I've got your number, by S. Kinsella

I'M BACK! after a long, a very long absence to be honest, I'm back. Following a series of exams where the studying took up my entire life (to be a bit melodramatic, but maybe not so far from the truth), I'm back to my "normal" lifestyle, where I read literature again... I must admit I've missed it, and I've missed the interaction with the blogosphere too much for my own good. I promise it won't happen again!

I have devoured a number of books to date, but I'll start with one of the lighter ones, perfect for summer reading: I've got your number, by Sophie Kinsella.

Kinsella is famous for her Shopaholic series, depicting the adventures of a seemingly clueless girl, trying to get through a number of surprises... This book follows in practically the same footsteps, minus the financial disasters!

Poppy has lost her engagement ring and tries to figure out what to do, when she also gets her mobile phone snatched!  Yes, slightly over-the-top beginning, but attention-drawing nevertheless.  What I like about Kinsella's writing is that, while it is seriously unlikely any of the situations described could ever happen - if they did, I would probably react the same way.  So when Poppy finds another phone in a dustbin and speaks with the owner of it, she does agree to help out with the situation at hand (would I sing and dance in front of strangers? probably not...)

The interaction between Sam, the owner of this mobile and Poppy continues, as she uses the phone for her frantic search of the ring.  She slowly becomes his secretary, his confidante, his pal...  Of course there would be a love story, how else would it qualify for summer reading?  I did roll my eyes a couple of times, but still, there have been situations like this happening (somewhere...)

Two innovations I appreciated in this book:  the use of texting, which is how we communicate in our day and age.  Oral communication has alas ceased to be the main part of our interaction with each other (I for one prefer sending emails to colleagues rather than picking up the phone, as I can multitask), but we get to see text retaining the "human" qualities of communication.  I did not feel there was any lack of communication throughout the book and it almost felt as natural as if the characters spoke to each other.  Signs of times...

The next issue was that of class distinction:  and yes, even in the Shopaholic series there is a class battle between those who have and who have not, but here we are introduced in the world of the academic snobbery:  wonderfully done, it did ring some bells in real life!

Sam and Poppy now are on friendly terms, him helping out in cases where Poppy wants to show off to friends and family-to-be (he feeds her Scrabble words!) and he even offers to get her a fake engagement ring to fool her in-laws (no, sorry, this would never happen in real life!). The introduction of Magnus, her fiancé, and Lucinda, her wedding planner, introduce some dark clouds in all this engagement story and I sort of expected some deviation from this fairy tale.

Of course when Poppy actually meets Sam, he will turn out to be a handsome youngish man (how else?  this is the essence of summer reading, people!) and of course all things will hint at a possible break from Magnus and an elopement perhaps with Sam -- but fear not, readers:  the series of twists in the story, all plausible and entertaining, kept my attention intact to the very last page (literally) and had me devour the whole book in a day. Thankfully I did not get a sunburn in the meantime!

All in all, a nice, not that silly,  summer book, an easy escape from everyday life and an introduction to summer living!