15 BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LOVE FASHION and SHOPPING!

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In the last two years, I was chatting about a book list with another writer about characters working in shops, shoppers or shopping, and characters that love fashion and shopping. As it’s the season for extra shopping (which always makes me mentally stressed!), I thought it might be fun to see what types of books fall into this category. Or even if there are any. So with the season of shopping and travel (because what bookworm doesn’t take a stack of books with them?), I thought it was now a great time to feature books about shopping and shoppers.

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15 BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LOVE FASHION and SHOPPING! Talking about the books that are all about #shopping and maybe some addicted #shoppers too! How many of these have you read? #Books #BookList #Book Share on X

I have one obvious choice right off the top of my head, and did find another one that would fit from a cursory glance, so now it’s time to see what other titles we find, all of which will hopefully be a good group to share. Let’s jump into this book list and maybe find some inspiration to get that Christmas shopping lists done!

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BOOKS ABOUT SHOPPING and SHOPPERS

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PRICED to MOVE (THE SHOP-TIL-YOU-DROP COLLECTION), GINNY AIKEN

This one is about a shopping network and seems fun. It’s also a series I’ve had on my bookshelf for way too long! Goodreads

the MOST AMAZING DEPARTMENT STORE, SHARON NEISS ARBESS

This one sounds interesting about a woman in the 1950s who goes to work at a department store following the fallout of a divorce. Goodreads

WINDOW SHOPPING, TESSA BAILEY

Described as “sizzling,” this one is probably one that I wouldn’t read, but I know there’s an entire market for adult contemporary that would be likened to Tessa’s books and as an author, Tessa is a fan favorite too. The story is a about a woman who is asked what she thinks of window décor. Goodreads

THE MISTRESS of PENNINGTON’S, RACHEL BRIMBLE

This is about a woman who, as heir to her father’s department store, sets out to prove to him she has the acumen and talent to run his business. There are also additional books in this series. Goodreads

BREAKFAST at TIFFANY’S, TRUMAN CAPOTE

This is a short story and isn’t solely about shopping, or at least the film isn’t, but it is about a character who tries to fill her life with things, though some are just through window shopping, rather than real connections. Goodreads

MRS. ‘ARRIS GOES to PARIS, PAUL GALLICO

This one is more commonly known as Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, and has had at least two film adaptations. It’s a charming cinematic story so I’m sure the book is equally so. It’s about a woman who travels to Paris in order to purchase a designer dress. Goodreads

THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY, CAROLYN KEENE

This is a Nancy Drew mystery, but since we like to try and curate lists with variety, we wanted to share this one. It follows a story where Nancy’s friend Bess gets a job decorating store windows. Sounds fun, right? Goodreads

15 BOOKS TO READ IF YOU LOVE FASHION and SHOPPING! A #booklist about shoppers and shopping! How many of these would you read? #HistoricalFiction #ContemporaryFiction #Fiction #Reading Share on X

YOUNG and FAIR, ROSAMOND du JARDIN

This one is a young adult novel from the 1960s. It follows a sixteen-year-old who becomes a foster child during the Chicago fire. There’s a job working at a department store and of course, a romance, too. Goodreads

CONFESSIONS of a SHOPAHOLIC and CHRISTMAS SHOPAHOLIC, SOPHIE KINSELLA

‘Confessions’ is the obvious title that came to mind when first I was imagining this list. Going off the film, which is how I know this story, it’s about a woman obsessed with pretty things who gets herself into a pickle and unable to live when she maxes out credit cards. There is an entire series of book between the first (‘Confessions’) and last (‘Christmas’) but I thought the last one has such a cute cover that I included that one! ‘Confessions’ on Goodreads | ‘Christmas’ on Goodreads

DRESSED by IRIS, MARY-ANNE O’CONNOR

Tells the story of a forbidden romance in 1930s Australia (a protestant and Catholic). The titular heroine in this one is an aspiring designer who works as a department store to help make ends meet. Goodreads

WHAT the LADY WANTS, RENÉE ROSEN

Inspired by the life of Marshall Field, this gilded age novel sounds interesting, but it’s also, like most of these, one I know nothing about. Goodreads

THE LADIES in BLACK aka THE WOMEN in BLACK, MADELINE ST. JOHN

This is a story I saw through its film adaptation. But first it was a novel. It follows a newcomer who arrives to work at a prestigious store with co-workers far more experienced than her. Goodreads

MEET me in LONDON, GEORGIA TOFFOLO

This is about a heroine who loves fashion and aspires to have her own boutique, and a hero who’s family is set to open a department store. Goodreads

A STORE at WAR, JOANNA TOYE

This one is about a shop girl working at a department store during WWII. It’s also the first book in the Marlow Department Store series. Goodreads

THE LADIES’ PARADISE, ÉMILE ZOLA

The book that inspired the short-lived British TV show The Paradise, this novel has been translated through the years. The one official version I found was this Oxford published version. The story follows (on the TV show) Denise, an ambitious girl who works in a shop and eventually begins a possibly improper romance. Goodreads

Have you read any of these? Which ones do you recommend? Which ones are you most curious about or how many do you recognize? Comment all of your thoughts below! Let’s talk.

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