Gossip Girl #1: A Novel (Gossip Girl Series)

This book was filled with drama and romance and all the things teen girls love to read about. I read it at age 14 and I liked it a lot. However, some things could be improved, and that is why I gave it 4 stars.

This book is the first book of an eleven book series. The whole series follows the life of the elite New York Upper East Side teenagers. It is a great read for anyone who enjoys a little drama and gossip!

The book starts out where the prequel, which was written after Cecily Von Ziegesar wrote the series, left off. It has been a year since Serena left New York for Hanover Academy Boarding School. But now she's back and there are millions of he said she said stories flying around about her. "Where has she been?", "Why is she back?", and "What kind of trouble did she get into that she got kicked out of boarding school?".

Now that Serena's back she is trying to get things back to normal in all her friendships, but there is on problem. Blair doesn't want her back she liked being on top of the social ladder instead of trailing behind Serena like she used to. Nathan and her are still in an awkward state with each other since there sexual endeavor before she left. But she finds comfort in the West Sider Dan, who has had a thing for her since eight grade.

This book goes through the gotta be at Kiss on the Lips party and the drama that unfolds with the whole gang of Upper East Siders, Serena, Blair, Nate, Chuck, Dan, Jenny, and Vanessa.

I can't wait to read the next one and see what scandalous events will happen next!

I read this book in honor of ALA Banned Book Week, and while I don't believe any book should be banned, I don't think this book should ever have been published. It was filled with typos and out-and-out grammatical errors that made me cringe every time I came across a new one.

The characters were ALL flat, and while I felt a marginal amount of pity for the main character, I couldn't put myself in her shoes and feel any kind of sympathy for her. The book was just poorly written. It was like watching a bad teen movie but takes more of a time commitment.

Instead, pick up a book worth your time like The Princess Diaries Box Set, Volumes I-III (Princess Diaries) by Meg Cabot, or if you really need to read about a poor little rich girl, you can't beat Gingerbread, Shrimp and Cupcake by Rachel Cohn. I mean, even Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz are better than this.

The Upper East Side used to be overrun with plastic surgery happy society women, and spoiled tots torturing their high-priced nannies. But times have changed. While these people still occupy a small portion of the sidewalks, they have been pushed aside for a new generation of beautiful people. Teenagers brought up in the lap of luxury, who spend their days buying overpriced La Perla undergarments at Barney's, and indulging in frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity. But spending money isn't all that's on their mind. There's always...gossip.

Ever since the flawless Serena van der Woodsen departed from New York City to take up residence at a boarding school in Connecticut, sixteen-year-old Blair Waldorf has ruled Constance Billard School for Girls. As the daughter of a prominent lawyer turned gay, Blair has always gotten her way. And, with Serena out of the picture, was able to snag the gorgeous, green-eyed Nate Archibald for herself. Unfortunately, as much as Blair would like to deny it, Nate has always had a thing for Serena. A secret passion for the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty. And now with Serena back in the picture, Blair doesn't know where their relationship will stand. So she has to take drastic measures...hand Nate her V card and he'll be hers forever. The only problem is that Nate is a stoner who has a very short attention span, and even sacrificing herself to Nate won't let him forget the passion he feels for Serena.

But he's not the only one. Dan Humphrey isn't your typical rich kid. For one, while he attends school with some of New York City's most privileged, he actually resides in an apartment on the Upper West Side with his chesty younger sister, Jenny, and his eccentric writer father, Rufus. Dan is a dark, brooding poet, whose penchant for cigarettes and Folgers coffee crystals leave much to be desired. But, like Nate, Dan is infatuated with Serena. The only difference is that he has never so much as spoken to her before, and she doesn't know he exists. Now that Serena's off the A-List, and treading outcast waters, however, the only thing he can hope is that she'll find her way to him and they can live happily ever after. In his dreams, of course.

Gossip is one of those things you can't help but be enamored with. Sure, you can pretend all you want that you have no interest in who's dating who, or who's wearing what, but you do. And you love it. Cecily von Ziegesar has managed to touch upon the hot commodity of gossip, and turned it into an amazing new series. Blair is so evil and mean at times, and while that may seem like something that would be a turn-off to the reader, she's actually an addicting character. Her ability to turn people against Serena in a snap is impressive; while the fact that she is able to juggle school, extracurricular's, a boyfriend, and ruining people's lives is humorous in a sinful way. Nate is a character who seems to have nothing between the ears. He's intelligent and gorgeous, however, the fact that he spends most of his time stoned makes him slightly bizarre, and a useless addition to the human race. But I still love him. Thus far, Serena is the most appealing character. She is kind, sweet, and selfless. She manages to ignore the nasty things people say about her, and keep a smile on her face no matter what situation she is thrust into. Basically, she's happy-go-lucky, and completely irresistible. Dan is an offbeat character, who reminds you of old, soulful beatnik poets who spent their days lounging around Greenwich Village in the 1960's. While he seems sweet, some of his poems are so serious and creepy that he can freak you out at times. But the kindness that he extends to his younger sister, Jenny, more than makes up for it; and actually leaves you rooting for the Humphrey family, in general. A delicious new series that will definitely give you something to talk about.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Salacious, overdramatic, juicy, scandalous, hot hot hot!
It's just plain fun. And I appreciate that C von Z has brought teen lit into the 21st century.