You Are Viewing Sophie Kinsella Week

We’ve put a lot of effort in putting together Sophie Kinsella week, and can’t quite believe it’s over already! We have had real fun reading all of the fantastic Shopaholic books again, and of course reviewing the brand new and fantastic title Mini Shopaholic, and being able to do exciting things like an interview with the lady herself of course!

During the week, we were actually contacted by Sophie’s publishers ourselves to thank us for putting together Sophie Kinsella well, and they actually included a little email from Sophie herself who has been enjoying our week dedicated to her, and so we wanted to share it with all of you too!

We hope you’ve all enjoyed Sophie Kinsella week as much as we have too!

“To all at ChickLit Reviews

I have never in my life had a week named after me, and I’m so honoured! I’m also bowled over by all the wonderful comments from everyone. Thank you!! It means so much to me to think my books have struck a chord and given people pleasure. I really hope you enjoy Mini Shopaholic - it was certainly a lot of fun to return to Becky

Once again, thank you so much - I really appreciate all your support.

love from Sophie x”

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true a shopping friend for life! But it s trickier than she thought two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping. She can create havoc everywhere from Harrods to Harvey Nicks to her own christening. She hires taxis at random, her favourite word is Mine , and she s even started bidding for designer bags on ebay. On top of everything else, there s a big financial crisis. People are having to Cut Back including all of Becky s personal shopping clients and she and Luke are still living with Becky s Mum and Dad. To cheer everyone up, Becky decides to throw a surprise birthday party on a budget but then things become really complicated. Who will end up on the naughty step, who will get a gold star and will Becky s secret wishes come true?

Leah: I did think that with the title of Mini Shopaholic that the book was going to be dedicated entirely to Becky and Minnie - and their shopping exploits of course - but that wasn’t the main plot at all. Minnie and her like of the word “mine” is prominent to the book but the book seems, to me, to be more focused on Becky wanting Luke to have a surprise party for his birthday after the year he’s had. There’s been no book between Shopaholic and Baby and Mini Shopaholic and there’s a gap of two years, so a lot has gone on in the intermittent time, but Becky explains it all to us and Luke - and Becky and Minnie - have had a heck of a time so Becky decides that Luke should, for once, celebrate his birthday and decides to organise a secret party. Because it’s Becky organising the party, things never go to plan and we’re with her all the way as she tries to arrange it all, so there’s the usual chaos which I just lapped up. Mini Shopaholic is as well-written as the other books, told entirely from Becky’s point of view, in a really easy chatty manner with letters interspersed throughout. Kinsella is such a fantastic writer, and manages to suck me in any time. She could write a book about paint and I’d love it. Mini Shopaholic has been well worth the wait and I managed to finish it pretty much in one sitting. The ending gives me hope for another Shopaholic book, whenever Kinsella decides to write it, so here’s hoping Becky Bloomwood will live to feature in another book! My life would be completely empty without her and I’m rather gutted I’ve actually finished Mini Shopaholic. I can’t wait to read it again soon! An absolute must-read for all Shopaholic fans!

Chloe: As soon as this book hit my doormat a while ago, I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait until now to read it so I quickly devoured it, and boy was it worth it! Mini Shopaholic is the first outing we’ve had from Becky, Luke and co. for a few years and Kinsella has chosen to keep to this time frame as well, meaning Becky’s daughter Minnie is now a precocious toddler rather than the baby we left Becky and Luke with at the end of ‘Shopaholic and Baby’, and therefore it makes for some quite hilarious reading! Minnie really is a mini Becky, already obsessed with nice things and getting her own way, and it leads to a lot of embarassing situations for poor Becky, quite a few of which mums all over will sympathise with too! The writing style is as great as ever allowing the reader to quickly and easily slip back into Becky’s world, and once you’re there, it’s like you never left! It’s another brilliant foray into this series, and I think ending definitely allows for Kinsella to bring back Becky and her family again if she so desires… let’s hope we’ll see Becky again soon!

So, you know why the fans love Sophie Kinsella, and you also know why the authors and publishers love Sophie Kinsella, but what about the crew here at Chick Lit Reviews? Good news, you’re about to find out exactly what it is about this author that inspired us to dedicate an entire week to her! So here goes…

Leah: I love Sophie Kinsella for the simple fact that she writes the stories I want to read. Consistently. She has written 10 books and I have absolutely loved every single one of them. I admire her for managing to write six books featuring everyone’s favourite Shopaholic Becky Bloomwood and have the books still be as fresh now as when the first book was released. I admire her for taking the plunge with her latest stand-alone novel Twenties Girl and writing about ghosts. Not many Chick Lit writers would write a ghost story but Sophie Kinsella not only did that but she pulled it off spectacularly. Sophie could write a book about paint drying and it would still be witty and hilarious and fantastic - she is that good. All of her female characters are warm and relate-able and all of her leading men are always the type of men people dream of marrying. A lot of people debate over who the Queen of Chick Lit is, but for me it will always be Sophie Kinsella. There is nobody else whose books excite me in the way the thought of a new Kinsella does.

Chloe: Other authors may try to imitate the great Sophie Kinsella’s writing style, but no one has ever managed it, and THAT is why I love Sophie Kinsella’s books. They are unique, no other books allow me to laugh out loud like the Shopaholic series, and Becky is one of my favourite Chick Lit characters of all time. I do enjoy Kinsella’s stand alone novels but for me they aren’t a patch on the Shopaholic series, although I did love Twenties Girl, I do have to admit. The fact her books appeal across the age ranges, and across the world says a lot about the appeal of her books, and the amazing comments we’ve had from all our readers about the books show just how much they are loved. If I had to recommend a good starting point for a newcomer into reading chick lit, I would certainly recommend they start with a Sophie Kinsella novel, she’s inimitable, and I hope Sophie Kinsella week has shown exactly how popular her and her books are.

I was browsing the BBC website today and saw that Sophie Kinsella was interviewed on BBC Breakfast this morning to celebrate the release of her new book Mini Shopaholic which hits bookshops today. It’s a great interview with Sophie about how she thought ‘Shopaholic Ties The Knot’ was her last Becky Bloomwood book… thank goodness she decided to write more! Let us know what you think of the interview!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11163927

Becky’s life is blooming! She’s working at London’s newest fashion store The Look, house-hunting with husband Luke (her secret wish is a Shoe Room)…and she’s pregnant! She couldn’t be more overjoyed - especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery…to the latest, coolest pram…to the celebrity, must-have obstetrician. But when the celebrity obstetrician turns out to be her husband Luke’s glamorous, intellectual ex-girlfriend, Becky’s perfect world starts to crumble. She’s shopping for two…but are there three in her marriage!

Leah: I’m fairly sure that all of my reviews of the Shopaholic series are starting to sound a bit same-y. Generally because I keep going on and on and on about how much I love the series, and Becky, and Sophie Kinsella… I think you get the point. Now, after having read the first five books, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is my favourite series period. I could probably write a degree of the Shopaholic series. It wouldn’t do me much good, but that is how much I love it. I always remember little tidbits from the books and Shopaholic and Baby is responsible for one of the most hilarious quotes ever. I’m not going to tell you it, but once you read it you’ll understand and probably love it (unless you’re a red-head). I found the entire book funnier than the previous one, although they do all make me laugh out loud most of the time! It leads us perfectly into the next Shopaholic book.

Chloe: I adored this book. When I found out Sophie Kinsella was going to make Becky Bloomwood a mother, I knew it would be a hoot right from the off because the idea of Becky as a mum was hilarious! I loved Becky and Luke house-hunting because it was really funny, and what girl wouldn’t love a shoe room… for once I agreed with Becky! The hilarious storyline with Becky, her celebrity obstetrician who happens to be Luke’s ex-girlfriend is simply comedy genius, and I was laughing out loud throughout the whole book, right up until the end. This has to be one of my favourite books in the Shopaholic series, and is simply brilliant. I loved it!

Because Sophie’s novels are set primarily in Britain or at least have a “British-feel” to them we thought it would be great to ask our American readers why they love Sophie Kinsella. Surprising or not, many of our American readers felt just as strongly about her as our International readers. Have a look at what they thought!

“Sophie Kinsella’s books are escapism pure and true. Romance, wit and humor fill the pages and allow the reader to step outside their busy life to experience the quirk and fun.” - Michelle from Galleysmith

“Kinsella’s books are escapist fun but at their core is a big beating heart. Becky Bloomwood’s penchant for getting into trouble often stems from misguided or overly ambitious attempts to do something nice for someone. She’s flawed like most of us but has found a prince in Luke, someone who loves her, quirks and all, making Becky the perfect fantasy figure.” - Elyse from Pop Culture Nerd

“”Likes them because they are true to life.
“The ‘reality’ infused in the stories…especially her work life. Becky is herself no matter where she goes. She doesn’t change her true self for where she is or the time of day or for who she’s with.
“It shows the working world the way it is….phone calls on business time, nosey cubicle neighbors, stressed out coworkers with baggage from home; it gives the naked truth about people….making the characters relateable to all readers. They make you laugh in spite of yourself or at your self depending on the situation.” - Barbara, mom to Gina from Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Becky thought being married to Luke Brandon would be one big Tiffany box of happiness. But to be honest, it’s not quite as dreamy as she’d hoped. The trouble started on honeymoon, when she told Luke the tiniest little fib, about the teeniest little purchase. Now she’s on a strict budget, she doesn’t have a job - and worst of all her beloved Suze has a new best friend. Then she receives some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister! Becky has never been more excited. Finally, a real sister! They’ll have so much in common! They can go shopping together…choose shoes together…have manicures together…Until she meets her - and gets the shock of her life. It can’t be true. Surely Becky Bloomwood’s long-lost sister can’t…hate shopping? A sister, a soulmate, a skinflint?

Leah: I suppose you can guess from the title that the books revolve around someone who likes to shop and while that is a huge focus on the first two books, it isn’t as in your face with the next two. Shopaholic Ties The Knot was mainly focused on Becky’s wedding to Luke and this one, Shopaholic & Sister, is focused on Becky’s new-found, long-lost sister Jess and the relationship she envisages the pair of them having. Yes, there’s still a lot of shopping to be done, but nowhere near as close as the shopping she does in the first two books. Obviously it would get a bit boring if Becky continually fought debt problems so these new problems and struggles make a welcome change. The letters from banks and shops and what-not are still interspersed between chapters (and are as hilarious as ever). I could wax lyrical for hours and hours about how fantastic Sophie Kinsella is. I mean, four books in and the books aren’t tired or getting boring, they haven’t jumped the shark in anyway. It’s a series like I’ve never read before. Not many books could get to the fourth book and still be fantastic and enjoyable reads.

Chloe: I hate to start off on a negative, but this is my least favourite book in the whole series. I felt that Becky having a surprise sister was one surprise too far for the books really, and I felt that Jess just didn’t fit in with the feel of the books, and so I had pretty much set my mind to disliking it unfortunately! Yes, there are things from the old books such as letters and Becky’s problems that are just as funny as before, but I remember reading it for the first time, and having to force myself to pick it up again which is unheard of with me and a Sophie Kinsella book. I’d happily re-read all of the series up to this and after it, but I am pretty sure I won’t be reading this one again, sorry!

Danielle: Truly, what could be better than Becky with a sister? You’d think it would be twice as much fun, but much to Becky’s dismay her sister is nothing like her and their relationship may be less than ideal. This was really a fun one in the series, because there were things I could reflect back on with my relationships with my own sisters. Granted, I think my sisters are quite a bit more like me than Becky and Jess, but it was still incredibly fun. I’m right there with Leah in saying that Sophie Kinsella is fantastic. Though I enjoyed this one in the series, it wasn’t my favorite (so far that would be the first book), but I still couldn’t manage to put it down. And how many books have that ability? Let alone, an entire series?

I’m rather pleased to report that we managed to secure an incredible exclusive for our Sophie Kinsella week: we are, as far as I am aware, the first Chick Lit website to interview the lovely Sophie Kinsella. It’s a huge draw for us and she is the one author I have always wanted to interview since beginning the site! Enjoy!

1. Tell us about Mini Shopaholic, in your own words?

Becky is a parent now - which has added a new dimension to her life. Of course she approaches parenthood with her own Becky-logic. (Minnie’s pocket money book being a classic!) It was great fun creating Minnie, who definitely has both Becky-traits and Luke-traits in her. I also loved writing Becky being forced to Cut Back by the financial crisis - it reminded me of the first book, when we first met her. She has had some glamorous adventures abroad, but in this book she is forced to live with her parents in Oxshott and be inventive with no money, which is always when she is at her funniest. There’s also a poignancy to this book, and mother-daughter issues across all the generations.

2. Are you currently working on a new book? Will it be another Shopaholic book or a stand-alone?

I’m on maternity leave at the moment but am thinking about a new book, and it will be a stand-alone.

(more…)