Friday, July 22, 2011

Read Alike: Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is best known for her Shopaholic series, laugh-out loud books about scatterbrained Becky Bloomwood and her obsession with shopping. Kinsella’s stories are told in the present tense from a first-person point of view. They are set in contemporary cities, usually London and Kinsella uses the urban life to set her heroine up for comic situation in both her personal and professional life. Kinsella also writes under the pen name Madeleine Wickham. Wickham’s novels are more prone to black humor and are not as light-hearted as those written as Sophie Kinsella.

If you are looking for a funny, upbeat light-hearted romance similar to those written by Sophie Kinsella my we suggest one of these authors:

The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne (Romance)

Business-savvy Betsy Phillimore may have bitten off more than she can chew when she agree to bring a fading English finishing school into the twenty-first-century. Not only does she have to win over the school's snobby headmistress and its handsome but risk-averse treasurer, she has to face some very personal unfinished business.

Second Thyme Around by Katie Fforde (Fiction)

Journey backstage at a gourmet cooking show to capture the romantic trials and tribulations of Perdita, an independent, sensible organic gardener who hates the limelight. You will also meet Lucas, a brilliant but egotistical chef who happens to be Perdita’s ex-husband.

Something Blue by Emily Griffin (Fiction)

Her belief in the power of beauty shattered when her fiancé dumps her for a plain woman, a pregnant Darcy flees to London and struggles to rebuild her glamorous life before realizing that her past methods no longer work.

Swapping Lives by Jane Green (Fiction)

Longing for a traditional family life in the country in spite of her successful career, magazine director Vicky Townsley participates in a contest that has her switching places for one month with Amber Winslow, a busy wife and mother.

One-Hit Wonder by Lisa Jewell (Fiction)

Moving back in with her mother after her geeky boyfriend ends their relationship, Ana dreams about living the life of her pop singer half-sister, Bee, whose untimely death introduces Ana to the mysterious dangers of Bee's world.

Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes (Fiction)

Thirty something best friends Tara and Katherine are losers at love until a mutual friend forces them to make a promise--Katherine must give up her monogamous relationship with her remote control, and Tara must abandon the boyfriend who treats her like dirt.

Being Committed by Anna Maxted (Fiction)

Refusing her long-time boyfriend's marriage proposal, private investigator Hannah regrets her actions when he becomes engaged to his traditional next-door neighbor, a situation that forces her to rethink her beliefs about faithfulness.

The Agency by Ally O’Brien (Fiction)

Struggling with the egos and back-stabbing behavior of her colleagues at a multi-national media agency, Tess Drake finds her career in jeopardy when a rival is unexpectedly promoted, challenging Tess's ambition to start her own agency.

The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate (Fiction)

Rebecca Strand ignores her lawyer boyfriend Michael's concerns about her inheritance and seeks out her long-lost sibling Joy Jayhawk, who operates a singles tour dubbed "The Love Bus". Rebecca soon finds out that she will have to change her thinking if Joy is going to want anything to do with her.

Also try one of these authors: Madeleine Wickham (a pen name of Sophie Kinsella), Lauren Weisberger, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, Mary Kay Andrews, Isabel Wolff, Robyn Sisman and Helen Fielding.

Annotations courtesy of Novelist.

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!

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