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Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (2000)




















Authored by Sophie Kinsella (Madeleina Wickham)
Alternative title: Confessions of a Shopaholic
Original language: English
Genre: Chick-lit/Comedy/Romance
319 pages



Just watched the movie a few months ago, then went to bookstore looking for this. But somehow, I love the book better :)
This book as absolutely funny, light, and creative. I love the part when she tries to hide her debt collector and says that he's stalking on her, and when she wants to buy the Denny & George scarf but she needs twenty pounds more, she asks her friend but no use, then Luke Brandon hears it and stops the whole Press Conference just so he can give her twenty pounds because she has made up a story about she needs the money to buy a present for her sick aunt.

"The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic" is the first book in the Shopaholic series. The story is about Rebecca Bloomwood, a journalist, who is addicted to shopping and has a serious amount of debt because of her addiction.

The blurb~
From Publishers Weekly
Add this aptly titled piffle to the ranks of pink-covered girl-centric fiction that has come sailing out of England over the last two years. At age 25, Rebecca Bloomwood has everything she wants. Or does she? Can her career as a financial journalist, a fab flat and a closet full of designer clothes lessen the blow of the dunning letters from credit card companies and banks that have been arriving too quickly to be contained by the drawer in which Rebecca hides them? Although her romantic entanglements tend toward the superficial, there is that wonderful Luke Brandon of Brandon Communications: handsome, intelligent, the 31st-richest bachelor according to Harper's and actually possessed of a personality that is more substance than style. Too bad that Rebecca blows it whenever their paths cross. Will Rebecca learn to stop shopping before she loses everything worthwhile? When faced with the opportunity to do good for others and impress Luke, will she finally measure up? Rebecca is so unremittingly shallow and Luke is so wonderful that readers may find themselves rooting for the heroine not to get the man although, since Shakespeare's time, there's rarely been any doubt concerning how romantic comedies will end. There's a certain degree of madcap fun with some of Rebecca's creative untruths; when she persuades her parents that a bank manager is a stalker, some very amusing situations ensue. Still, this is familiar stuff, and Rebecca is the kind of unrepentant spender who will make readers, save those who share her disorder in the worst way, pity the poor bill collector. (Feb. 13) Forecast: This is a well-designed book, with a catchy magenta spine, and a colorful and kinetic double cover which will attract many browsers. Major ad/promo, including national NPR sponsorships, will enhance sales, despite the novel's flaws.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
The book is followed by "Shopaholic Abroad" (2002)

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Ghost (2007)



Authored by Robert Harris
Alternative title: The Ghost Writer
Original language: English
Original country: United Kingdom
Genre: Thriller
352 pages


I was strolling around at a bookstore and looking for novels, still trying to find The Nearest Exit. Somehow, I accidentally found this book on the dusty self on the top haha.. I read the blurb, the book seems interesting. I started to read it and so far I'm going to say "Oh, dear! It's true" Many people say it has such a great ending. Don't want to spoil :D

The blurb~
Adam Lang, the recently ex British Prime Minister, is writing his autobiography. There is just one small problem, his ghost writer was just found dead and the publishing deadline is fast approaching. A new ghost is quickly drafted in and gets to work finishing the book. Unfortunately he keeps find discrepancies between archive material and Adam Lang's accounts of his past. As he investigates he suddenly finds himself in a whole world of trouble with no idea who to trust.

Review from Bookmarks Magazine~

Known for Fatherland (1992), Pompeii (**** Selection Mar/Apr 2004), and Imperium (*** Jan/Feb 2007), novelist Robert Harris opens his latest work with a derisive account of the publishing business. From there, it quickly gains momentum, merging a shrewd indictment of the war in Iraq with a literate, page-turning thriller. Harris, who was once a friend of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, offers a withering, barely disguised attack on Blair’s policies and his collusion with the United States in the Middle East. Some critics felt that the fictional backdrop weakened the political invective. Other complaints included some stock characters, formulaic plot points, and far-fetched twists, but most critics dismissed these as trivial and agreed with USA Today that Harris has produced "one of the most politically informed novels of the year."
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.


This book was adapted into a movie called The Ghost Writer in 2010 with Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan starred in it XD



Friday, September 16, 2011

From Paris to Eternity (2010)




















Authored by Clio Freya
Language: Bahasa/ Indonesian
Genre: Teenlit/ Teen fiction/ Adventure
360 pages

Long time no write on this blog. I was trying to write a story about an accidental spy, but somehow it didn't work out up until now.. How silly I am! *curcol dah*

Well, now I'm going to share about my last read, I'm still reading it actually. It's called "From Paris to Eternity", this book is the continuation of "Eiffel, Tolong!"

It's still about Regina Fay Wiranata, after completing the task from Andrew McGallaghan and being an accidental spy, she goes back to Indonesia, as a normal high school students.
Fay almost sure that her life is normal as usual. Then one day, she gets another surprise that will inevitably drag her back to the events in Paris, she becomes the winner of French writing contest with a prize for one week short course in Paris which is never followed by her. For her surprise,the letter comes from Institute de Paris which is a cover of her abduction last year, Fay knows she has no choice but to go to Paris to meet Andrew.
Her days are running heavier than she thought. Another very shaken news, her parents plane crash and they reportedly died. Fay ought to make the toughest decision of his life, going back to Jakarta with the uncertainty about the future, or going to Paris for a certainty the future.

Though I'm still reading it (Chapter 2), I feel such a sense of fun. I love every words in this book.. It makes you want to read and read it more. Full of puzzles and tense missions, but yet fun. The story between Fay and Kent also raised again. The plot is clear and this book easy to understand. Maybe this is the best teenlit I've ever read :D