major disaster after another. I'm about 3/4ths of the way done and just put it down because it was so depressing, but since I have it I'm finishing with the hopes this girl gets a clue and the book gets much better!!...more info
• soo adorable
  i could not put this book down. it was so much fun and i was laughing all the way through. definitely one of my favorites. read it....more info
• Sophie Kinsella's "Confessions...."
  This was the first book by Sophie Kinsella that I read and I got a kick out of it. This book is comical and not meant to be taken seriously. Kinsella's writing style is delightful and smooth.
  
  The book is basically about a girl (Rebecca) living in London, and all her hillarious experiences that she weave in and out of her life. Rebecca is a "flighty" gal, but as time passes, she learns a few lessons about herself and about life.
  
  I have not seen the movie and I'm not sure that I will, for fear that the movie might ruin my visions of Rebecca and all the other characters in this book (eg: her boyfriend, her flat-mate, her roommate's cousins, etc). In fact, I've heard that the movie is not as good as the book. Therefore I would advise to read this book first and then determine if the movie warrants a viewing.
  
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• Fun, Fun, Fun
  What can I say.. its a girly book with everyting in it to make it an enjoyable read:)...more info
• Great book, but totally not like the movie
  I read the book before the movie came out and absolutely loved it! The only reason I give it 2 stars is that being this book is a "movie tie-in" makes may lead people to believe that this book is like the movie. Well, it's not.
  
  If you want a fun read, this is a great book. If you read the book and expect the same story line from the movie or vice versa, you'll be greatly disappointed. The book and the movie, kept separate, are each very entertaining. Tied in? No....more info
• A shopaholic loved it!!!
  I bought this book on my way to a beach vacation when I was looking for a no-brainer! It kept me busy on the beach while my kids played in the sun. The author has portrayed the character of Rebecca Bloomwood very well. I myself am a big shopaholic like Rebecca minus the debts...thank God I know to live in my means.
  I watched the movie too, but was not as impressed with it, still worth it if you absolutely loved the book and want to meet with the characters!...more info
• Funny, relatable, and heart warming
  Rebecca Bloomwood is an extremely relatable character. From her impulse shopping to her on-the-spot fibs, Rebecca sends the reader (or at least me) in to fits of laughter....more info
• Irritating protagonist...
  I bought this book because it seemed like a topic I would enjoy. Instead, I could barely finish this book out of sheer irritation.
  
  Normally, when I find a book I like, I cannot stop reading. The world comes to an abrupt halt. I can usually finish the book withing a day!
  
  With this particular book, I kept slamming the book down time after time whenever Rebecca did something stupid. This character has no morals and no redeeming characteristics. It took me over a month to finish reading it, and this was only after I forced myself. Don't waste your time or money unless you like reading about selfish, self centered liars as main characters. ...more info
• Great read
  I absolutely fell in love with the main character. The book was funny and I couldn't put it down. When I finished it was on to the next in the series. I love Sophie Kinsella, a great series....more info
• Pathetic Moron=Novel's Hero?
  This book is so horrible and it is incredibly insulting because Becca, the protagonist, is this complete idiot throughout the entire story. She is dumb, lazy, inept, and has no integrity. As her world is deservedly spinning out of control the consequences of her stupidity are catching up to her. Hooray, I thought, this imbecile is finally going to have to face reality. But no, instead the author makes her into some sort of admirable hero, as if being financially retarded and a complete liar should be paid off with television premiers and a cute man. I could feel my IQ plummeting as Ms. Kinsella insulted all of woman-kind by writing a book where the main character is spineless and contemptible and then perseveres with absolutely no talent or ingenuity of her own. Blah! This is what I have heard disgustedly called "Chic Lit." as it is a novel written for stupid women all about shopping and being trendy. Truly distasteful!...more info
• Fun book!
  I really enjoyed this book; it was laugh out loud funny! I can definitely relate to the guilt that comes from overspending and dreading/avoiding bills. It was great book and a very quick read. I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of the shopaholic books!...more info
• I am now a fan
  I read this book on the recomendation of a friend, and I am VERY glad that I did! I laughed out loud! No matter what kind of books you read...i love historical romance...this is a book for everyone. I love flawed characters, and Rebecca really is flawed! all I can say is happy reading!...more info