Reader's Journal #1: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

8/29/11                                                    Reader’s Journal                                                            #1

Dear Mrs. Zrihen,

            Last week I started reading the book, Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. Since it is more than three hundred pages, I am currently half way through the book. I will finish the rest this week.

           

            A quote from this book that really stood out to me was:

          “Becky has a fabulous flat in London’s trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season’s must-haves. The only trouble is, she can’t actually afford it–not any of it.”

I picked this passage because it gave me an idea of what the book would be about. It’s significant to the book because it basically explains Becky’s conflict throughout the story.

I used many strategies before, during, and after reading sections of this book. Before I starting reading I set a purpose. My purpose for reading was for my reader’s journal, my book a week challenge, and since this book was made into a movie, to see if I would want to watch the movie. I also made sure the book was “Just Right” by doing the Five Finger Test. While in the library I flipped open to a page in the book and found three new words I didn’t know the meaning of; therefore, the book is “Just Right” for me. While reading I wrote down new vocabulary words and used context clues to figure them out. Also while reading, I visualized a part in the book where the main character, Becky, was buying a new, silk, blue scarf. I could easily picture the scarf in my head! Even though I didn’t finish the book, I still used after reading strategies after I read a few chapters. I reread parts I enjoyed, like when Becky visited her parents and when she didn’t win the lottery after she “knew” she would. I also identified the author’s purpose and point of view. The author’s purpose is to entertain and the point of view is first person.

Even though I didn’t complete the book, I still was able to identify some literary elements. The genre is Realistic Fiction because it is a fictional story that could’ve taken place within the last 50 years. The protagonist is Becky Bloomwood. She is dynamic and round. There isn’t really an antagonist because the conflict is man vs. self because Becky’s problem is that she is a shopaholic. If the antagonist could be something then it would definitely be shopping. Some foil characters are Becky’s parents, boss, and her friend, Suze. All of the foil characters are flat and static. The setting is in many places in London, England in the year 2000. The weather conditions vary throughout the book. Becky’s social condition is that she’s a shopaholic with no money.

The exposition of the book starts out explaining Becky, where she lives, and her main problem–being a shopaholic with a tight budget. The rising action is really long; I’m still on it now. It only explains how she’s overdue on all her credit card bills and how she needs to start cutting back. The tone is humorous and the mood is entertained. It’s hard to say what the theme of the book is. I’m not sure, but I think it is that spending money on unnecessary things is foolish. The point of view is first person and the author’s purpose is to entertain. The pattern of organization is time order. Since the book is told in Becky’s perspective, the author’s perspective is biased to whoever and whatever Becky does and does not like. Also, while reading I was able to identify some figurative language like “she fished something out of her purse” which is an idiom meaning to get something out and “thump-thump-thump” which is an onomatopoeia. Another figurative language I found was “When it comes to finance, I’m as dumb as a doornail” which is a simile. Since I only read half of the book, I only found one more. “I need it to start raining money” is a hyperbole.

So far, I’m enjoying the book and recommend it to any girl in middle school. So far, I rate this book a 7½ out of 10 stars because I’m enjoying it, but I have read MUCH better books!

Sincerely,

Bailey Levy 802