I must admit that I wasn’t that interested in the book at first–just another boring chick novel, I thought. I soon realized however, that this book is in a class of its own, way above everything else.

‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’is the first of three books in the series by Sophie Kinsella. It is certainly not your average stereotypical story centered around girl meets boy, girl falls in love with boy, boy dumps girl and girl cries herself to sleep. Instead, it is a book about how one can get a little over the top when it comes to shopping. In a way, it’s a book that only a girl could ever understand.

Some parts of the book made me chuckle, and there were times when I just could not contain my laughter (I was, of course, briskly ushered out of the mamak stall by two cranky old men). It is indeed true that Sophie Kinsella has not only created a totally unique storyline, she has also managed to inject so much humour into it that the reader never tires of the book.

As the story unfolds, we are introduced to the main character, Rebecca Bloomwood. Even when Rebecca isn’t in the midst of shopping, she’s thinking about it. Before, after and even during work, Becky, as she is otherwise called, rushes out to stores and comes back armed with shopping bags filled with goodies. Throughout the story, Rebecca tries hard to curb her appetite for shopping and to clear up her long overdue debts.

Oh yes, and she works as a journalist for a finance magazine (the irony!).

Rebecca and her best friend Suze live in an apartment in London. One of her many duties involve attending press conferences where she usually bumps into Luke Brandon, the director of a top insurance company in London, whom she absolutely despises.

In the end, Rebecca runs into Luke Brandon just one too many times until it comes to the point where Luke asks Rebecca out on a date. Yes, you guessed it, they fall madly in love and Rebecca becomes Luke’s girlfriend.

Somehow, the combination of the cute-yet-ever-so-naïve character of Rebecca Bloomwood and all the other bizarre characters in Confessions of a Shopaholic has created one fabulous story. Warning: This book is highly addictive.

Rating: ★★★★☆ -- Good