As most of us can probably recall, the announcement of the recession was particularly tough. Cue fears of pay cuts and endless job-hunting, and swapping expensive takeaways for value noodles. Any victim of the recession can probably relate to tales of redundancy and the dreaded cutting back - and journalist Amy Silver's debut, Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista, explores exactly this - in a fantastically funny way.
Cassie Cavanagh is perfectly content in her job as a PA at a large financial company. Sure, she's not a high-flying trader like her boyfriend Dan and best friend, but life is good. Having just been given the gift of a pair of new Louboutins out of the blue from Dan, Cassie feels lucky to have a nice flat, a decent job and a partner who doesn't stop showering her with presents. And ignoring warnings of a looming recession, she books that romantic weekend away. After all, the credit crunch won't hit everyone, right?
However, Cassie soon find herself in deep trouble when - lo and behold - she's made redundant. What's more, City boy Dan soon dumps her for an older, more glamorous woman.
What happens when you lose everything in a matter of days? Cassie's about to find out...
Unable to stop her shopping addiction, Cassie continues to treat herself on a daily basis. But newly unemployed fashionista has yet to realise that the luxuries she became accustomed to in the past cost money that she now doesn't have. Giving up her spending is hard, but finding another job is even harder. And pretty soon she has to stop, before she's homeless as well as jobless...
Admittedly, I found Cassie to be particularly naive at times, especially when it came to Dan. But Amy's witty, fast-paced writing style makes this book an absolute must-read and I couldn't help but cheer for Cassie as she learnt a few serious life lessons!
With ex-friends and embrassing jobs abound, Cassie is certain that it can't get any worse. But can the serial shopper leanr to budget effectively and turn her life around?
Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista is released on 22nd October.
Rating: 5/5