The Secret Diary of a Checkout Girl: a laugh-out-loud must-read for retail workers!

by Samantha Rose

Suzie Quesnell was just a typical checkout girl, until one day she thought: 'What the hell am I doing with my life?!'
This is the very honest, very secret diary that she used to plot her escape from Eggberts Supermarket.
So, if you've ever been stuck doing a job that's not for you, or, God forbid, you still are stuck doing a job that's not for you, then read Suzie's book. Laugh with her, cry with her, but more importantly, change your life with her.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2015

About the author

Samantha Rose is an Emmy award-winning television writer and a New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling ghostwriter whose titles have been selected as Reese’s Book Club and Target Bookmarked Picks and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah and Harper’s Bazaar. She is the principal of YellowSkyMedia, a boutique editorial agency in Petaluma, California, where she lives with her son. Her new memoir, Giving Up the Ghost, is her first book written under her own name.

Reviews

[Julia DeBarrioz · Rating 4 out of 5]

HILARIOUS!

If you've ever worked a thankless job for minimum wage, especially one related to food in any way, you should read this book. It's so funny and honest, filled with laugh [and cry] out loud goodness. I worked a coffee/bagel shop gig for WAY too long, and I related to this character maybe TOO much...

Suzie Queznell has a degree in dog training, but she's gotten stuck as a checkout girl at a supermarket. It was supposed to be just a stopping point, but the horrible job drags on for years. She's really her own worst enemy in her efforts to get out of the supermarket but who hasn't been at some point in their lives? You kind of bang your head on the table for her as she puts up with all manners of indignities from customers, colleagues, and managers alike, but who hasn't? Who @$&%ing hasn't put up with rudeness, management going back on their word and taking advantage of your good will, sexual harassment, and that awkwardly hopeless co-worker who's harmless yet just can't take the hint?

I appreciated Suzie's brutal honesty, and her delivery in the form of this diary is seriously funny. I look forward to reading more of Samantha Rose's work!

[James Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Being someone who actually works in a very similar job, I was able to not only relate to a lot of the situations and observations but also laugh (and at times feel the need to cry) at the year in the life of Suzie Quesnell the checkout girl. Extremely well written, perfectly paced and honest in its subject matter...I recommend this book to all and everyone!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! So relatable in sooo many ways!

[Liz Meldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi. Yes, hello. Is it socially acceptable for me to scream from the rooftop about how amazing this book was? Because that's what I'd like to do. I think, quite honestly, this book is one of my favourite books of 2015. I'm a total sucker for "diary-esque" books, because I find them really witty and engaging. Bridget Jones's Diary was one of my favourite books growing up (probably the second in the series, since I read that first), and this, in my opinion, was on par with that.

Albeit in a slightly moodier, less whiny sort of way.

Let me be the first to say I've worked behind a cash register since I was about nineteen. It's torture. Slow, painful torture, and I connected with everything Suzie was talking about in an instant. Her life was my life, especially in the last year or so. I too had worked at a not great job for a number of years. I too sometimes dreaded looking elsewhere because that was such an effort, and that job was comfortable and easy and brainless... I get Suzie's story 100%.

The writing here is snappy and clever. Witty. Samantha Ferguson is a ridiculously witty and hilarious author, inducing LOL moments alongside cringe-worthy ones in equal measure. There were a few over-the-top moments in the book, but hey, who's to say they couldn't happen? We've all had gross coworkers--and lifers who think there's nothing better than that job. We've had pervy managers, nagging parents, and work commitments getting in the way of important life events. I mean, none of my roomies have ever brought home a prostitute, but it could happen.

What I liked most about this book was that Suzie sorted herself out in the end. Some heroic man didn't waltz in and sweep her off her feet. When I first started reading, I 100% expected there to be some guy who'd show up, they'd fall in love, life wouldn't seem so terrible, blah blah blah. But no. Things were shit right up until they weren't. And I loved it. LOVED IT.

There were a few errors throughout the text, though I didn't care. Yup. Grammar obsessive me was like NOPE MUST KEEP READING DON'T CARE DON'T CARE DON'T CARE. It was a grand ol' time, and I can't praise this piece enough. When I initially saw the price ($5 or so), I was like... Do I really want to buy this? But the cover drew me in, followed by the promise of a diary from someone who probably all but lived my life, so I sucked it up and spent the money.

So glad I did. I flew through this book, and I feel a lot of other readers will do the same. It was fantastic. FANTASTIC.

[Toria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Bought the day it came out and finished by the following evening.

At first glance, the concept seems such a "first world problem" but you know why? Because it actually is! Thanks, recession.

Being stuck in a situation where you're either jobless, or actually have a job but it's so far removed from your education and training that it just feels like you'd be better off as a zombie, is something that my generation, and the generation of Suzie, have almost all experienced. Making this book a good real-life commentary, and of course, just a good read all round!

It's funny, it's sad, and overall it's extremely relatable - would definitely recommend.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Had so many 'laugh out loud' moments. Found myself enjoying the character's honesty and rants. Ashamedly, have to admit that reading someone's problems and misery made me feel better about my life but also realised this story is a true-to-life description of a lot of people's 'rat-race' existence (including at times my own). The length of the book was perfect. Would definitely recommend and read this author again.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. & have been a checkout operator so know of the stuff that goes on.