Kindle
$2.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$12.57
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $12.00 (80%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $9.84

Save: $0.35 (4%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Anonymous
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Chameleon in a Candy Store (The Oxygen Thief Diaries Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Anonymous (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,206 ratings
See all formats and editions
Anonymous is back with the intoxicating, darkly dangerous, and wildly addictive sequel to his New York Times bestselling debut novel Diary of an Oxygen Thief.

Picking up the story where it left off, the controversial protagonist of cult classic Diary of an Oxygen Thief retools his advertising skills to seduce women online. It’s a pursuit that quickly becomes a dangerous fixation, often requiring even more creativity and deception than his award-winning ad campaigns. Dazzling, daunting, and darkly hilarious, this spellbinding sequel is a spectacular indictment of a modern love twisted beyond recognition.

This title was previously published as Chameleon on a Kaleidoscope.
Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 3
    The Oxygen Thief Diaries
  2. Print length
    210 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Gallery Books
  6. Publication date
    March 14, 2017
  7. File size
    1496 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Next 2 for you in this series See full series
Total Price: $7.98
By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of Use

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A Simon & Schuster author.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I knew if I wanted to have sex with a girl within the first three seconds of meeting her. After that, it was just a matter of how much I was willing to put up with to make it happen. This period of putting up with their bullshit was what women called charm. On dates with girls I didn’t even like trying to get into pants that didn’t even fit. Rummaging around inside them looking for what? Had this always been the case even before the drinking? If so, all I’d done was exchange one addiction for another. Far from being free, the prison had just gotten bigger. And they just sat there, protected by the romantic rules of engagement, categorizing my attempts at fucking them. How did I compare to the guy last night? At least he paid for dinner. And wanted children. He was taller too. I was happy to let the gargoyle in my midriff drag me to within fucking distance of these creatures, but even I couldn’t make myself pretend I wanted babies.
YVETTE
Bobbing and swaying in front of my face as we ascended the steps to her fourth-floor Elizabeth Street apartment was the real reason we’d been together three years. Our evening stroll had been cut short by a rainstorm, so once we got inside we shook off our wet things. We lay across her bed and chatted. Ordinarily this would have been enough to get the ball rolling, but I was still not confident enough about making a move. I had already discovered that working for a bad ad agency required just as much energy as working for a good one, and I had an early start the next day. If we didn’t have sex soon I’d be forced to stay the entire night. Did she want me to leave? Time to call her bluff. Making an overly dramatic announcement that I had better go if I was to be in decent shape for work the next day, I began to say my good- byes to that magnificent world-class ass.
“You hug it like it’s a separate person,” she said, thawing a little.
“You’re accusing me of having an affair with your ass, behind your back?”
A smile.
She was pissed because I hadn’t picked up on her latest hint that we should live together, get married, have children, and die of old age in each other’s arms. These hints had more recently taken the form of exaggerated street mimes. The huge overacted crazy-eyed smile she reserved for babies was subtle compared to the impossible affection conjured up in the presence of every old couple we encountered. Especially, for some reason, if they were Asian.
I resisted the urge to respond or acknowledge because I knew that once the subject was brought out into the open, it could never be put back in the box. There was no way I was going to marry her, but there was no way I’d be allowed access to her ass if she knew this. I hoped that my silence would indicate that I was still open to the possibilities, but it was only a matter of time before something would need to be said.
I felt sufficiently encouraged by that halfhearted smile to spank her gently through her cotton knickers. This led to touching and tickling, pecking and pouting, and after she broke away to brush her teeth, turn out the lights, and close her laptop, we progressed to sensual half-lit sex. She fluttered up and down on me with such delicacy I was reminded of a winged nymph as she effortlessly hovered and dipped.
The rain persisted outside, and as she leaned back to scratch gently under my balls, I got a perfect view of her small dancer’s breasts, backlit by the amber glow from the desk lamp. I stiffened inside her and her body immediately straightened as if we really had become one. I wanted to say I love you, but it was too risky. She would surely see through it for the manipulation it was and stop what she was doing. I toyed with saying You’re lovely, but this just felt childish. I adore you was merely I love you lite, and oh baby was completely meaningless.
“Fuck yeah,” I said at last.
Well, at least it was honest.
 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N3SROGH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books (March 14, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 14, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1496 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1501169793
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,206 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Anonymous

Anonymous

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,206 global ratings
Great history about love and sex in actual times
5 Stars
Great history about love and sex in actual times
I read the first book and I love it, and this second one’s even better than the first, both shows the raw and cruel sense of love and sex / Leí el primer libro y me encanto, y este segundo es incluso mejor, los dos muestran el crudo y cruel dentido del amor y el sexo.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Destinee
5.0 out of 5 stars I cannot stress enough just how amazing this author is
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
I cannot stress enough just how amazing this author is. You don't see this kind of rawness and honesty in books anymore. I love reading, I always have, but I find it so hard to stay tuned into a book these days because I cannot relate to anything the author is saying. I have had people tell me that most books are just fiction anyway and that I am looking for too much in a book, but books can be fiction and still connect to you. Isn't that the point of writing? I really love how this author doesn't care what he says. I am sure there are many readers out there that had to put down this book because they thought he was "rude" or that his language was "too inappropriate," but those people must live in a bubble of happiness and rainbows because that's not life for 90% of us. I found myself connecting to these books so much because I felt and went through similar things. The last book I remember being this into was The Catcher in The Rye and since it mentions Holden, I feel it is appropriate to bring up a quote from the book that can explain exactly how Anonymous's books made me feel, "What really knocks me out is a book that when you're done reading it, you wish the author was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it." I do hear a lot of people complain about his writing style, but honestly, if you judge a book on how it's written and not what the words are saying, then you're missing out and you can have fun reading the well structured stuff that isn't anywhere near as good. All I am going to say is that his books are amazing. I see that it says fiction, but I honestly cannot wrap my head around that. You can't write stuff like this if you never went through something at least similar which I feel like makes these even more intriguing. I cannot wait for the third book and I honestly hope it is not his last. We need more authors like this these days or soon, literature really will die. READ THIS BOOK. READ DIARY OF AN OXYGEN THIEF. READ ALL OF IT. If you don't fall in love with it, then you're crazy. That's it :)
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Taylor Wallick
5.0 out of 5 stars Among a lot of rambling, my point is to buy this book.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
I had promised myself I would walk out of Barnes and Noble with only two books in hand, and I had nearly accomplished that difficult task because I was headed straight for the cash registers- when I passed a shelf with a black cover and poorly built snowman on it, I stopped. What caught my eye was the ANONYMOUS author. And that alone made me feel justified in picking up Diary Of An Oxygen Thief. That's not something you see often, or in my experience, ever, in the literary world.
I finished the first book in a bout of insomnia. Now on the back cover, FICTION is clearly labeled at the top. As with Chameleon In A Candy Store. But after reading both of these books, I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the possibility that this story, these characters, these words, are merely a tale of imagination (and genius story telling). After both books, I proceeded to search the internet for whatever I could find on the author.
In reading this book, I understand what Holden Caulfield meant in saying, "What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though."
It's a story about the real world and the people in it. And it doesn't stray from any hard truths. And while some may find parts of it sad, disturbing, or even uncalled for, I think it's quite enduring.
So buy the book. If you've ever once thought to yourself, "I must be a terrible person for thinking this way...", you will not regret it this purchase.
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jenna
5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative and insightful
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
"Chameleon in a Candy Store" is the sequel to the ever-beloved "Diary of an Oxygen Thief." An absolute page-turner, I finished both books in a day each. The book provides insight into the mind of those who are aloof or distant. Highlighting the ugliness and urgency of dating in the modern day. The author, anonymous, actually did market "Diary of an Oxygen Thief" as was discussed in the final section (section 3) of this work. There is an underlying honesty and openness in this series, third book coming soon (!), that is not seen often anymore. An alcoholic turned sex addict, the urgency to find a place in the world while still remaining relatively unseen and unnoticed, definitely worth a read! I'll admit these books are not for everyone, as the narrator is not exactly always likable. Oftentimes using women to fill a void, while subsequently filling theirs. However, the sheer honesty and vulnerability of the narrator makes them lovable. As it is possible to love someone but not like them very much. Again, definitely worth a read. Anonymous' two books are among my favorites.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Delaney
4.0 out of 5 stars Where’s the photographer’s assistant?
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
I’ve always said DOAOT & now CIACS are not “good” books. There’s nothing good about the main character. Which is what we all find so intriguing about him. There is nothing in comparison to these books. Anonymous is an entity to himself, which again, adds more mystery and intrigue to the books themselves.
The second book was slightly disappointing in the sense that anonymous became obsessed with multiple girls, when the whole point of the first book was that he rarely fell in love, and the girl who broke him in the end served him what he’d fed so many others: heartbreak. But anonymous doesn’t even talk about her in this book? I guess I was hoping for more.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Does not disappoint
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
After finishing the first book i was wondering whether the second diary could disappoint. After all it is a second and we all know that for most movies, their second parts are rather disappointing, however this book just like the first one did not disappoint. Just as brutal as the first one Mr Anonymous manages to “take your breath away and spit it right back in your face” while managing to pull one of the greatest marketing schemes i’ve read about. After finishing it i can’t help but think weather I might have fallen a victim to a well maneuvered marketing scheme as well or was it just fate that brought my attention to it.
Customer image
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Does not disappoint
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2020
After finishing the first book i was wondering whether the second diary could disappoint. After all it is a second and we all know that for most movies, their second parts are rather disappointing, however this book just like the first one did not disappoint. Just as brutal as the first one Mr Anonymous manages to “take your breath away and spit it right back in your face” while managing to pull one of the greatest marketing schemes i’ve read about. After finishing it i can’t help but think weather I might have fallen a victim to a well maneuvered marketing scheme as well or was it just fate that brought my attention to it.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
One person found this helpful
 Report
J
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and heady
Reviewed in Canada on March 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
So this is the second book in the series, start off with Diary of an Oxygen Thief or you might be a little lost. It's dark ans amusing, I particularly liked the part about Canadian strippers being as I am Canadian and the peelers is always a fun time. While I personally enjoy these books, I can see how they're not everyone's cuppa. If you've never dealt with the situations written about, or you aren't a little depraved yourself, it could seem shocking and uncomfortable. Personally, the author reminds me of myself and that's why I enjoy his books so much. I relate.
Report
Rosario PaolellA
5.0 out of 5 stars a worth reading book
Reviewed in Italy on August 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
In a world where anyone hardly ever picks a book here is your chance to do it.
"Chameleon in a candy store" ascends with grace from hell, as it's dark, heavyh, rough. With no empathy Anonymous shows us not only the cruel reality of online dating but also a sad truth about ourselves. What do we exactly look for when we scroll trough the millions of people who'd like to chat with us? Company? Lust? Love? Attention. We want to prove that we are worth the attentions of everyone in the world. And when fulfilling our desires isn't enough anymore we want to become the object of other's desire. That's why the author, frustrated cause he may have found the "one" but doesn't exactly know how to feel, decides to create a female alter ego on a dating site, who will help him to sell his books. Cause after all, love is like selling products, and that's why between the pages of the author's adventures we'll find paragraphs about his advertisemet's ideas.
"Chameleon in a candy store" is one of that books that keeps you hooked up to the pages, not only or the story itself but also for the language used, which combines melancholy and sarcasm to guide us in a world where it gets harder to breathe "clean air", cause after reading both of the author's books you'll understand that after all we are just "oxygen thieves"
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Resonated with me in a way no other book has
Reviewed in Germany on April 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
The writing style of the author makes me feel like I'm having a one on one conversation with him as I'm reading it. The book is incredibly dark but yet so relatable at the same time. I find myself wondering if and how much of the writing is true. I can't wait for the next one! This book isn't for everyone, but if you're into deeply personal and raw literature this one is for you.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Len
4.0 out of 5 stars nah ja
Reviewed in Germany on November 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Fande das erste Buch besser
One person found this helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report