Well, I wouldn't consider this book as part of my 2009 quantity challenge as I finished this when I was still in college -- sometime 2003 or early 2004. It did not have the cult chick-lit following way back then, but it certainly entertained me. 
The first book in this review is the "Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella. It was first introduced to me by a high school friend and she said that it suited me well. At the time, I was a shopaholic and was deeply interested in finance. Talk about extremes.
It tells the tale of Rebecca Bloomwood, a financial journalist who just can't stop herself from shopping. She gets a thrill whenever she shops for stuff, and is so oblivious to the fact that her credit card debts are piling up and she is already running an overdraft with her bank.
Okay, very ironic, but Becky was younger, she thought that the credit card was some magical card where you just swipe it and poof! Your stuff is free.
The funniest part of the tale is whenever she gets her bills -- oh yes, there are lots and lots of them, and tries to hide them or "accidentally-on-purpose" loses them. Imagine, her biggest fantasy was that her credit card bill would be sent to someone by mistake and her bills would immediately be paid off! :P
Anyway, the part I loved the most about the book is Luke Brandon. Hmmmm.... for me, he is the quintessential British guy, the guy I tend to be attracted to the most. As I was reading the tale, I was like, "I want my own Luke Brandon." Okay. So he is just a character, but having a real-life boyfriend like that would surely make me so happy!
I'll still give the novel a 4.5/5. Okay. I might have been a wee bit impartial in giving out my overall rating because the Luke Brandon character added a bit to it and of course, it's set in London. Apologies, but I do am partial to novels written or is set in London. I just adore that place and well, I could deffo picture the stores that Sophie Kinsella was stating, even down to the tube lines :P
I'm going to watch the movie tonight, so expect some spoilers when I blog the differences and similarities of both movies! :)
Will post another review for Shopaholic Abroad soon!
My copy: a trade paperback novel bought from Powerbooks circa 2003 which I'm definitely keeping :) Oh yes, I have the British version. Hurrah!
Well... When I read this book, i realized I wanted my Luke Brandon desperately too :)
He still is my ideal book character after all (What a shame?!:)
Must be an enjoyable read Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. loved the way you wrote it. I find your review very genuine and orignal, this book is going in by "to read" list.