Sophie Kinsella - 'I've Got Your Number'

I was waiting and waiting for this book to come out! Then I had to wait for my birthday (the girls were going to get it for me) and then we had to try four different shops!

I am happy to say it was worth it! Sophie Kinsella is just one of those authors where every book is better then the last. (Ok the exception here is 'Can You Keep a Secret?' which is still my favourite, but other then that).

Poppy Wyatt is a bride-to-be who just happens to lose her engagement ring. If this is not bad enough, it is only a week until the wedding. It was a family heirloom and she is already incredibly intimidated by her fiance's academically over-achieving family. Oops. Then to make matters even worse, she loses her phone on the same day. Fate intervenes however when she finds an abandoned telephone in a rubbish bin, meaning she has a number to give to the hotel staff, the police and anyone else who needs it.

Sam Roxton however is less impressed by fate. It is his phone Poppy has acquired and he would like it back. When Poppy begins to "help" in his personal and professional life he is even less impressed.

A twist to this book is that there are ongoing footnotes which "are for things which aren't your main concern but nevertheless hold some interest"* and they definitely add to the fun of the story. That said, as with all good footnotes, the story is perfectly readable without them. If you happen to reading this story electronically there may be a trick to reading them. I am not sure what this is, this is just from comments I have read by others on facebook.

A colourful cast, bizarre situations and lighthearted fun. Highly recommended to any lover of chick lit.

*quote from page 11. This should be a footnote, but I don't know how to do them on here!

Sophie Kinsella - 'Remember Me?'

I have read this book lots of times before. But I am home sick with something poxy (literally) and it is the perfect time for re-reading, and for chick lit. Plus my mum has got the new Sophie Kinsella for me for my birthday (but I haven't got it yet) so I am enjoying re-reading old ones in in anticipation.

It is 2005 and Lexi Smart is a 25 year old with a life where everything is not quite right. Bad teeth,  a funeral to go to and a love life and professional life that could do with some improvement. Then Lexi wakes up and it is suddenly 2007. Lexi is now 28, gorgeous, boss of her department and married (to a millionare no less). Unfortunately Lexi has no idea how she got between these two worlds or how she is going to maintain her new persona when she still feels like a bumbling 25 year old. Worse, as she discovers more about her new life she is not sure it is the life she wants to be living.

Funny. Warm. Addictive. I love Sophie Kinsella and this book is great. If you want a book that is going to change the world, this is probably not for you. But if you want a book that will make you smile and take you to a happy place I highly recommend picking up this book.

Sophie Kinsella 'The Undomestic Goddess'

This book was the first Sophie Kinsella book I read. I was excited when I found it, just because I liked the title. I felt I could relate ;) I haven't read this book for ages so it was nice to revisit it.

Samantha Sweeting is a lawyer. And not just any lawyer. She is an over-achieving young lawyer at a one of the most prestigious firms in London. This is until the day she makes a mistake so big it wipes out any chance of her succeeding in her chosen career. What is a girl to do? Apparently go wandering into the countryside and land a job as housekeeper despite the fact she can't even boil an egg and has never done the dishes in her life. Therea re ups and downs with the oh-so-hot gardener, his lovely mother, her past life and her well meaning new employers.

A light, happy story that looks at the balance between work and life and considers what really are the important things life as well as a tongue in cheek look at the value of always telling the truth!

I don't think this is Sophie Kinsella's best book, but I certainly enjoyed it! As I said at the beginning, it was the first book of her's that I read and I liked it enough to go and hunt out the rest.

Madeleine Wickham "A Desirable Residence"

Madeleine Wickham also writes under the name Sophie Kinsella. I did a bit of a thought summary on this which you can read here if you are interested.

"A Desirable Romance" is a story of peoples lives which begin individually and end up tangled in one big messy ball, not that all the characters are aware of this! Liz and Jonathan Chambers leave their family home, with the intention of selling it, along with their daughter Alice in pursuit of of a dream. Unsurprisingly, the dream doesn't go according to plan and in comes Marcus to the rescue. Marcus finds them tenants whom Alice goes on to befriend. But is Marcus trying to befriend Liz? More twists and turns and crossed relationships makes this a very readable book without it being too in-depth or too complicated a read.

Madeleine Wickham "Swimming Pool Sunday"

For those of you who don't know, Madeleine Wickham is the real name of Sophie Kinsella (of "Shopoholic" fame). Before she was published under Sophie Kinsella she had written several books as Madeleine Wickham. Be warned! They are of quite a different style, which of course is one of the reasons they are published under a different name. As a side note, one thing I find funny about this is I had commented to people Sophie Kinsella was an author who you could watch maturing in writing style with each bit. Since "discovering" Madeleine Wickham it is worth noting that I didn't get this feel in her books.

"Swimming Pool Sunday" is the story of a village torn apart by an accident. An accident caused by someone wanting to help others. It is also the story of the emotions and effects of a couple going through a divorce and their children. Lawyers involvement and personal feelings further complicate the issue. Different people have different loyalties to all of the parties involved. Other issues concerned are the power, and otherwise, of litigation, grief and a child with special needs. It deals with the guilt of motherhood and the always present thoughts of "what if". It is a story that shows no-one is perfect and reminds us all that nothing is black and white and to always look at the shades of grey.

I really enjoyed this book! I managed to buy three at the same time and I am very much looking forward to reading the others.