Gossip Girl

I actually watched the show before reading this and I was really disappointed. I sympathize with TV show Blair, TV show Chuck, and even TV show Serena. I wanted to smack all three of them in the book. The characters in the book as sooooo vapid. At least the TV show characters had thoughts in their heads. The only thoughts in the book characters' heads include and ONLY include shopping, partying, drinking, keeping their boyfriend, and staying as Queen Bee. And, this is the girl who wants to get into Yale. We get paragraphs and paragraphs of von Ziegesar describing their clothes. And, I'm sure no one has gone to party where they have designer bags as party favors. At least no one I know. The annoying part was that the characters all acted as if their lives were falling apart if they couldn't find the perfect dress or lost their Queen Bee status. Blair makes herself throw up because she feels that her best friend is prettier and is going to steal her boyfriend, and spreads obnoxious rumors about her. I think part of what makes Serena's character so sympathetic in the show, is that her younger brother was suicidal and she has to deal with her self-obsessed mom who insists on pretending he's vising aunt Carol in Miami instead of in a rehab center. She takes the public bullet for him, pretending she was the one who spent time in rehab when a rumor goes around. And the book Chuck is just dark and depressed and sleeping around because he can, not because he has a reason like in the show. And, of course, the stereotypes. Serena is a bubbly, blonde Barbie whom every guy has a crush on. Vanessa is a film maker that shaves her head and wears black. Dan is a poet with an unrequited crush, on Serena. Unfortunately, this was a 200 page book filled with pretty much nothing.

The Book on its own: The book reads very fast. The topic is - obviously - very drama filled and catty. However, it is funny and you really do feel like you are getting an insider's look at the life of rich youth running around New York. At its heart, the book is about high school cliques and the awkwardness and potentially-traumatizing period of growing up, but just from the point of view of a very upper class.

In regards to teens reading it, I think they'll find a life they secretly yearn for. Luckily for this book, there are interesting and different types of people, which makes it better for young adults in my opinion because it shows even if you are very wealthy you still have cliques and bullying, etc. Some are the situations are adult, so I wouldn't say it's great for really young adults, but for older teens it will really work well.

Compared to the series: I have only watched a bit of the series, but I think the series is more amusing and has developed the characters to be more lovable. The characters in the book are very strongly written and hard to fall in love with, but on the show you find yourself loving them all. I think the books might be more true to life (purging, cattiness, etc.), but in terms of entertainment, I do prefer the series. ( )

I was pleasently surprised by this one. I just read it out of curiosity, but ended up quite enjoying it. It was definitely a fun, light distraction after a long day. The characters are all superficial and egotistical, but somewhat addictive. It wasn't great but it was all right ( )

Illustrated Review:
Obviously this is good for someone; it sold a bazillion copies and had a ton of sequels and a television show (still on the air). But I … Continue reading → ( )

It reads like a TV show. There's not really an arc of story, it just feels like an episode in series. Trashy but has the same kind of appeal as gossip itself. The writing is funny--kind of sarcastic and self-aware. ( )