Shopping Books

Taylor's pain as she quietly endures her once colorful world fade into "muted browns" and thin watery sounds after the death of her sister. Feeling the odd girl out with her two friends, Sophie and Sam, she accepts the friendly advances of an older, hipper girl, Kat and like her bedroom-ridden, bathrobe-wearing mother, she begins to slide away from herself and into the world of shopping and makeup. When everything comes crashing down, her strong and wonderful grandfather is there to collect the pieces and hear the story she's needed so long to tell. Most of it anyway. This story is unassuming like a sprinkling rain. Hours later you realize that you're wet after all.

I just finished this book, read it over the weekend. It was a good story and very real displaying young girls' emotions: Loneliness, desperation for friends, wanting money, needing parents to be parents and not the child being the parent....along with shopping, something all girls love. The book is fast paced and enjoyable. A good story to curl up with on a rainy day because the book will keep you interested and it's a simple read. I recommend it, and not just for teens, older people will find it entertaining too, I'm in my 20's. The title "Shopaholic" is what attracted me to it. I had heard about this book while reading a magazine and am glad I bought it.

A vanilla-cream-colored jacket. Lilac shimmer lipstick. Purses. Skirts. Taylor is growing obsessed with all of these things because she needs to keep up with her new friend, Kat. Taylor has other friends, Sophie and Sam, but they're not as cool as Kat, and they seem to be doing more and more things together without her. For Sam and Sophie shopping is fun, a way to occupy their time during a boring Saturday afternoon, but for Kat it's an obsession. Not long after she meets Kat, Taylor finds herself loaning Kat household money to buy clothes and spending way more than she should just to keep Kat as her friend. Kat's world, like much of the book, is superficial, and there's most definitely a lesson to be learned about what makes a real friend.

Though Judy Waite tries to infuse a serious tone and angst in the form of Taylor's dead sister and catatonic, incoherent mother, she leaves the reader confused as to why Taylor's life is so unusual, since Taylor's secret is not revealed until the end of the book. Everyone around Taylor comes off as flat and underdeveloped, except for her loving grandfather. The descriptions of clothes and makeup often go overboard, and not enough time is given to more important issues, such as Kat's obviously less-than-perfect home life. Like a Nordstrom's shoe sale that has nothing left in your size, SHOPAHOLIC is a book that makes a lot of promises but ultimately doesn't deliver.

--- Reviewed by Carlie Kraft

I read this play, and then recently saw the version put on by Vortex, in Austin, TX, directed by Barry Pineo. The play is absolutely extraordinary. I couldn't stop crying through the next to last scene. It's an extremely powerful indictment of the emptiness of modern culture. A must see.

I haven't read this book but I saw it in the theater. The story is NOT AT ALL funny! If it is funny for you you don't understand it. It is about the problems of the consuming/er(?) society.

The title was a little frightening, and not exactly recommended reading for grandma and the kids. Ravenhill presents a very warped and funny reality that we all live in and never wish to admitt to. Even to ourselves. Very funny.

I'm an avid bag collector, and while I was hoping for more information about the bags themselves, this book is an incredible resource of some of the best places in the world to shop. I can't afford most of the things in these shops, but looking is always free!

I received this book as a gift from a friend and liked it so much I ordered it as a gift for my close friend, who is going to read it after finishing her studies for the law bar exam. We both love to collect shopping bags, especially on vacations as a way to remember the trip.

I'm an avid bag collector, and while I was hoping for more information about the bags themselves, this book is an incredible resource of some of the best places in the world to shop. I can't afford most of the things in these shops, but looking is always free!

I was really surprised by this new authors' first book. It was an easy read and held my attention throughout the entire book. Suspenseful; great usage for a toilet seat; a nice ending. Murder with a twisted sense of humor. I look forward to seeing Tom and Jeri (cat and mouse ?) in the next book.

I felt as though I were reading an Alfred Hitchcock Book....suspenseful throughout, kept me guessing until the end

Excellent read. The book grabs your attention and holds on until the end. I never expected that the high end shopping experience would be like this!

Change often takes ten years to happen so the authors views seem to be occurring in 2007-2008. In the 80's and into the 90's mega churches were the ones that attracted the middle class folk. Well educated, 'religious' folks have been pretty consistent on not joining any church. And then there is the big group of 'religious' folk who having as an example attended a Catholic school and church still treasures the rituals on occasion but is more akin to Buddhism and Quaker ways of life. Walk the talk living. Also don't overlook how the economy drives peoples beliefs. A recession often brings about simple living beliefs which is attractive to those who are Buddhist, Quaker, small town churches with social justice mode. A book well worth reading.

This book, written in 1998, takes an objective look at the varieties of religious expression in America at the end of the 20th century and projects the observed trends into the new millennium. This is good information for anyone to have, whether one is a "seeker", a casual observer, or a devoted follower of a particular religion. It covers the "mix-and-match" religious experiences that are popular in some areas as well as the tradional religions who are embracing new methodology to impact today's society. The influence of religion in the social and political arenas is also addressed quite extensively. One subject the authors glossed over a little too quickly is the impact of televangelism and the effect it has on religious beliefs and practices. For good or for ill, televangelism has a much greater impact, at least in America's heartland, than the authors indicate. Otherwise, this book is very comprehensive and never ceases to be interesting.

Terrific book at identifying why our search for faith and spiritual life has taken so many different roads. Influenced by the world events, yet still desiring a faith to guide us and make sense of our spiritual side. This book will help people to explore options and understand why they may have had some different feelings about their spirit along the way. The CD that comes with the book helps keep the explorations fresh.

This book breaks Sydney into shopping districts that can be covered in an afternoon or a day. Brief descriptions are sufficient to get a feel for whether you would be interested in visiting certain stores, or even whole districts, so that you can more efficiently plan your trip. Hours of operation are included. Colorful pictures of the interior of stores and their merchandise are helpful, but a relative indicator of prices (like a 1 to 5 dollar sign system) would be extremely helpful. Also, mileage indicators on the maps would be a big plus.

Like any international city,Sydney has a wealth of retail outlets, but it never struck me as an intriguing shopping town until I saw this engaging guide. Grouping stores by neighborhood, Ms Matthews steers buyers beyond the Benettons and other international chains so they can make a beeline for the most unusual wares Sydney has to offer. Complementing Ms Matthews's snappy writing style are the crisp, almost tactile photos by Rupert Lorhaldar.

Many of the products on offer here are indigenous to Australia. There is an espresso bar where the handmade furniture you sit on is for sale, and a store specializing in anything made from Australian cotton, for example. Yet the book also tells you where to find the best French imports, Soviet memorabilia and Swedish designs. Among the 113 rather esoteric businesses to choose from are an upscale sex shop; a boutique of unusual buttons; a lounge where you can go with friends and a bottle of wine to make your own pottery; a bottled-water purveyor with 100 varieties; and a consignment shop for recycyled designer clothes.

Information on each store includes address, telephone and fax numbers and hours, but does not include prices. The latter are apt to change; besides, as in a store window, a lack of price tag can draw you into the store to ask. For richer or, more likely, for poorer, this fashionably slim book should accompany the acquisative to Sydney.

After the success of her foray into the clique that is Melbourne's shopping secrets, I was anxious to see how Michelle treated Sydney. Again, this formula delivers sensational results. Just how does she find these places? The little vignette on each store is certainly enough to get you through the door where the charm and uniqueness of the proprietor and her/his wares is sure to clinch the sale. Hot on the heels of the Melbourne edition, is this the niche retailer's answer to Lonely Planet? Like Steve Jobs and Apple, Michelle encourages you to think (and buy!) different. Even if you don't, she can take you to places you've never dreamed of. A great companion guide for Olympic visitors.

Some contain HARMFUL chemicals like preservatives, dyes, and artificial flavors. Chemical like these should be reduced or eliminated from our diets. ALL foods have chemicals in them. Some are minerals, vitamins, proteins, flavors, acids, bases, salts, carbohydrates, oils, fats, etc. etc. etc. Stop branding all chemicals "bad". Even water (H2O), is a chemical.

I have used many of the things suggested in the book. I believe the information is still helpful. I wish they would make a new book or a revised addition... I have the other books By Niki and David Goldbeck... I love them also.... What has become of them?

If I could have only two books for reference in my kitchen, one would be THE JOY OF COOKING, by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker, and the other would be THE SUPERMARKET HANDBOOK, by Nikki and David Goldbeck. Even though the first printing of this book was in 1976, the information offered is still current and, in fact, will remain current and relevent. Each chapter of this book contains accurate and easy to understand information on basic and usually misunderstood food facts, always directing the reader to the most healthy choices by avoiding foods contaminated with preservatives and other chemicals. The recipes included are, basic and wonderful. Each morning I quickly prepare and enjoy hot brown rice cereal, following the easy directions. The recommendation regarding roasting meats is truly a gift to a person who wants to have a good meal ready upon returning home from work. Anyone curious about the true basic nature of foods and how to prepare good meals will find this book an essential reference for his or her kitchen.

This is the only Unicorn club book I need. I want to re-do The Sweet Valley High books that are hardcover like Second Chance,Boy Trouble,My Best Friend's Boyfriend and The Stolen Diary.Change them to soft cover.It would be fun to read about The Unicorns trapped at a mall.

Well it was my dream as a kid.The Unicorn Club gets stuck in the mall overnight!You've got to read about that!

This book is about a group of 7th graders who get locked in the mall over night. They can't beleive their good luck, there's so much they can do! But maybe too much, the girls start fighting over what they should do. This book is about friendship and it's very entertaining.

My 18-month-old son absolutley loves this book. It is a must read at least once a day. He enjoys Harry's search for the cookies and Grandpa's search for Harry; in the lettuce, the beans, and the banana's. It's also a wonderful book to encourage a child to stay close to their parent (grandparent).

Great book to teach kids to stay close to parents in grocery store/mall. Adults have a tendency to get lost as Harry discovers when he goes grocery shopping with his grandpa.

While visiting the supermarket for the first time in his life, Harry, a young puppy, smells something absolutely wonderful: cupcakes! So, following his trusty nose, Harry begins searching for the wonderful baked treat, unaware that his beloved Grandfather has not seen him take off. As Harry searches high and low for cupcakes, Grandpa searches high and low for Harry. And just as Harry finds the delicious treat, he realizes that Grandpa isn't with him, and goes into a frenzy trying to find him amidst crowds of strangers.

Francesca Simon has done an amazing job of turning a scary moment in most young children's, and parents lives, into a wonderful children's book that will help young readers identify their feelings in a scary situation, such as getting lost in a busy marketplace. Her wonderful prose captures the essence of fright, while David Melling's adorable illustrations paint them out for the reader. This is a wonderful book for all, especially for parents who are trying to convey the message of not wandering off in stores, to their children.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Definitely covers all the good places but only has token "vintage" and "discount" entries and entirely ignores the 34th street shopping district in the garment district where there is a ton of stuff to be found. Focuses way too much attention on Soho. To be a fashionista in NYC though, you definitely need this book. One thing it needs to have is maps-by-neighborhood with the stores marked/numbered. Otherwise its hard to spend a day shopping, working from the book. You have to make your own map. But it is the only book of its type that I've seen so its a must have.

Extremely helpful for all fashionistas. Makes a great gift for clients as well. Very well researched and a fun read.

The most amazingly organized, concise, factual shopping guide there is. A fabulous stocking stuffer.....stuffed with tidbits, locations, telephone #'s. Absolutely guaranteed to produce a call from you credit card company. This title, along with its worldwide sisters, should not be missed. If you're going through customs, leave the European ones with friends.....they're a sure tip off that you've been in a buying mode!
One of the best Christmas present/stocking stuffers.