Shopgirls

I have nothing bad to say about this book. Great main character, well written, evokes the 80’s, solid ending.It’s just not as good as her other books, I still recommend it though and waffled between 3 and 4 stars.

If you’re looking to experience the excess, glamor, and sex-obsessed times of the San Francisco singles scene, told through the eyes of a young woman, then pick up Jessica Anya Blau’s newest novel, Shopgirls. It is definitely rare for me to not have heard of a book before I pick it up to read it, but this was a selection from my awesome librarian who curates a monthly book box for patrons. (Ask your home library if it has such a program or would consider one — or ask for recommendations from the librarians themselves when you’re looking for something new to read.) I had heard of the author’s 2021 novel Mary Jane set in the 1970s, but hadn’t yet had a chance to pick it up, so this was my first book by Blau.Zippy is a 19-year-old working at a fancy department store in San Francisco in Shopgirls. The story is narrated through her eyes, which gives readers the opportunity to remember what it’s like to be so insecure that you’ll try any diet and listen to anyone’s advice if you think it will help you succeed. She lives with Raquel, a young lawyer who has ideas about how to help Zippy lose some weight — as well as her virginity — while mentoring her in the ways of the world. The product of a one-night-stand in a stairwell, Zippy has never known her father, and while she has a close relationship with her mother, Zippy is unsure how to make goals for herself, much less achieve them. On top of all of this, her stepfather Howard has an accident that keeps him from working, which Zippy feels as additional financial pressure to make even more sales in her job in the petite dresses department.With a cast of zany characters working at the department store, plus the family drama and men in the night club, it’s easy to lose track of who is who as you read. However, with the relatively short length (258 pages) and even pacing, I felt it really didn’t matter if I remembered since the book flew by. Shopgirls actually reminded me a lot of a movie set in and made in the 80s. It featured a lot of silly and unnecessary details, dealt with one or two heavy topics, and overall did not make much of a lasting impact. Having grown up in the 1980s, I’m not ready to think of a book set in 1985 as historical fiction. Whether or not it can be defined as such, I’ll leave for the experts. This is a coming-of-age story, a sort of St. Elmo’s Fire meets The Wedding Singer. I did not love this book and gave it 2.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 3 because I liked some of the resolutions that occurred for Zippy. If you’re looking for an easy or light read, however, Shopgirls may be just what you need.

This book was one of my highly anticipated reads of 2025 and I’m absolutely delighted to report that I LOVED it, I loved it so so much.This book was the story of a girl called Zippy who worked in a fancy department store called I. Magnin. It was mainly about her job, her relationship with fellow workmates and of course the customers (or rats as Miss Yolanda would call them)Along with being at I. Magnin we got to see snippets of her home life with her flatmate and her relationship with her mother.I thought this book was very unique and I really adored Zippy a lot, she was a special lady with the kindest of hearts. I loved seeing her confidence grow throughout the storyline and that last paragraph just made my heart so happy.I really enjoyed all of the characters and loved how they were each very different to each other, yet they made up such a bunch of ladies that somehow worked.I love that the author wrote this book having worked in the very same department store, I love getting those little snippets into their lives.This book was unputdownable and I loved it. I laughed, I smiled and I was just so happy from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that just sucks you in until it’s over.I absolutely loved Mary Jane by this author, I recommend it to everyone and have read it myself multiple times. When you love a book that much, it’s always a worry that the other will not live up to it but this did, in so many ways. Though I should not compare as they are both definitely different books, however both have wonderful strong women.Great read, add to your TBR for sure.

Shopgirls, by Jessica Anya Blau, is an 80’s girl’s dream book. It features 19 year old Zippy (have you ever heard of a more perfect name for a n 80’s teen?!?) who has just scored her dream job at the luxury department store I. Magnin in San Francisco. Shopgirls full of heart and it completely reminded me of an 80’s sitcom, which is an enormous compliment from me. You know how on those shows there was always a perfectly wacky ensemble cast, and the episodes were usually campy and fun, but every once in a while they’d tackle something really deep or disturbing, yet never surrender the laugh track? It is exactly that nostalgic, hot pink and turquoise, shoulder-padded, vibe.I loved the rich characters. Zippy is pure fiction gold and her relationship with her rich roommate Raquel was pure bubblegum sleepovers. The 2 of them searching for parking, praying to air freshener Jesus? Hilarious. Zippy’s loyalty to her single mom is so tender and touching, but appropriately jagged as well. My favorites were the other Shopgirls–mean Miss Yolanda with her sucking candy balls, religious and kind Miss Lena, and my favorite, sage Miss Mimi in cosmetics. If you read Blau’s last book, Mary Jane, this one has similar vintage vibes but was significantly–well–Zippier in style. There are some heavy topics, such as AIDS and finding a lost parent, but ultimately, it's a light and fun book.

I enjoyed this book. Zippy was an entertaining FMC with a lot of history for a nineteen year old. Reading about her job at I. Magnin department store with all of the other ladies that worked in her department was definitely entertaining. It was easy to imagine how department stores were in the mid-80s. I recommend reading this book to see how Zippy deals with her dad coming back into her life and trying to figure out what she wants to do for a career.Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely