Chick Lit Overdose

This is a way overdue review of Diary Of A Working Girl by Daniela Brodsky and How To Murder A Millionaire by Nancy Martin. I've been way too busy tying up loose ends and packing for my sojourn to UK.

I had high hopes for Diary. The story of a freelance magazine writer trying to make it with the big fashion bibles such as Vogue, Marie Claire and W reminded me of the those days when I started writing for magazines.

Unfortunately, I got bored one-third into the book. The main character is a floozy airhead who seems too lucky to be true considering that she doesn't seem to know anything about writing. She's portrayed as knowing a thing or two about fashion, granted, but I found the writing too shallow and unoriginal. The plot isn't at all engaging and the characters were superficial - I couldn't care less what happened to them.

I'm sad to say that I finished the book, though - I'm one of those who likes to finish what she started, even though my heart isn't in it. Watodo?

Millionaire was one of those books that I had just picked up and put in my bag, with the intention to pass the time while queuing at the bank and post office. You know, those kind of books which you know you can just have a quick 5-10-minute read without losing sight of the plot and where you won't have any trouble recalling the characters because it's such a light read?

I couldn't stop reading and finished the book in two hours.

It was that engrossing. It's no Agatha Christie or high-wattage thriller, mind you, but it has its fair share of mystery and twists that eggs you on. It helps that the author keeps the mood light, although the book is a murder mystery, by throwing in bits of humour and comedy.

I can't wait to read the second book of the series, Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds.