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Gossip Girl (Gossip Girl #1)

3.41 of 5 stars 3.41 · rating details · 23,438 ratings · 1,546 reviews

Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep--sometimes with each other.

S is back from boarding school, and if we aren't careful, she's going to win over our teachers, wear that dress we couldn't fit into, steal our boyfriends' hearts, and basically ruin our lives in a major way. I'll be watching closely...

You know...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published April 1st 2002 by Poppy

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Mar 20, 2008 Madeline rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: don-t-judge-me, crap-tastic, kids-and-young-adult, ugh

The following is a public service announcement sponsored by The Committee For Teens Who Read Real Books:
Attention teenage girls! Looking for a book to read for your English class, but don't know where to start? I know what you're thinking: you want to read about fashion and celebrities, but Seventeen doesn't count as a book (like, how unfair is that?!). You want a book that doesn't have a plot (too confusing) but J.D. Salinger is too complicated. What to do?
Fear not, dear readers: Gossip Girl h...more

171 likes · like · see review

Sep 24, 2007 Larissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kinder, 2007, usa, young-adult

During the particularly bleak summer of my 11th year, I spent a month hiding from my wicked step-mother in the basement bedroom I shared with my sister. No TV, no movies, and very little radio reception meant I read more than usual, and when I went through my own summer reading, I started borrowing from my sister, whose taste ran mostly to Goosebumps and Choose Your Own Adventure books (which were, admittedly, totally awesome). But she did have some racier titles tucked away. The book I remember...more During the particularly bleak summer of my 11th year, I spent a month hiding from my wicked step-mother in the basement bedroom I shared with my sister. No TV, no movies, and very little radio reception meant I read more than usual, and when I went through my own summer reading, I started borrowing from my sister, whose taste ran mostly to Goosebumps and Choose Your Own Adventure books (which were, admittedly, totally awesome). But she did have some racier titles tucked away. The book I remember in particular was about a girl who got run over by her best friend after sleeping with the friend's boyfriend while high as a kite on strawberry-flavored hash. The dead girl then somehow inhabits the body of her murderous friend and spends the book trying to figure out how she died, while intermittently having second-hand, multi-positional sex with the newly reunited couple.

It was disturbing and sexy and taboo and I read it twice in one day.

What's the point of all this, you ask? The point is this: Given the alluring, soft-lit ads that the CW has been spinning out about the new Gossip Girl TV show, I was really hoping the book would have that same sort of effect. I was hoping that somewhere out there, a sheltered teenage girl was hiding this book under her mattress and pulling it out in secret to learn about blow jobs and pot smoking and underage drinking.

To be fair, Gossip Girl does cover this ground amply--its debauched youths smoke French cigarettes on the steps of the MET, drink cosmos and vodka tonics in swank hotel bars, molest each other, sleep around, and buy pot in Central Park. Unfortunately, though, the sense of taboo is lost. Don't get me wrong--I'm not asking for moralizing. I just think it takes away a lot of the fun when no limits are being defied. These kids don't have to steal liquor from their parents' cabinets--they buy them at members-only, A-list clubs. They don't have surreptitious sex in the back of parked cars--they get seduction advice from their parent's lovers. If I had read this as a teenager, I wouldn't have had anything to live vicariously through. It would simply have been too unimaginable that I could possibly experience anything that these uber-cool semi-adults do.

My other qualm (well, main qualm--I have limited space here) is the overall irony of the book. Cecily Von Ziegesar (what an appropriate name, no?) gets it--Her anonymous gossip-blogger gets it. Her artsy outcast reading Camus on the traffic island gets it. Her rebel-turned-reject heroine gets it. And they're all above it, too. Beautiful wild-child Serena may be so worried about her future that she 'can't taste her Tic Tacs,' but at the end of the day, she still knows how to play the game: "She could keep up with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Joaquin Phoenix. No Problem." The outcast may succumb to his fantasies of what it would be like to escort a rich girl to a benefit party while wearing an Armani suit, but he'll end up taking the suit back to the department store before he makes a fool of himself. This is exactly the problem. They know too much to make fools of themselves. Even when they fuck up--even when they sleep with their best friend's boyfriend, when they spend a night vomiting on themselves in their own bed--there's no embarrassment, no regret. Nothing at stake. They're still beautiful and rich and savvy no matter what, and they'll always get what they want eventually.

Not for nothing though, Gossip Girl still includes such gem observations as "Blair...gap[ed] at Nate's hard-on. It looked like it was going to take over the world," and may be able to single-handedly re-educate us fogeys on the multitudinous uses of the word 'slut.' So that's gotta count for something. Thx, GG!(less)

30 likes · like · see review

Aug 17, 2007 Renee Cahill rated it 1 of 5 stars

i thought about giving this book five stars, not because it's so great, but because i think everyone with daughters should at least look at it -- my 14 year old has devoured all eight or nine in the series (good god!) and i felt like i ought to know what she was reading. gossip girl is absolutely the biggest piece of crap i've ever slogged through, but, that said, i did finish it, mostly out of a horrified curiosity at what interests 9th graders these days. it really was absolute dreck -- by pag...more

22 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2008 La Petite Américaine added it Recommends it for: The recycle bin

Recommended to La Petite Américaine by: Free torrnet download online

Shelves: sucked

Look. I don't want to sound too much like Tipper Gore in the 80's, or too much like Maude Flanders of The Simpsons, tearing out my hair and screeching "WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!?!?" ... but this book? Are you fucking kidding me? Have teenagers really grown up so much in the 9 years since I was one, when I was content with R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike, and scandalized by Sweet Valley High? I mean, COME ON.

Not only is this book written with the intelligence of a monkey on acid, there's just some...more

13 likes · like · see review

Aug 16, 2008 Tiny Pants rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, series

I don't seem to much like actual teenage girls. Then again, the Gossip Girl characters don't act much like actual teenage girls. Or actual humans really. They are all basically insane in their own individual ways. The main character, Blair, is probably the most insane. I think the reader is possibly intended to be sympathetic to her, but it's never been clear to me why. She's obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, throwing up all her food, and the fact that she is consistently outdone by Serena, her best...more

6 likes · like · see review

Aug 17, 2012 Bluesequin rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's one thing that you must accept before you read these books: lives like those written about in Gossip Girl exist. And I know this because I live it. Granted, I'm much more like the Jenny Humphrey type who witnesses the drama from the outside, but I still hear about it. And yes, that's what the "popular" kids do. They rent limos and get drunk or high in them on their way to Manhattan clubs where they then hook up with all their friends and their friends' friends. What you wear defines you,...more

12 likes · like · see review

May 26, 2008 Courtney rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, abandoned, tv_movie, fiction, poop_shelf

This is very possibly the worst book I have ever read. The author clearly knows nothing about 16 year olds aside from what she's seen in horrible television shows (all the ones just like the show this series spawned). The characters are all 2 dimensional and predictable - all super hot, super trendy, super rich, super popular and few if any have any redeeming qualities. Even the kids who are supposed to be 'different' are cookie-cutter 'artsy kids' who spend all their time sitting in corners bro...more

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Jan 16, 2008 Niki rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Girls/Teens

The book Gossip Girl the first of the Gossip Girl series written by Cecily Von Ziegesar, was one of the best books i have ever read. The gossip girl series is already my favorite series, and ive only read the first book. The most important characters in the series so far are Blair, who is a down to earth teen, who loves to party and has a skater boyfriend. Blair's boyfriend's name is Nate. He is into drugs and he isnt the best in school, but blair still loves him. The book goes on about the peak...more The book Gossip Girl the first of the Gossip Girl series written by Cecily Von Ziegesar, was one of the best books i have ever read. The gossip girl series is already my favorite series, and ive only read the first book. The most important characters in the series so far are Blair, who is a down to earth teen, who loves to party and has a skater boyfriend. Blair's boyfriend's name is Nate. He is into drugs and he isnt the best in school, but blair still loves him. The book goes on about the peaks and downfalls of their relationship, and all the drama between them. Serena is a young girl who made lots of bad choices, she went to boarding school, and got kicked out because of some of her mistakes. Serena and Blair used to be best friends before Serena went off to boarding school, but ever since she came back, nothing has been the same. Serena came back expecting to come back to what she had left off, but she came across that she was totally wrong. Blair had heard things about what she did a boarding school and she wasnt interested in being friends with her anymore. Serena finally got the hint and moved on, trying to find some friends on her own. This was tough for Serena, she was known as the prettiest, richest, and smartest girl in her single-sex private school, Constance Billard, in New Yorks Upper East Side, but still couldnt seem to find a friend.

The main idea of the book basically goes on about their senior year of highschool and all the drama that comes with it. All the highschool parties have its own drama that gets so majorly interesting. Serena finally finds someone when she tries out for a part in a movie a girl in her grade was doing. His name was Dan. Dan was smart, funny, and charming. It was love at first sight. Serena and Dan went on dates and hung out together frequently after they met, Serena had never known Dan but Dan remembered her from before she left, he has had a crush on her since middle school. Serena really liked Dan and they continue to like eachother throughout the rest of the book.

Blair and Nate are having problems a lot towards the end of the book. They get in fights, they scream at eachother, then the next day they are fine and cuddiling together, and then something comes up. Its a big something! Nate tells Blair something big, Blair gets so mad she couldnt see straight. What could it be, what did Nate confess to Blair? Do Blair and Nate stay together?

Read gossip girl and your bound to find out!!!(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2007 Kate rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Masochists bent on understanding Kids Today

Shelves: ls583, city-reads, guilty-pleasures, library-school, pop-culture, ya-fic

I really wanted to like this book. In fact, I expected to devour it. I heard the author speak on a panel at ALA this year and found her articulate, charming, and thoughtful about her series. Many of my co-workers at a suburban library hated the Gossip Girl books because of their vapid influence on already spoiled readers, but I wanted to give the books a chance. I’m sorry to say that I have to agree with my colleagues, even as someone whose guilty pleasure is reading highly speculative celebrity...more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 29, 2007 Merrin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult, duds

I can't remember the last time I was this horrified by a series of young adult novels. I mean, no, I'm not naive and stupid and yes, I do realize that there are teens out there like this (My Super Sweet Sixteen, anybody?) but honestly, just because they're out there doesn't mean they need to be immortalized in quite this fashion. They're selfish, self-centered, interested only in drinking and drugs and what the world can do for them, and there's nothing in the book that checks that lifestyle and...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2009 Molly rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't seem to much like actual teenage girls. Then again, the Gossip Girl characters don't act much like actual teenage girls. Or actual humans really. They are all basically insane in their own individual ways. The main character, Blair, is probably the most insane. I think the reader is possibly intended to be sympathetic to her, but it's never been clear to me why. She's obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, throwing up all her food, and the fact that she is consistently outdone by Serena, her best...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 20, 2013 Jord¥n rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: older teens

Shelves: young-adult, lmao, eh-twas-ok, guilty-pleasures, sex-sex-sex, snobby-bitches, stupid-main-character, drama-drama-drama

I can see why a ton of people hate these books. The main characters are complete airheads, they drink, smoke weed, have a lot of sex, and swear. I for one liked this book because its light, you really don't have to think about a lot, and its freaking funny as hell. I do, however, love the show even more.

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Myra Khan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-to-buy

In New York's Upper East Side, there live the people that have it all. They're the ones wearing the name brand gorgeous clothes you could never afford. They're the ones that look amazing without even trying. They're the ones that have all the money in the world and use it to their advantage. They're also the ones you hate.

Due to my habit of frequenting used book stores, I somehow always came across a random Gossip Girl novel. Soon enough, I owned most of the collection- except for book #1. I fi...more In New York's Upper East Side, there live the people that have it all. They're the ones wearing the name brand gorgeous clothes you could never afford. They're the ones that look amazing without even trying. They're the ones that have all the money in the world and use it to their advantage. They're also the ones you hate.

Due to my habit of frequenting used book stores, I somehow always came across a random Gossip Girl novel. Soon enough, I owned most of the collection- except for book #1. I finally went ahead and checked it out at the library and sat down to read it. I really enjoyed this book, but this is why I think I did:

1) I had zero expectations. The blurb on the back and the cover made me think of the Pretty Little Liars series. I tried to read those books. I also tried to watch the tv show. The former was so terrible that it turned me off towards the latter. And so when I started Gossip Girl, that's what I was expecting. But the writing turned out to be surprisingly good. Definitely not a masterpiece and definitely not something that will wow you, but based on the expectations I had, it was good.

2) I was expecting something unbelievably racy and R-rated. This was THE book when I was 14. It was supposed to have all these horrible things in it, I distinctly remember my geography teacher reading the back and saying, "We have THIS in OUR library? :O". I didn't know what to expect. Reading it NOW though, I realize that it's really...harmless. Not a whole lot happens in that regard. I liked that.

3) The characters were much more developed than I initially thought. I feared the flat, two-dimensional characters found in the Pretty Little Liars. These girls (and guys) had a lot more to them. I also LOVED the narrator, "Gossip Girl". She was sarcastic, witty, and snarky, but her take on things was accurate. I loved how she would interrupt her own storytelling with her thoughts.

Is this a book that will change your life? No. Is this a book that's meant for deep thinking? No. Is this something that will stay with you long after? No. BUT is it some light, fluffy, fun that's good for a Sunday morning? Sure. I'll read the rest of the series just because they're so easy and effortless. No thinking required. :) (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 30, 2010 Sara rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: nobody - watch the TV show instead!

Shelves: 2008, 3rd-person-omniscient, chick-lit, fiction, hated-it, series, tv-series

How can I love the show so much, but think the books are horribly written and duller than dishwasher? I don't know how that can be, but obviously Josh Schwartz is a better TV producer/whatever he does than Ceceily Von Ziegesar is an author. It's funny because before I read the GG, I read Stephen King's memoir "On Writing" and CVZ pretty much does everything SK says writer's shouldn't do. Over explosion of adjectives? Check. Unnecessary descriptions of non-entity characters and clothes? Check. (T...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2009 Christina rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, young-adult

Gossip Girl -- the television series more than the book -- has to be one of the most popular topics amongst my female classmates. Interested in finding out what all the chatter was about, I checked out the first book in this bestselling series from the library.

I should have just avoided it like I did in the first place. Gossip Girl is plain trash, and serves only as a glorification of a life few do and should lead. The main characters -- rich and beautiful Blair Waldorf and rich and beautiful Se...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 14, 2008 Meghan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cecily Vonziegesar wrote the book Gossip Girl. It is a fictional book that is about a group of kids living in New York. Theses kids either go to an all girls school or an all boys school in the Upper East Side. They live in huge, fancy apartment buildings, buy expensive things, and do whatever they want. (As long as they don’t embarrass their family.) When Serena Vanderwoodsen came back from “boarding school” she quickly realizes things are not the same as they used to be. Her old best friend-B...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 20, 2007 Peds rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series

So my first review since my friend invited me to Goodreads is this book. It is my guilty pleasure, obviously. Before you judge me for reading the series (yes, I am addicted and I do have all the GG books), let's see what the book offers.

The series begins with this pilot edition. The main character, interestingly, remains anonymous. Going by the obvious name, Gossip Girl keeps the reader updated on what is going on in a New York clique of rich, beautiful people who think that the world is at thei...more

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Jan 26, 2008 Amber Kozlowski rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: daydreaming girls with no sense of reality

Shelves: chick-lit, young-adult

Ugh. I read this in a few hours, and it's pretty horrendous. I found a few punctuation mistakes—without looking, which bothers me—like "...Cyrus Rose was a completely annoying, fat, loser." Honestly; that's one of the first things you learn about punctuation.

It's a book about a bunch of sixteen- and seventeen-year-old kids who are richer than rich, go to private school in New York, and are, of course, immensely popular. It's written like a cheap fantasy, complete with overt descriptions of the h...more

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Sep 18, 2007 Rhiannon rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

I sort of feel guilty rating this book so low because it fulfilled my expectations - it was a quick, trashy young adult read that gave me an idea of what the (probably) trashy teen CW show will be like.

But, this is really not a good book. The characters aren't really developed (although I did find myself oddly charmed by a couple of them), and there are major POV issues.

And this is the main issue with the book - it relies on a conceit that's really underdeveloped. The narrative is peppered with...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 20, 2008 Chelsea rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: anti-recs, youngadult, contemporaryfiction, 2008, own, othermedia, reread

I picked this up at a book sale, determined to give it another chance. I was disgusted by it when I first read it in 2004, but I got drawn in to the television show based on the series, and wondered if I had just been in one of my "anti-fluff" phases. Maybe it was more entertaining than I remembered.

Well, it wasn't by much. For a book where the whole point is that it's all SCANDAL and OMG and DRAMA, not much happened. There was plenty of rehashing of previous events, but in this book Serena retu...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 10, 2007 Vief rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, englishbooks, favourites

I had wanted to read the books before but never really found them in English. Then I got hooked on the TV show so I just HAD to get them, got them from all over the place.. I started and felt that the TV-screenplay-writers had done a real good job with a lot of things.

What I didn't like about the book itself
a] that it's set in the UES yet the web address is .co.uk = doesn't make sense
b] that it's kind of slow
c] that some of the characters aren't really worked out
d] that little happens, then ever...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 12, 2007 Stephan rated it 1 of 5 stars

I read this book in my local Raleys grocery store.

(a) It was available in a Raleys

(b) I could quickly read it (and I'm usually not a particularly fast reader) during the course of shopping

I thought it was utter garbage.

However, I realize I am not the target market. If you are addicted to spicing up your pathetic life by living vicariously through others' titillating encounters whilst simultaneously feeling smug about your perceived moral superiority, so much so that you've exhausted the details...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2008 Tim rated it 1 of 5 stars

A student left a copy of this book in my room, and one afternoon I picked it up and read it. While I'm sad to say that I probably stuck with it for 100 pages or more, I couldn't have been less thrilled. The way this book glamourizes drugs,sex and alcohol makes me realize why TV is getting as bad as it is. I don't know why young women would want to read about such shallow, tawdry lives. Perhaps I just don't get it because I'm not "in the demo", but unless the point is to show how sad and empty th...more

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Aug 25, 2007 Kel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

I've been wanting to read the Gossip Girl series because I'm interested in the television series that is coming out this fall... Then I found out that my local library now has eBooks and Audio Books that can be checked out online. I have discovered now what a joy an Audio Book can be in the life of a knitter. I sat and listened to this entire book and knitted the whole time... bliss!

The book itself was cute, very short but a great introduction to the series and I'm definitely hooked. It's teena...more

1 like · like · see review

May 10, 2011 Sonia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: serie

Ok, lo so. E' una cavolata. Mi vergognavo di averlo comprato e di averlo letto. ho fatto tutto di nascosto! ma ora lo ammetto pubblicamente: ho letto e continuerei a leggere gossip girl! e non perchè questo libro sia chissà cosa (anzi...) ma perchè la serie tv mi è piaciuta (nonostante la mia non adolescenziale età) ed ero curiosa di leggere le storie da cui era tratta.
Credevo che il telefilm fosse stato fedelissimo, mentre ci sono davvero un bel po' di discrepanze e non ne capisco il motivo: p...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Erica - Bonner Springs Library rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: romance fans, teenagers

Recommended to Erica - by: YA Lit syllabus - Spring 2009

Shelves: 2009, high-school, ya, guilty-pleasure, school-reading, 2008

May 2008 What a fun read. It's totally a guilty-pleasure read that's a bit more involved than the tv show Gossip Girl. I had to find out why this book was hardly ever on the shelves when I worked at the public library. Now I know. It's a romance novel with training wheels for teenagers. Product placement is definitely present and a bit obvious at times. If you're a fan of the show or just like a good romance novel, this is definitely for you. I'd heard once that Gossip Girl is the Sex & The...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Jamea rated it 1 of 5 stars

I could not finish reading this book. My interest was never really captured in the first few pages I've tried to read. I tried, but evidently this book isn't at all as good as it's hyped up to be. The premise seemed interesting enough from what I heard, but like I said it wasn't as good as I thought it to be.

One thing that really bothered me was the writing. I honestly don't mean this to sound rude but, it wasn't that good. That's the reason as to why Io struggled to read through the book.

Also,...more

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Jan 17, 2009 Lee Ann rated it 1 of 5 stars

I picked this up after reading a critical analysis of three series: Gossip Girl, The A List, and The Insiders (Glenn, 2008. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 52:1). I hadn't heard of these series or the Gossip Girl television series.

Glenn doesn't look very favorably on these three series. They all take a look at the lives of the rich and privileged. I have a somewhat different take, at least on the first of the Gossip Girl books. I didn't read this as an endorsement of the privileged lif...more

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May 15, 2013 Bri Dettlaff rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book “Gossip Girl”, the first of the Gossip Girl series written by Cecily Von Ziegesar, was one of the best books i have ever read.. It was exactly what I thought it would be, but better. This book is the definition of a “chick flick.” It’s all about living in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and being involved in all the gossip and drama that these families have while they adapt to their high class lifestyle. Cecily Von Ziegesar is a genius in the eyes of teenage girls. Her main style is w...more The book “Gossip Girl”, the first of the Gossip Girl series written by Cecily Von Ziegesar, was one of the best books i have ever read.. It was exactly what I thought it would be, but better. This book is the definition of a “chick flick.” It’s all about living in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and being involved in all the gossip and drama that these families have while they adapt to their high class lifestyle. Cecily Von Ziegesar is a genius in the eyes of teenage girls. Her main style is writing about high class teenagers in an A- List society. The book often mentions realistic places they are at, for example, on the MET steps, the NYC library, or Grand Central Station. I like when she mentions places I know, because that makes the book feel more realistic.

The most important characters in the series are Serena and Blair, the best friends who fight and make up in almost every chapter. One of the friends, Blair, is a Yale- Obsessed teen who is also down to earth when it comes to things she cares about. She loves to party and has a skater boyfriend named Nate. She is also the character that most readers become OBSESSED with. Serena on the other hand, is unrealistic. Not that I don’ completely ADORE her, (because I do), she just seems to perfect to be real. Cecily describes her as “The girl every boy wants, and every girl wants to be.” The girl who once had a terrible reputation turns her life around and is basically known for throwing amazing parties and being the most beautiful girl in the Upper East Side. There are many other secondary characters in the books, but these are definitely the ones you need to be aware of if you are planning to read it.

Usually when you start the book, you instantly become hooked. I finished the first three books in a week. If you like the obvious teen love/partying/drama novels, you will LOVE this series. Most of the books end in a party or a fight, which is another great style of Cecilys, where she successfully leaves you hanging until you have to read the next one. I recommend this series to most highschool girls who love to read teenage novels. If you’ve read any of Meg Cabot’s or Jen Canolita’s books, you’d like this series as well.
(less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Martina Stoyanova rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: don-t-even-try

I don't even know why I decided to read the book. I think curiosity was my main motivation. I used to be a fan of TV show back when it first started but I soon ditched it due to the sheer ridiculousness and DRAMA of it all. Gossip Girl is both different and the same as the TV show but I guess that's a given. I have this problem with those characters; I can't relate to them. And as you know, this is a Big Deal.

Cecily von Ziegesar has created this glamorous world of beautiful, rich, unreachable k...more I don't even know why I decided to read the book. I think curiosity was my main motivation. I used to be a fan of TV show back when it first started but I soon ditched it due to the sheer ridiculousness and DRAMA of it all. Gossip Girl is both different and the same as the TV show but I guess that's a given. I have this problem with those characters; I can't relate to them. And as you know, this is a Big Deal.

Cecily von Ziegesar has created this glamorous world of beautiful, rich, unreachable kids that live without any sort of regard for anything . I find it hard to relate to their freedom, to the way they live their lives, to the way they act and think.

Serena is completely apathetic towards everything. No, I really felt like she had no emotions or reaction to anything, or it was simply becaause Ziegesar couldn't write them well. I felt bored by her narration. Here's a girl who can have everything. She's presented with so many opportunities and instead of reaching out and taking them, she does nothing. She literary lives to party, have sex, backstab her friends and play the victim. I mean, when she was wondering why Blair wasn't talking to her - the whole time I felt my face twitching because SURELY no one is that clueless? Also, I got sick of reading about how beautiful she is after the second time someone described her otherworldly beauty in detail. I can't relate to that sort of person because; a) I'm not ridiculously beautiful and people don't bow in my feet and bend backwards to please me. Frankly, I have a trouble imagining this happening in real life anyway. b) If I had the opportunity to go a super exclusive high school where I supposedly get the best education possible, if I had the opportunity to get in an Ivy League University and if I had the luxury of having so much money I can basically study whatever the hell I want - I'd fucking take it. c)Serena is a robot.

My problem with Blair was this; she had so many opportunities to tell Serena to fuck off. She had so many opportunities to call her on her shit and tell her what the fucking problem was. But, no. Every single interaction of theirs went like this; Serena being clueless and not understanding why Blair was being so mean to her, Blair keeping quiet most of the time and only saying a few nasty words from time to time that don't really impress Serena in any way because she continues to try and be friends with Blair again.

(To be honest, I'm not sure if Serena even feels guilty about sleeping with Nate and being in love with Nate while he was with her supposed best friend. As I said, robot.)

Nate was ridiculously alike his TV character. He never knows what he wants, never takes control over his live and doesn't like to take responsibility for his own actions. Basically, he's spineless, rich pretty boy with a cardboard personality that makes girls swoon for some reason.

We see a little bit of Chuck but he's basically a slimy asshole who likes to force himself on girls, drink, get high and troll with everybody whenever the opportunity arises.

Jenny was.. I don't know. I liked her the most in the TV show and I guess I kind of liked her in the book, too. We don't see much of her, so I can't really say a lot about her except that she didn't make my face twitch like Serena, so I guess that's a plus in her favour.

Dan was just.. pathetic. There pretty much summed up his entire persona in the book.

This is all I have to say about this book. Needless to say, I won't be reading the second one.

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About Cecily von Ziegesar

Cecily grew up in Manhattan and went to an all-girl's school on the Upper East Side.
She resides in Brooklyn with her husband Richard, the Deputy Director of the Public Art Fund, their children, Agnes and Oscar, and their two Cornish Rex cats. Von Ziegesar also owns an Appaloosa horse, Golden Rain. She is dreams of having a 'ranch full of cattle' when retired.

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All I Want is Everything (Gossip Girl, #3)

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