Gossip Girl (Gossip Girl #1)

Reader reviewed by linda

The fabulous life of teens in New York City's Upper East Side, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and Prada purses. With some commentary from the mysterious Gossip Girl, the lives of the rich and fabulous are displayed. I loved the whole series, but some girls may be turned off by some parts. It's mostly about the lives of girls who go to the same school and the lives of their boyfriends. There's partying, and a lot of gossip, what else could a girl want?
Reprinted here with author's permission

Reader reviewed by Brooke

This series is like a teen soap-opra. It follows the lives of rich teens. The book was kind of hard to follow with all of the relationships and different people. I didn't feel that I could relate to any of the characters which is a big reason I didn't care for the book. Also, I would not recommend this book for younger readers due to the foul language used throughout. If you like the TV show Laguna Beach then I think you'll like this series.

Reader reviewed by Christine

'Gossip Girl' by Cecily Von Ziegesar is about teenage life in New York City. The deceiving, scandal, and back stabbing. At first I thought it to be just like any other rich girl book, but I really ended up enjoying it. The other gossip girl books are just as good too. Read them all.

Reader reviewed by Lashan

The book to me sounds like life today. You have your popular kids then you have the not so popular ones. The book has a great effect on teenagers, it basically describes how they react to each other. It just needs a stronger meaning.

Reader reviewed by Fiona Flamingo

Gossip Girl
Everybody is talking about it! Its like a faint, gentle buzzing in your ear-gossip its all around us! Enter into the realm of Gossip Girl-a place where jealousy, betrayal, guilt, hurt, and wealth are the main aspects of New York Citys Upper East Side life. The Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a group of teens through a clever web-format (as well as text) and an anonymous web-mistress a.k.a Gossip Girl. The characters are sharply etched and the book has the same effect as gossip itself-it draws you in so deep, its hard to stop reading the series! Cecily von Ziegesar has created a catty, engrossing and original series about gossip and peoples lives.
I think the book could have been crafted more carefully. The books seem to drag on at some points, repeating the same thing over and over again. Also, I wish the author would describe more in detail on what effect gossip has on the characters in the book; that part doesnt seem very well thought-out. Another the thing is, although believable, the characters seem 2 dimensional. They have no other life then partying, shopping, boyfriends or girlfriends. I find it repetitive and slightly boring. One volume in the series Youre the One I want did cover the aspects of college education and acceptance in universities. I found that sequel the most engaging one.
One thing I find makes the book slightly suspenseful, is the identity of Gossip Girl. Even after six or seven books, the readers are unclear on who it is. This will keep the series going for a few more books, in my opinion.
Overall, the books are a satisfactory read. For readers who enjoy realistic books and a lot of teen angst-this book might be a good pick. The series, although not completely flawless, will have you hooked. Its guilty pleasure-perfect for the summer.
You know you love me,
Gossip girl

Reader reviewed by Sara E.

I'd seen the book around, thought seriously about getting it, but decided against it since I usually don't like a lot of chick lit. It was on sale one day though, so I just got it for the heck of it and finally read it. I am thankful I did. Even though its just as cheesy as most other chick lit books, I loved it. Probably because the element of gossip. It was addicting, and as the jacket said, it has the effect of gossip itself. You can get involved in the world guilt-free. Following the lives of the Upper East Siders and all the scandalous situations they find themselves in, this book is sure to entertain. It's hilarious and the anonymous gossip girl herself is a treat.

Blair and Vanessa are probably my favorite characters throughout the book. To be honest, I think - and this is my only complaint - that the other characters are pretty dull, airhead types, that are lacking personality.

Reader reviewed by alesha

the book gossip girls was a great entertainer. i just couldnt put down the book with out reading till the end of the chapter. there were so many things going on between people that you were so interested you needed to know. the book i would say is for the ages of 12 and older. i say that , there is some foul language in it.

i think that every girl or person that reads these books would relate to it.

Reader reviewed by val

GOSSIP GIRL!

I love the characters in gossip girl, but i don't like the way it was written because it kinda doesn't have a sense in it. It's just about parties, and their love life, but when i checked out the tv series, i learned to like it.
Gossip Girl gives you the exclusive pass to Manhattan and will make you WANT to live in Manhattan!

Reader reviewed by Sara

Within the covers of this book you'll find the juciest gossip on the most interesting girls on New York's Upper East Side. You "enter the world of Gossip Girl - a world inhabited by the city's most fabulous crowd; a world of jealousy, betrayal, and naughty pictures on the sides of buses".

When I first saw and heard about the Gossip Girl books I wasn't that interested. My sister wanted to read them though, so I bought the first one. At first I wasn't that into it... and then it caught me, as I've heard these books are known to do. Now I think I might be addicted. I think it might have something to do with the fact that reading about there messed up lives makes me not think about my messed up life, whatever it is though, the gossip is good. I can't help wondering, who is Gossip Girl? Do we know her as a character, or is she just a quiet bystander in the drama? I'm not sure that this is really that appropriate for younger, middle school girls, due to the fact that some might not understand that the behavior of most of these girls is not good. I'm sure some younger girls will be able to handle it well though.

Reader reviewed by Sharon

This book is the kind of book you either love or hate there is no in between. Its set in Upper East side of manhattan and the main characters are the Creme de la Creme the snottiest richest and prettist of them all. Even thought all of them are in high school their problems aren't about school or college its whose best friend is sleeping with whose current boyfriend. It gets boring after a couple of books in the series and the t.v. series is waayy better than the books.