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White Girl Problems #2
Psychos: A White Girl Problems Book
In this hysterical follow-up to the New York Times bestseller White Girl Problems , Babe Walker travels the globe as she tries to figure out the answer to the question foremost on everyone's mind—including Who is Babe Walker?
If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who devoured Babe Walker’s New York Times bestselling novel White Girl Problems or one of the million people who read her blog or follow her on Twitter daily, then you’ve obviously been waiting with bated breath for her hilarious follow-up novel, Psychos .
Fresh from a four-month stint in rehab for her “alleged” shopping addiction, Babe Walker returns home to Bel Air ten pounds lighter (thanks to a stomach virus), having made amends (she told a counselor with bad skin she was smart) and confronted her past (after meeting her birth mother for the first time—a fashion model turned farmer lesbian). Although delighted to be home and determined to maintain her hard-won inner peace, Babe now faces a host of outside forces seemingly intent on derailing her path to positive change. Not only is she being trailed by an anonymous stalker, but she’s also reunited with the love of her life, a relationship that she cannot seem to stop self-sabotaging.
Babe’s newfound spirituality, coupled with her faith in the universe and its messages, leads her all over the shoulder dancing in Paris, tripping out in Amsterdam, and hooking up in the Mediterranean, only to land her back in New York City, forced to choose between a man who is perfect in every way (except for one small detail) and a man who could be The One if only he didn’t drive Babe to utter insanity.
Unapologetic and uproarious, Psychos is the send-up of the season—already as timeless as vintage Dior.
If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands who devoured Babe Walker’s New York Times bestselling novel White Girl Problems or one of the million people who read her blog or follow her on Twitter daily, then you’ve obviously been waiting with bated breath for her hilarious follow-up novel, Psychos .
Fresh from a four-month stint in rehab for her “alleged” shopping addiction, Babe Walker returns home to Bel Air ten pounds lighter (thanks to a stomach virus), having made amends (she told a counselor with bad skin she was smart) and confronted her past (after meeting her birth mother for the first time—a fashion model turned farmer lesbian). Although delighted to be home and determined to maintain her hard-won inner peace, Babe now faces a host of outside forces seemingly intent on derailing her path to positive change. Not only is she being trailed by an anonymous stalker, but she’s also reunited with the love of her life, a relationship that she cannot seem to stop self-sabotaging.
Babe’s newfound spirituality, coupled with her faith in the universe and its messages, leads her all over the shoulder dancing in Paris, tripping out in Amsterdam, and hooking up in the Mediterranean, only to land her back in New York City, forced to choose between a man who is perfect in every way (except for one small detail) and a man who could be The One if only he didn’t drive Babe to utter insanity.
Unapologetic and uproarious, Psychos is the send-up of the season—already as timeless as vintage Dior.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2014
About the author
Babe Walker
6 books279 followersBabe Walker lives (and very occasionally works) in L.A. You can find her on Twitter (@whitegrlproblem).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
August 12, 2013
I cannot tell you the last time I have laughed so much during a read or had so much FUN reading a delicious book like Psychos. It had me laughing out loud on the train, in my living room by myself and laughing so hard I fell off the treadmill. The pacing of the book is spot on and it is one great one-liner after another told with just the right amount of wit and snark.
Psychos is for anyone who wishes the Shopaholic would just curse already, for anyone who thought Carrie Bradshaw was always a little too Carrie Bradshaw for their own personal taste, and for anyone who has always secretly wished that Lauren Weisberg would just grow a pair and start naming some names.
Psychos is for anyone who wishes the Shopaholic would just curse already, for anyone who thought Carrie Bradshaw was always a little too Carrie Bradshaw for their own personal taste, and for anyone who has always secretly wished that Lauren Weisberg would just grow a pair and start naming some names.
April 27, 2014
3.5 Stars
I've been bombarded lately with books on war and horror novels that are extremely long, therefore it was refreshing to dive into a comedy with just the right amount of pages so as to not overwhelm. Having lived in Los Angeles at one time, I could relate to the truth underneath all the satire and this, at times, created very hearty laughs from me.
Babe Walker is a rich and narcissistic socialite-type who really has nothing better to do with her time but complain about how life is so cruel to her. Just released from Cirque, a rehab facility, she is absolutely sure of one thing and that is living a life of complete Zen (or at least her interpretation of it, which I found rather hilarious).
Babe is aware that she has an alter ego who is completely nuts and goes by the name of Babette. She realizes that when she is in the presence of the love of her life, Robert, Babette always makes an unwelcomed appearance. She believes that she could never have a true relationship with Robert like she so desperately wants because she cannot control the other entity that becomes overcommitted and basically psycho.
Not long after Babe's return home from her rehab stint, she starts receiving stalker-type messages written in black lipstick on various items. Naturally she is disturbed by this and decides to take a trip to Europe to escape her threatened demise. Unfortunately for Babe, this stalker doesn't give up so easy and seems to always be lurking around the corner. But who could it be?? Well, of course, you have to read the book to find out.
This is a book that follows another and I am guessing the previous one included her whole rehab fiasco, but all-in-all this was perfectly fine as a stand alone since most of her past that relates to the present time is recapped.
Being satire in nature, of course there were times when I thought, Oh my God, give me a break! and then there were times that I nearly chocked from laughter. There was a balance of both for me so the good and the bad didn't lean one way more than the other really, well until the end, but I will get to that.
If you are easily offended by vulgar language or sex related issues told in all bluntness then you will have to steer clear of this one. I am not sensitive to either of those things and at times I would even think, Did she really just say that? I wanted to quote a particularly funny piece where she discovers the size of a man's penis while working up to sex that is less than favorable, but I have an advance, uncorrected proof so I can't do that yet.
Throughout the book, I seriously kept envisioning the MC as being either Paris Hilton or Cher Holowitz from the movie "Clueless". I would compare this book's type of satire to "Clueless" just to give you an idea of what type of characters that you would read about in this book. Actually I feel that the main character has a little Bridgette Jones naivety to her as well (although it would be the X-rated version).
I nearly gave this one a strong 4 stars, merely because it generated so much laughter and shock from me, but there is a part at the end that I was not too keen about. Unfortunately since it is the end and this does have that bit of "who done it" involved, I can't divulge too much information. But I will say that I don't like tricky scenarios.
Other than that, I enjoyed this book very much for exactly what it was. The over-the-top situations were a nice change from the serious novels I have been reading lately. If you are in need of a good laugh and are not easily offended then this is a must read for you.
I've been bombarded lately with books on war and horror novels that are extremely long, therefore it was refreshing to dive into a comedy with just the right amount of pages so as to not overwhelm. Having lived in Los Angeles at one time, I could relate to the truth underneath all the satire and this, at times, created very hearty laughs from me.
Babe Walker is a rich and narcissistic socialite-type who really has nothing better to do with her time but complain about how life is so cruel to her. Just released from Cirque, a rehab facility, she is absolutely sure of one thing and that is living a life of complete Zen (or at least her interpretation of it, which I found rather hilarious).
Babe is aware that she has an alter ego who is completely nuts and goes by the name of Babette. She realizes that when she is in the presence of the love of her life, Robert, Babette always makes an unwelcomed appearance. She believes that she could never have a true relationship with Robert like she so desperately wants because she cannot control the other entity that becomes overcommitted and basically psycho.
Not long after Babe's return home from her rehab stint, she starts receiving stalker-type messages written in black lipstick on various items. Naturally she is disturbed by this and decides to take a trip to Europe to escape her threatened demise. Unfortunately for Babe, this stalker doesn't give up so easy and seems to always be lurking around the corner. But who could it be?? Well, of course, you have to read the book to find out.
This is a book that follows another and I am guessing the previous one included her whole rehab fiasco, but all-in-all this was perfectly fine as a stand alone since most of her past that relates to the present time is recapped.
Being satire in nature, of course there were times when I thought, Oh my God, give me a break! and then there were times that I nearly chocked from laughter. There was a balance of both for me so the good and the bad didn't lean one way more than the other really, well until the end, but I will get to that.
If you are easily offended by vulgar language or sex related issues told in all bluntness then you will have to steer clear of this one. I am not sensitive to either of those things and at times I would even think, Did she really just say that? I wanted to quote a particularly funny piece where she discovers the size of a man's penis while working up to sex that is less than favorable, but I have an advance, uncorrected proof so I can't do that yet.
Throughout the book, I seriously kept envisioning the MC as being either Paris Hilton or Cher Holowitz from the movie "Clueless". I would compare this book's type of satire to "Clueless" just to give you an idea of what type of characters that you would read about in this book. Actually I feel that the main character has a little Bridgette Jones naivety to her as well (although it would be the X-rated version).
I nearly gave this one a strong 4 stars, merely because it generated so much laughter and shock from me, but there is a part at the end that I was not too keen about. Unfortunately since it is the end and this does have that bit of "who done it" involved, I can't divulge too much information. But I will say that I don't like tricky scenarios.
Other than that, I enjoyed this book very much for exactly what it was. The over-the-top situations were a nice change from the serious novels I have been reading lately. If you are in need of a good laugh and are not easily offended then this is a must read for you.
May 23, 2014
As long as you take this book for what it is, it's ridiculously hysterical and entertaining. It was a quick read that made me laugh out loud multiple times.
September 30, 2014
The first five chapters were okay...then everything took a downhill plunge. I would read a few pages before wincing and putting it off for another day. By the time I hit chapter nine, I was done. Babe Walker went from interesting to downright annoying, vapid, and clueless.
Once a book becomes a burden to read, especially something as chick lit-ish and light as this, I feel no guilt for putting this onto my DNF pile. I will consider suffering my way through the end of a classic, but this book? Nah, homes. Not worth my time and effort.
Once a book becomes a burden to read, especially something as chick lit-ish and light as this, I feel no guilt for putting this onto my DNF pile. I will consider suffering my way through the end of a classic, but this book? Nah, homes. Not worth my time and effort.
May 25, 2014
Wow. I don’t even know what to say! I’ve certainly never read anything like this before, that’s for sure. I didn’t realize that it was going to be an 18+ read, but strangely it didn’t bother me so much that it’s not suitable for younger readers. I could relate to one or two truths hidden within the satire, and once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, but mostly I was intrigued by all these characters whose realities are so far removed from my own.
Before requesting this book from NetGalley, I wasn’t aware that this is the follow-up to another book written by Walker. Also, I’m not following her blog or following her on Twitter, so I have no idea whether Babe Walker is real or whether she is a fictional character. Either way, I didn’t like her much. There’s not one thing about her or her life which I can relate to. I kept asking myself if this is really how rich people live. Do all rich, spoiled socialites behave this way? I was shocked by her behavior and how she thinks. But I also couldn’t stop laughing at her antics and the things she says, her superficiality, her overreactions, and the dramatics involved in her daily doings. Honestly, that’s probably what kept me glued to the pages. She’s incredibly naive, and I love the close bond she has with her father. Even though I felt rather meh towards her, I don’t think Babe is a bad person. She’s just astoundingly misguided.
Probably around the third incident, I had it figured out who the stalker is, believe it or not. I also liked the sketches that added to each description of what Babe was wearing when she was getting dressed up for certain events. I thought that added a nice touch to a novel that had me smiling, and rolling my eyes in disbelief, the entire time. On the one hand I found it hard to believe that people would actually do the things, and behave the way, she and her posse do; but on the other hand we’ve all seen the strange and perplexing ways in which starlets and other artists behave, so I just went with the flow and laughed myself silly at the over-the-top daily doings of Babe Walker. It is diva behavior like never seen before.
The crude language and sexual content makes this an unsuitable read for younger readers, as well as for those sensitive to such elements in books. Overall I had a fun time reading about white girl “problems”. My life seems so dull in comparison, but it was entertaining to experience how the rich, spoiled, and narcissistic live and view their lives.
I received an eARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley.
Before requesting this book from NetGalley, I wasn’t aware that this is the follow-up to another book written by Walker. Also, I’m not following her blog or following her on Twitter, so I have no idea whether Babe Walker is real or whether she is a fictional character. Either way, I didn’t like her much. There’s not one thing about her or her life which I can relate to. I kept asking myself if this is really how rich people live. Do all rich, spoiled socialites behave this way? I was shocked by her behavior and how she thinks. But I also couldn’t stop laughing at her antics and the things she says, her superficiality, her overreactions, and the dramatics involved in her daily doings. Honestly, that’s probably what kept me glued to the pages. She’s incredibly naive, and I love the close bond she has with her father. Even though I felt rather meh towards her, I don’t think Babe is a bad person. She’s just astoundingly misguided.
Probably around the third incident, I had it figured out who the stalker is, believe it or not. I also liked the sketches that added to each description of what Babe was wearing when she was getting dressed up for certain events. I thought that added a nice touch to a novel that had me smiling, and rolling my eyes in disbelief, the entire time. On the one hand I found it hard to believe that people would actually do the things, and behave the way, she and her posse do; but on the other hand we’ve all seen the strange and perplexing ways in which starlets and other artists behave, so I just went with the flow and laughed myself silly at the over-the-top daily doings of Babe Walker. It is diva behavior like never seen before.
The crude language and sexual content makes this an unsuitable read for younger readers, as well as for those sensitive to such elements in books. Overall I had a fun time reading about white girl “problems”. My life seems so dull in comparison, but it was entertaining to experience how the rich, spoiled, and narcissistic live and view their lives.
I received an eARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley.
April 24, 2023
Ummm..this is a hard one. I like some of the snarky comments/commentary that you find with Walkers' writing. The problem is this book had a stupid spin. I will not expose the ending however, it was not a good payoff. I do not feel this second book was as entertaining as the first one. The story opens with Babe coming back from a four month rehab stint for a shopping compulsion. She has a run in with Robert, Josh, and various other random guys (can we say slutty). In true ADD style, she continues to distract reality with some excursions to 'find herself' and to 'take a breather.' I get the idea that this is a vacuous, self-centered, quintessential narcissistic woman. What I cannot really grip is how her father continues to support her waaaay overspending useless self. Babe is no longer a young woman and she contributes nothing to her bottom line (or really to society). I was thinking that her job at Vogue could have been expounded on however, you don't want to rip off Devil Wears Prada and this could easily go that direction. All in all, the book is a hodge podge of pointless events that led me to ask myself why I bothered.
July 16, 2014
I read the whole thing in a couple days with the hopes that it would get better. I saw a lot of reviews saying how funny it was, how great it was but no, it was terrible. Just terrible. I felt like the whole story was written about a very rich airhead that I just wanted to slap the entire time I was reading it. Not only that but the whole book kept promoting being skinny, not eating, and how gross it is to be fat. I feel that if you aren't in LA or grew up around the hollywood scene, know your models/celebrities you have no idea what is being talked about more then half the time. It was terrible and I don't suggest anyone wastes their time on this book.
November 30, 2013
This book was hilarious. It was a slow beginning but about the quarter way mark it improved greatly. there are some great life lessons in this book that are consistent no matter what social class you are in. I recommend this book to anyone. it releases in april so yoy have plenty of time to catch uo on White Girl problems!
October 2, 2014
Babe Walker is at it again!! The second installment of "White Girl Problems" is as funny and ridiculous as the first as we follow our deranged and psycho heroine around the world. Plagued by a "stalker" and battling her terrifying alter ego, Babe's journey after rehab goes from zen and healthy to drug induced craziness. Robbed, heartbroken, paranoid, stoned: these are all states in which we see the optimistic Babe. Her global antics are amusing, her new friends diverse to say the least, and her love life a rollercoaster of happiness and craziness that comes to a head in the final chapter. Self sabotaging Babe undergoes a death experience, a mental break to end all mental breaks! And it is absolutely hysterical!
This book is the epitome of chic-lit beach fiction. I laughed, I scoffed, I binge read the book in two days. And I am a better, more lighthearted woman for it. My problems are nothing compared to this socialite's daily disasters and that is a comforting notion to fall asleep with.
This book is the epitome of chic-lit beach fiction. I laughed, I scoffed, I binge read the book in two days. And I am a better, more lighthearted woman for it. My problems are nothing compared to this socialite's daily disasters and that is a comforting notion to fall asleep with.
May 5, 2014
What is there to say about Babe Walker? She's self involved. Spoiled. Selfish. Vain. Extremely Rich. oh, and she's really ultra fashionable. Would I want to make her my Bestie? No. But as with most books of fiction, did I really want her to win; to overcome some huge life obstacle, and discover an inner strength? Sure. But there won't be any of that with this read bathed in expletives and raunchy sex.Please believe that Babe Walker exists only to be as outrageous and as pretentious as possible. And I was right there reading every line. It was my guilty pleasure, and it's my belief that Babe Walker's character represents at least some aspect in all of us; what we wish we could do or say---and get away with.
I was a fan of White Girl Problems, and now Madi Brown is a fan of Psychos.
I was a fan of White Girl Problems, and now Madi Brown is a fan of Psychos.
March 29, 2016
Nowhere near as good at the first book in the series. I was kind of disappointed because I expected the same type of humor, but it was almost as if the author lost that in this book by trying to add in a mystery/thriller side-story. That aspect of the book was thoroughly predictable in that I had the "stalker" figured out from the beginning of the story. I know there's a third book in this series looming around out there somewhere and I'm debating on whether I should hold out hope and see how that storyline turns out or if I should just give up and move on.
More review to come later.
More review to come later.
May 23, 2014
You have to appreciate satire and mockery of both vapidity and conspicuous consumption to enjoy The WGP series. This second installment falls very short from the laugh-out-loud comedy in the first book. In Psychos we see the sadder, darker side of narcissism, addiction, bipolar issues and mania. While learning the trajectory of the characters from White Girl Problems made this worth finishing, I would recommend the original book but not this follow-up.
August 12, 2016
I started to read this because I know I read the first one and I like the occasional brainless story.... they can be palette cleansers for the brain! ;)
But this one... I realized it's way too shallow and catty and there's better "sorbets for the brain" out there. Not even marking this as (attempted) read.
But this one... I realized it's way too shallow and catty and there's better "sorbets for the brain" out there. Not even marking this as (attempted) read.
March 26, 2015
This book was AMAZING! A page turner for shure. I could not believe how straight up everything was. Everything from sex to love to jobs told right as it is. And that surprise ending was rediculous. I will definetly read this one again!
May 14, 2014
White Girl Problems was so much more entertaining.
Psychos was a little... out there?
Psychos was a little... out there?
May 19, 2014
This book was seriously laugh-out-loud funny. Babe Walker is the kind of girl who you love to hate yet cannot help but be infatuated with her entertaining life!
May 21, 2014
Didn't love it as much as the first one, but still a riot, easy to read, and tough to put down.
July 8, 2014
An underwhelming follow up to the riotous White Girl Problems.
May 28, 2015
This book did not disappoint!! This a great book for a fun read. I am not sure all spoiled white rich girls could be this entertaining, Babe pulls it off.
June 1, 2015
It's not quite on the level of "White Girl Problems" but it's still Babe Walker and that makes it still pretty funny.
July 26, 2015
I went out and got this book the day it came out because I loved White Girl Problems. But it was a disappointment. Not funny at all. Way too over-the-top. It was stupid.
Read
March 9, 2016So Amazing!
Love Babe Walker this book is equal parts disturbing and funny but in a good way. Highly would recommend this book.
Love Babe Walker this book is equal parts disturbing and funny but in a good way. Highly would recommend this book.
July 15, 2014
fun fast read
July 17, 2014
I didn't buy it. I mean, I bought the book but I didn't buy the ending.
January 18, 2022
This deserves 2.75 stars. Its wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I really enjoyed the third book, the first one was bad.
November 4, 2023
Like reading one of those guilty pleasure reality shows I’d hate to admit I watch (except I don’t watch TV).
February 9, 2024
Silly mindless read I enjoyed it
March 27, 2025
More plot than the other one although twist was quite obvious. Offset by Babe being a bit more annoying?
April 6, 2014
Imagine this: You are a socialite. A kind of celebrity. Well known for penning a book about your life that became a bestseller and won a huge book deal. On the outside everyone might think your life is perfect. But perhaps they are underrating you because you think your life is more than perfect, it’s ‘chic’ perfect. Might it be the ‘drug addiction’ that landed you into rehab that makes you view your life as let’s say, Lindsay Lohan’s (without the criminal records)? Or that you might have an addiction to shopping that gets you high? Or maybe is it that your mother is a forty-year-old model who abandoned you when you were young?
Babe Walker doesn’t get that her life is not as fabulous as she thinks it is (or others do). There are perks in being a socialite and all, but have you thought of a socialite’s life after rehab? Forget ‘chic’, very chaotic if you’d ask me. With your old destructive self competing with your new self to keep you sane, friends who do not get the new you and make you wonder if you have got to ‘throw out last season’s clothes and revamp your closet to something that suits the new you’ (speaking metaphorically), an on-then-off boyfriend behind your back who you can’t get with because being with him reveals a side to you that (kind of) scares him away (for some time). As if all that isn’t enough, you somehow manage to get on Anna Wintour’s, Kim Kardashian’s and Anna Hathaway blacklist (outbidding her on a dress then wearing it to her engagement party), and now you can’t tell who (which one of them) is stalking you and why they are?
A life of fashion, super-annoying besties, psychotic behavior, drama, an ex you want to keep out of the way, a mom in love (I mean, real Brad and Jen love) with Kate Moss, jetting off to Europe (also known as running away), and more drama.
MY REVIEW
I liked this book. A scoop into the life of a real-life socialite. It’s like watching the Kardashians (only short on the number of idiots). Babe Walker bares it all, revealing emotions, real-life situation dilemmas (perhaps) and gives the reader a somewhat glance into the fab parts and not-so fab parts of the life of a socialite. But unlike Ice and Coco and all the fluff you see on telly these days, this book isn’t too orchestrated to make it seem fake. And what’s fun? There are no ad breaks (and no censoring)! Sweet!──★
I liked that this book was non-fiction, but didn’t seem so. Written in a very humorous language, this book made crazy seem just funny and real-life seem so fun (with just a few crazies) to believe.
Certainly Babe Walker might be the character I’d take for lunch. Not sure if I’d like her that much as a friend though (I’d probably think of changing my wardrobe at that thought for less heavy stuff. Again speaking metaphorically). Very crazy, very chic and sometimes adorable when she hit rock-bottom. I like that when she’s killing it with an outfit after a description of the labels (Celine mostly), she makes sketches for readers to get a complete picture.──★★
I really wished much work was done on the characters, especially the mum and her friends (but not the random guys she’d hook-up with). Not that they seemed shallow, but I felt they could have taken on a bit of flesh (what with being thin and all?) and depth. Either way, I had some favorites like Mabinty, the Jamaican nanny whose accent was humorous; Robert, the so adorable boyfriend she cannot help but not be with; Paul, the junkie who for some reason I thought was Babe’s The One, was actually rooting for him to be though, till… can’t tell. Calisto, the Greek demigod who made you squirm in your seat just at the sound of his name (I really didn’t, just being in your shoes, women, to write this review).──★★
I’m not sure I found this book very suspenseful. Maybe I would have liked it if it was well orchestrated like reality TV and not very crazy Jersey Shore mated with Rich Kids of Hollywood. Much for a younger audience and some oldies who keep in touch with their reality stuff.──★★★
This book had some OMG moments that are note-worthy, but if I do, I might as well request the html from the publishers and paste it right onto this blog. You never did see what was coming until it hit you like a Babe Walker (talking of the hurricane), and when it did, you found yourself muttering a whole lot of colorful language.──★★★★
I recommend this book to anyone who loves reality TV. Anyone who wants something focused on the life-after rehab of a socialite should grab this too. And also, anyone looking for drama, humor and fun.
Babe Walker doesn’t get that her life is not as fabulous as she thinks it is (or others do). There are perks in being a socialite and all, but have you thought of a socialite’s life after rehab? Forget ‘chic’, very chaotic if you’d ask me. With your old destructive self competing with your new self to keep you sane, friends who do not get the new you and make you wonder if you have got to ‘throw out last season’s clothes and revamp your closet to something that suits the new you’ (speaking metaphorically), an on-then-off boyfriend behind your back who you can’t get with because being with him reveals a side to you that (kind of) scares him away (for some time). As if all that isn’t enough, you somehow manage to get on Anna Wintour’s, Kim Kardashian’s and Anna Hathaway blacklist (outbidding her on a dress then wearing it to her engagement party), and now you can’t tell who (which one of them) is stalking you and why they are?
A life of fashion, super-annoying besties, psychotic behavior, drama, an ex you want to keep out of the way, a mom in love (I mean, real Brad and Jen love) with Kate Moss, jetting off to Europe (also known as running away), and more drama.
MY REVIEW
I liked this book. A scoop into the life of a real-life socialite. It’s like watching the Kardashians (only short on the number of idiots). Babe Walker bares it all, revealing emotions, real-life situation dilemmas (perhaps) and gives the reader a somewhat glance into the fab parts and not-so fab parts of the life of a socialite. But unlike Ice and Coco and all the fluff you see on telly these days, this book isn’t too orchestrated to make it seem fake. And what’s fun? There are no ad breaks (and no censoring)! Sweet!──★
I liked that this book was non-fiction, but didn’t seem so. Written in a very humorous language, this book made crazy seem just funny and real-life seem so fun (with just a few crazies) to believe.
Certainly Babe Walker might be the character I’d take for lunch. Not sure if I’d like her that much as a friend though (I’d probably think of changing my wardrobe at that thought for less heavy stuff. Again speaking metaphorically). Very crazy, very chic and sometimes adorable when she hit rock-bottom. I like that when she’s killing it with an outfit after a description of the labels (Celine mostly), she makes sketches for readers to get a complete picture.──★★
I really wished much work was done on the characters, especially the mum and her friends (but not the random guys she’d hook-up with). Not that they seemed shallow, but I felt they could have taken on a bit of flesh (what with being thin and all?) and depth. Either way, I had some favorites like Mabinty, the Jamaican nanny whose accent was humorous; Robert, the so adorable boyfriend she cannot help but not be with; Paul, the junkie who for some reason I thought was Babe’s The One, was actually rooting for him to be though, till… can’t tell. Calisto, the Greek demigod who made you squirm in your seat just at the sound of his name (I really didn’t, just being in your shoes, women, to write this review).──★★
I’m not sure I found this book very suspenseful. Maybe I would have liked it if it was well orchestrated like reality TV and not very crazy Jersey Shore mated with Rich Kids of Hollywood. Much for a younger audience and some oldies who keep in touch with their reality stuff.──★★★
This book had some OMG moments that are note-worthy, but if I do, I might as well request the html from the publishers and paste it right onto this blog. You never did see what was coming until it hit you like a Babe Walker (talking of the hurricane), and when it did, you found yourself muttering a whole lot of colorful language.──★★★★
I recommend this book to anyone who loves reality TV. Anyone who wants something focused on the life-after rehab of a socialite should grab this too. And also, anyone looking for drama, humor and fun.
September 9, 2016
AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4
I finished this title, and still am confused as to the author’s intent, but Babe Walker presented a vapid, self-absorbed, shallow heroine with a wry sense of humor and a tentative connection to her ‘reality’ as it differs from the real world’s perception of her life. Babe is just wrapping up a stint at rehab for her “shopping addiction”, while little references are made to her cocaine abuse and the possible help, or lack, that was received on that end. Like many with few to no resources of personality, Babe has an unnatural addiction to a litany of “life coaches” who utilize various techniques from meditation, yoga, astrology and other ‘ology’’ suffixed ‘sciences’ to distract her while providing a focus, the litany of hoops that she subjects herself to in a quest to ‘maintain’ is cleverly poking fun at the hypocritically shallow diversions that stand in for real depth in character and psyche.
Babe is unrelentingly shallow and unapologetically spoilt and impulsive. A father whose indulgence of her foibles is only matched by his own self-absorbed ignorance of them, this is a testament to the adage “money can’t buy happiness”. For none really are: they are all struggling to find something more meaningful, jumping on every train promising fulfillment possible. It took a while not to find Babe a throwaway character, as you waited for something to happen: but she does grow on you in ways that are unexpected. Whether rolling your eyes at the next utterance that is, if possible, more shallow and unrealistic than the last, to laughing at her delivery and sharp-sighted dissembling of the life of the rich and unhappy, you can’t help but hope that something will take root and help her to find some answers and happiness.
Narration from Tavia Gilbert presents Babe with that ultimate ‘almost whining’ every sentence has a question at the end emphasis that is so reinforced by ‘new celebrities’ in the news, while the voicing for her friends is both accurate and different enough to give the reader a sense of someone new speaking. Her father has a voice that feels distracted and hesitant, a sense of speaking AT rather than TO her, and all of the ‘-ologists’ who run through the story are given a sense of kindergarten teacher overlay: a sing-song calming delivery that is soothing and ultimately condescending.
As I said earlier, I’m still unsure about this title - whether it is wonderful satire or very sadly a tale of a life of a girl from Brentwood, but it was engaging, amusing and gave me plenty of laughs even when I was utterly annoyed with and disliked the main character.
I received an AudioBook copy of this title from Simon & Schuster Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4
I finished this title, and still am confused as to the author’s intent, but Babe Walker presented a vapid, self-absorbed, shallow heroine with a wry sense of humor and a tentative connection to her ‘reality’ as it differs from the real world’s perception of her life. Babe is just wrapping up a stint at rehab for her “shopping addiction”, while little references are made to her cocaine abuse and the possible help, or lack, that was received on that end. Like many with few to no resources of personality, Babe has an unnatural addiction to a litany of “life coaches” who utilize various techniques from meditation, yoga, astrology and other ‘ology’’ suffixed ‘sciences’ to distract her while providing a focus, the litany of hoops that she subjects herself to in a quest to ‘maintain’ is cleverly poking fun at the hypocritically shallow diversions that stand in for real depth in character and psyche.
Babe is unrelentingly shallow and unapologetically spoilt and impulsive. A father whose indulgence of her foibles is only matched by his own self-absorbed ignorance of them, this is a testament to the adage “money can’t buy happiness”. For none really are: they are all struggling to find something more meaningful, jumping on every train promising fulfillment possible. It took a while not to find Babe a throwaway character, as you waited for something to happen: but she does grow on you in ways that are unexpected. Whether rolling your eyes at the next utterance that is, if possible, more shallow and unrealistic than the last, to laughing at her delivery and sharp-sighted dissembling of the life of the rich and unhappy, you can’t help but hope that something will take root and help her to find some answers and happiness.
Narration from Tavia Gilbert presents Babe with that ultimate ‘almost whining’ every sentence has a question at the end emphasis that is so reinforced by ‘new celebrities’ in the news, while the voicing for her friends is both accurate and different enough to give the reader a sense of someone new speaking. Her father has a voice that feels distracted and hesitant, a sense of speaking AT rather than TO her, and all of the ‘-ologists’ who run through the story are given a sense of kindergarten teacher overlay: a sing-song calming delivery that is soothing and ultimately condescending.
As I said earlier, I’m still unsure about this title - whether it is wonderful satire or very sadly a tale of a life of a girl from Brentwood, but it was engaging, amusing and gave me plenty of laughs even when I was utterly annoyed with and disliked the main character.
I received an AudioBook copy of this title from Simon & Schuster Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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