SHOPAHOLIC & BABY was a really special book for me to write. First, because it's a return to Becky Bloomwood, a character I love and identify with so much. Secondly because it deals with such an exciting time in anyone's life - having a baby!
I had a new baby recently myself and could totally remember all the craziness that goes along with pregnancy, especially the baby shopping! I went insane with online shopping for nursery accessories as my due date got nearer and nearer - our poor postman nearly broke his back with all the packages!
But the book isn't just about shopping - its about Becky and Luke and the strain on their relationship when Luke's ex-girlfriend makes a reappearance on the scene. I don't want to give the plot away, but let's just say she's tall, thin, glamorous, knew Luke way before Becky did - and can speak Latin. No wonder poor Becky gets freaked out!
Being Becky, she's dealing with a million other things at the same time, from house-hunting to saving a failing department store to giving her sister Jess boyfriend advice... not to mention prenatal classes! (Her first priority in labor, she tells the teacher, is 'Look good'.)
To help celebrate Shopaholic and Baby, here's a list I shared with Borders of 5 favorite baby shopping spots for moms and moms to be:
1. FAO Schwarz On Fifth Avenue in New York City, this is toy paradise for babies and parents alike. I can't step foot into it without immediately buying a furry toy!
2. Daisy & Tom This is a fabulous children's department store on the King's Road in London. It sells everything from baby clothes to children's books to nursery equipment and has a wonderful feel-good atmosphere-helped by it having an in-store carousel!
3. The White Company One of my favourite online companies. As well as selling beautiful linens, it has an adorable range of baby wear, blankets, towels and nursery furniture, all in elegant white. http://www.thewhitecompany.com/
4. Stokke A company based in the Netherlands that makes the coolest baby equipment and furniture, supplied all over the world. I adore my Xplory stroller, and it gets admiring glances wherever I go. I'm also planning to buy a Tripp Trapp high-chair, which is ergonomic, child friendly, and stylish! http://www.stokke.com/.
5. Cath Kidston One of my all-time favourite British designers now has stores in New York and Los Angeles. She designs fabulous, vintage-style prints, which she uses on babywear and adorable, old-fashioned knitted toys.
Now I'd like to know what you think about my new book, or this list of shops. I'll check in periodically at http://borders.gather.com/ to take your questions and answer as often as I can. Happy reading!
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Comments: 27
I just bought my wife "Shopaholic & Baby" and the book club I coordinate will be readng and discussing "Confessions of a Shopaholic" at our June 14, 2007 meeting. I'm looking forward to my first introduction to Ms. Shopaholic. Thanks for your entertaining work!
Your characters are lovable, charming, and so much fun. I thoroughly enjoy each and every trip they take me on and look forward to the next one with great anticipation. Thanks for giving us the gift of Becky Bloomwood.
I too am a novelist though not on the same level as you. My first book "The Bunko Babes" was slated for release in less than a month but due to the editing process and the slow wheels of publishing it's been pushed to August 2007. What as an author have you found to be the most frustrating part of the publishing process? The most rewarding part?
Thanks for the gift of your talent and the gift of your time. I look forward to hearing from you and to reading more from the tip of your pen. Leah Starr Baker
Sophie thanks for letting me take a picture with you at your book signing in Chicago! If you remember me, I'm the one who gave you a copy of my book "How to Buy Everything for Your Wedding on eBay ... and Save a Fortune!" Since Becky discovered eBay in "Shopaholic and Sister" I thought it'd be a good fun for you to peek at my book =)
Here's the pictures!
http://sarahm.tripod.com/sophiekinsella.html
Thank you so much for creating another Becky tale!
I recently joined a new book club and while discussing some of the books we had read I mentioned your fabulously delightful Shopaholic series. One of the other members piped in and I believe we convinced two of the other members to get busy catching up so we all could read Shopaholic and Baby together!
I enjoyed listening to the audio books and being from North Lousiana (that's Redneck country, not Cajun) it was blast listening to those adorable accents while walking plus...I even lost a couple of pounds!
Thanks so much to those of you you have enjoyed the book, it was such fun to write and it means so much to me that people appreciate Becky... :)
About further books, I am right in the middle of a stand-alone novel, which is very exciting and should be published next year. No details yet but it's a brand-new heroine and story, which is a lot of fun! As for Becky... yes, I do think she will return!! I just love writing her and I think there are more adventures in her, for sure. Maybe not immediately, but down the line she will return, Visa card in hand :)
Leah, how lovely to hear from another writer and I hope all goes well. I would say the most frustrating part of publishing for me is when my own writing isn't going well or the story grinds to a halt for some reason. But I do have a solution, which is to go out with my husband and talk the plot over - we order cocktails and eat pizza and somehow always find the solution! And the best part? Too many! Thinking of a new idea.... finishing a novel... seeing the cover for the first time... above all, meeting readers and hearing that the books have entertained them or even cheered them up during a bad time. That's the reason I'm doing what I'm doing.
Geri, that is awesome! So glad you've enjoyed the audio books during your hikes. 'Shopaholic books can help you lose weight' - d'you think I should put it on the cover?!
Sarah, great picture! I'd forgotten I was wearing the baseball cap :) (A reader gave it to me during the signing!) And thank you so much for your book, it will get me addicted to eBay again... :)
Tak again soon
Sophie
Best,
Beth Feldman
Founder of Role Mommy, a virtual coffee klatch for today's busy moms (http://www.rolemommy.com)