Gossip Books

Serena is feeling lonely even though boys fall at her feet.

Blair and Nate finally..

and Dan and Vanessa move in.

The end.

Cecily Von Ziegesar really keeps her readers interested in the sixth book in her bestselling series Gossip Girl. In this book, college acceptance letters and being sent out, and things turn out the opposite of what everyone expected. Blair was waitlisted at Yale, and only accepted at Georgetown. Serena and Nate both make it into all of their choices, including Harvard and Yale. Blair gets mad at them for this because she has better grades, etc. Blair's mother has her baby girl, named Yale. Dan practically gets into all of his college choices to, but in the end he probably will choose NYU, because Vanessa is going there, and they both moved in. Serena helps Jenny get a modeling job, with turns out to spread lots of gossip. And Vanessa throws a birthday party, which turns into a diaster. Cecily did a great job, I only wished that Blair got into Yale.

Shipped on time, book was in new condition with the sticker price still on it, exactly as described.

i think it' s a great book, i recomend for other people!!!

Spring Break is over, and while some are hitting the books, the Upper East Side set is spending more time showing off their glowing tans, or nursing hangovers from a weeks worth of partying. But not everything is fun and games for the glamorous. Acceptance letters are on their way out from college admissions, and the time has come to find out where everyone will be spending the next four years. Hopefully it doesn't stress anyone out too much.

Blair Waldorf breathes, eats, and sleeps Yale. Since she was old enough to toddle around, she has known that Yale was in her future. It was her destiny. And now that college acceptance letters are in the mail, Blair can't think about anything other than holding that welcome letter in her hand. After all, she has spent her life working on accomplishing this goal. And, in her mind, once she's accepted, the world will be at her fingertips. As if it's not already.

Serena van der Woodsen has never had to work for anything in her life. When you're so effortlessly drop dead gorgeous, of course, it's no surprise. All Serena wants is to hang out, have fun, and make-out with cute boys. And as for college? Of course she applied to all of the Ivies. But when she takes her tours of the colleges, she'll be checking out one thing, and one thing only...how good looking her student tour guides are.

After a stint in rehab and a brief relationship/fling with a pill popping, whisky guzzling heiress, Nate has decided that it's time to buckle down, and start thinking about his future. But that doesn't mean that he can't indulge in a little debauchery - in the form of a joint - from time to time. When his college acceptance letters make it to his stale-pizza-smelling floor, however, he realizes that he holds in his hands something that could both jeopardize his relationship with Blair forever, and set him up for life. Now he has to make a decision once and for all; which seems unlikely thanks to the jumbled musings floating through his pot-addled mind.

Unlike everyone else, Vanessa Abrams isn't stressing about college acceptance letters because - surprise surprise - the little filmmaker of the hour already received her acceptance letter from NYU all those months ago. That doesn't mean that she won't exploit those who are in the midst of a sweat-inducing tizzy over the prospect of where they got in, however, via a documentary that will make you want to hide your head in a paper bag. But she has to do something to keep her mind off of her current hatred for her ex-boyfriend, Dan Humphrey. But Dan has enough problems of his own, now that he's attempting to fend off his classmates, who all seem to know a little too much about his younger sister, Jenny, and her ever-burgeoning chest.

Each time I complete a GOSSIP GIRL novel, I am under the impression that Cecily von Ziegesar will never be able to top it; but then her next installment hits shelves and does just that. The same can be said for YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT. As difficult as it may be to believe, Blair is most certainly at her most neurotic now that college acceptance letters have hit the mail, and she's going so far as to accost the innocent mailman. Serena, as always, is as chill as a stoner - even though she's not one. And Nate, once again, is displaying more mature tendencies, as he begins to contemplate his future. After all this time, Vanessa is finally starting to grow on me, as she seems to have some compassion waddling around in that bald head of hers; but Dan has completely begun to repulse me ever since he indulged in a little private fun with a snaggle-toothed writer who happens to be wise beyond her years. And Jenny, of course, is quickly headed down the path that Serena is just stumbling back from. If she's not careful, she may just find herself in boarding school next year. As decadent as a Godiva truffle.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Wow this book was REALLY good! Surprisingly Cecily made the two most boring characters Daniel and Vanessa interesting and juicy for once. I couldn't believe what I was reading because it was so good. The only story I didn't enjoy as much was Nate because the same thing kept happening with him. Hello I need variety!

As an 8th grader, I found this series (and this book especially) to be a great read. The characters are great to relate to and I find it fun to imagine you are these people and you are living this amazing life. It is also showing that even though you may have money, you do not always have the perfect life. Even though there were inappropriate material in this book, I didn't think it was so inappropriate that I couldn't handle it. If you are feeling uncomfortable reading this book, it's not hard to skip those pages.

I LOOOOOVE the gossip girl series! They are one of my favorite series out there. I actually have all of them and like them all. This is my favorite of them just because. They leave you at the end with so much suspense and it makes you want to go out and purchase #9. And that's just what I did! The BEST book EVER!!!

During the four years that we call high school, we meet people who will become our friends for life, and sometimes encounter others who will be our enemies until we're lowered into our graves. No matter what, there is nothing better than experiencing those years with people we love to hate and hate to love. But when those years are over, and graduation is looming, there's nothing we want to do more than kick up our heels and open our graduation presents. And now that the big day is here, that's exactly what we'll be doing. Unless a little drama rears its ugly head, leaving us in tears; or, worse yet, last season's Jimmy Choo's.

Blair Waldorf finally has everything she's ever dreamed of. She has moved off of the wait-list at Yale, and is finally a full-fledged incoming freshman. She has her best friend, Serena van der Woodsen, in her good graces. And Nate Archibald is finally hers - forever. Or so she thinks. When she catches Nate and Serena in a compromising position during the Senior Class Trip, Blair knows that it's time to write off best friends and boyfriends. But when she meets the handsome Brit, Lord Marcus Beaton-Rhodes at the Yale Club - her new abode - all bets are off.

Everything has always come easy to Serena van der Woodsen. Without trying, she managed to snag a spot at all of the Ivy leagues, steal her frenemy, Blair Waldorf's boyfriend, and become nominated for Senior Speaker for her upcoming graduation. Unfortunately, the only thing Serena truly wants is to be back with her buddy. But when a starring role in Ken Mogul's upcoming film "Breakfast At Fred's" opens up, Serena knows that she just has to try out for the coveted part - even if it means angering Blair even more. After all, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. And when it comes to acting, Serena's got it in the bag.

Nate Archibald has been torn between Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen since the day he met them. I guess that's what happens when your best friends with two of the most gorgeous girls on the planet. When Blair stops talking to him due to his little indiscretion with Serena, he decides to give a relationship with S a chance. But maybe the two of them aren't cut-out for a full-on relationship. If Nate's tears, and his new dependency on the little pills he snagged from his Coach's desk are any indication, it might seem as if Nate actually has true feelings for the high-maintenance Blair. Lets just hope that he manages to graduate, or else he'll never have a chance of getting her back when they're both Yalies.

Little Jenny Humphrey has always been the star student. But after a few little incidents during her time at Constance Billard, she has been told that she'll have to pack her bags, and make different arrangements for her sophomore year. That's not a problem for Jenny. She has always wanted to go to boarding school, and now is her chance to choose the perfect one for herself. Everyone beware, she's on the loose. After ditching Vanessa Abrams for a shot at rock stardom, Dan Humphrey has found himself holed up with his notebook even more often than usual, pining away for the alternative chick he knows and loves. But, alas, Vanessa is in the arms of another man - Blair's stepbrother Aaron. Aaron, however, isn't necessarily the guy Vanessa is searching for. Maybe, with a little luck, she'll go crawling back to Dan - again.

It's strange to see some of our favorite characters growing up right before our eyes. Last week, they were incoming seniors. Now they're about to leave the dregs of high school behind forever, and move on to bigger and better things. Of course, the drama started in high school doesn't plan on staying there. Quite the opposite, in fact. It plans on accompanying them wherever they go. Blair is devilishly evil from start to finish - and rightfully so. Serena is in the midst of playing best friend to everyone around her. Nate is in the final throes of a mid-life crisis - which he's a little young for. Jenny is on the verge of locating the best party school you've ever laid eyes on. And the tension between Vanessa and Dan is powerful enough to send shockwaves throughout all of the Upper East Side. Cecily von Ziegesar has, once again, penned an installment that will leave you salivating from start to finish. Slip on your Manolos; it's graduation day.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

As a parent of a daughter, I was disappointed at the twisted values of the characters. Selfish, hedonistic, material, snobish, I could continue but I'm sure you get the drift. They are NOT the kind of characters I would want my daughter to emulate, and unfortunately many girls do. For those of us that grew up thinking that a Judy Blume novel was a little daring, these Gossip Girl books make Blume look like Blue's Clues in comparison.

Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion makes the argument that ethics and morals do not depend upon a God or religion. Dawkins, however, does not address the gap that people might need religion upon which to base their morals and ethics. Shermer explores non-religious bases for morality and ethics in his book.

Shermer makes the point that humans have evolved with a working set of morals. Organized religions have often codified and formalized these morals. For example, the "Golden Rule" can be found in almost every major religion. This point helps to make it clear that even though I learned my morals in a Catholic environment, I don't need Catholicism to be moral.

Shermer proposes a concept called "provisional ethics in which moral or immoral means confirmed to such extent it would be reasonable to offer provisional assent". There are some rough spots in the justification for provisional ethics. However, I think Shermer is on the right track. Provisional ethics are much more reasonable than either absolute ethics or relative ethics.

Let me begin by saying that I love everything Shermer. He is one of a few scientists out there who actually write lucid philosophy. Another scientist who does that same is Tyler Volk. This book secures the place of science in the morality debate. One of the most important ideas that I took away from the book was the idea of "transcendental empiricism" when it comes to the origin of morality. Too often philosophers frame the debate of morality as either being something outside of the human mind - transcendentalism or a product of the human mind and experience - empiricism. The famous question from ancient Greek philosophy, "Do the Gods love something because it is holy or is it holy because the Gods love it?". Shermer elaborates on this age-old debate saying that neither transcendentalism or empiricism are exclusively true. A more accurate notion of the origins of morality is a combination of the two ideas: Transcendental empiricism. Transcendental because it is not us that devise the moral codes, it is a remnant of evolution dating back to our hominid ancestors. And it is empirical because it is indeed us (as opposed to supernatural forces) that have devised the moral code. Also the idea of premoral sentiments, as presented in the book, in non-human animals is very important to these ideas.

I am really offended by the Washington Post review of this book. The reviewer Anthony Brandt mentions that, "He (Shermer) was, in college, a fundamentalist Christian, taking a degree in psychology and biology from Pepperdine University, a fundamentalist fortress in the hills above Malibu." What does that have anything to do with Shermer's work or this book for that matter? Are we all to be judged by the circumstances that we were born in, or brought up in? Why is Brandt implying that since Shermer used to be a fundamentalist Christian that his ideas are somehow suspect? This is highly inappropriate and borders on slander as it relies on defaming the author rather than arguing with the ideas presented in the book. Another quote from the review, Brandt says that, "If he has a god, it is Charles Darwin". Quite simply, HOW DARE HE say something like that? We all have great writers and scientists that we are influenced by, none who is producing literary or scientific works is an island unto herself, we all stand on the shoulders of giants, but for Brandt to say that Shermer's God is Darwin??? More defamatory slander that has nothing to do with the contents of the book. Why is Shermer subject to such "criticism", simply because he is an atheist? (or nontheist as Shermer likes to put it).

Brandt, after much ranting, finally decides to tackle the ideas themselves as presented in the book. Of course, it all comes down to altruism. The one concept critics can reliably return to when questioning the sociobiological theory of morality. Shermer spends a great deal of time in the book elaborating upon group dynamics and group selection. "There can be no doubt that a tribe including many members who, from possessing in a high degree the spirit of patriotism, fidelity, obedience, courage and sympathy, were always ready to aid one another, and to sacrifice themselves for the common good, would be victorious over most other tribes; and this would be natural selection." Brandt argues that the idea of group selection is something "strict Darwinists abjure". I suppose Brandt is now the leading authority on what "Darwinists" propose?? How can he after having criticized Shermer and Darwin claim to expound what it is that "Darwinists" really believe? Brandt seems to forget that unlike other theorists, Shermer is a scientist and his ideas draw upon research in Anthropology, sociology, biology and history. Is Brandt really out to debunk all this research? I don't understand what his rationale is behind discrediting these ideas.

Lastly, Brandt mentions that, "It is, in a sense, unfortunate that this should be so, for it may explain why the book, despite its highly charged subject matter, lacks passion. Or it may just be that Shermer is not an eloquent writer. His prose is flat and has a tendency to shift tone and fall into the demotic at odd moments ("bass ackward" is the worst instance), as if he were unclear who his audience is or as if he were writing for television. The result is that he is not entirely convincing. He is a meliorist, but he never persuaded me that human beings had become "better" -- better behaved, less filled with hate, less murderous -- since the Greeks, say, or since World War II". Forgive me for calling Brandt an idiot, but the idiot needs to realize that if he wants to read "passionate" writing he can read Hemingway and Tolstoy. As for convincing idiots that we have "become better since the Greeks or WW2", THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOOK OR THE CONCEPT OF EVOLUTION. This is the same kind of "argument" creationists expound against evolution, "If evolution is so great and all-explaining, why have we not "seen" anything evolve?" That is because evolution works in geological time and cannot be "witnessed" during our short lifespans or memory of history.

Finally, I really don't understand why a great newspaper such as the Washington Post assigned the review of this book to Brandt who seems like nothing but a creationist in intellectual clothing. It is shameful to see the author being defamed for what he once was, a Christian, and the book being described as "lacking passion" for the lack of better criticism. This book as a great achievement for Shermer, and a great contribution to understanding the origins and nature of our morality. Shermer is often harpooned as leaving God out of the equation of morality, but we do not need God to be good.

Shermer summarizes the consensus from various scientific disciplines. Since it can read like a textbook, it may be best to skip around to topics of interest. Great source for info and logical argument without being confrontational (offensive) towards religious readers.

I found this book very informative and provided me with very good arguments for a secular non-theistic ethic foundation. I agree with most of what Shermer expresses.
However, I think it's more a philosophy book that uses scientific facts to prove its points than a science text. So, I think it should be named somethingh like "Good and evil: a naturalistic approach".
Another complaint is about the author's use of "fuzzy logic". I think it's too simplistic just to assign fractions to everything in life: "That act is 0.7 immoral". "That animal is 0.6 conscious". I recommend Shermer (and you) reading Edgar Morin "Complex thought" ideas.
Another thing I found the book lacking is discussion about the diversity of moral issues. Shermer just assumes every act as perceived as "good" or "evil", no matter the cultural differences.
Anyway, although I would like a more complex and deep approach on the subject matter, it is a very interesting book. Read it!
(By the way, I learned the word "unalloyed" from this book. He uses it a lot!)

PS. Sorry if you find some spelling errors. English is not my first language.

The one time theist Micheal Shermer has become the St. Augustine of the modern skeptical movement.

Like Augustine, Shermer became converted to the faith (on in this case atheisim) of his mother and like Augustine Shermer approaches his new found faith with that missionary zeal so often akin to converts.

To begin, contrary to the tile of the book, only one half of Mr. Shermer's discussion relates to the "science" of good and evil. The rest is a recount of philosophical speculation...sometimes his, sometimes others but always uniquely irrelevant in that special way pure philosophical discussion so often is.

As it relates to the science of good and evil, two great books on this topic are Matt Ridley's "Origins of Virtue" which provides an evolutionary explanation for why people would place the interest of others before their own and Jeffrey Moses' "Oneness" which verbatim places the various religions statements of the golden rule (among other ethical precepts) so that you can really see just how doctrinally, the world's constituted faiths resemble each other.

In this way, the two cited books actually make the point it would seem Shermer is trying to make: that evolutionarily speaking ethical incentive is identical among people's even if their myths of origin differ. From this, it would more naturally follow that while being universal, the ethical precepts command univerisal adherence whereas the myths of beginning (or so the reasoning could go) merely demand respect as vaunted artifacts of culture.

If you've read other Shermer material or seen him speak, you know for yourself that he could have done better.

This book and "Chili Queen" are the best books by Sandra Dallas. The rest of her books don't come close to being as good.

I have read Sandra Dallas's other books and loved them.
This was very disappointing. I kept reading and hoping it would get better, but it did not. If it had been the first of her writings for me to read, it would likely have been the last. I am glad I saved it for last, because I really loved her other work.

I liked this book, but I didn't pass it on to my reading buddies. I felt the characters were less convincing than most created by Dallas, and I didn't feel a real affinity for any of them. I don't regret reading it, but a quick read and a shrug at the end is all it was worth to me.

I have now read all of Sandra Dallas' books, and this one was by far my favorite. I loved reading about Effa Commander, Whippy Bird, May Anna and the rest of the gang. They're such a fun bunch.

This book is about Effa Commander and Whippy Bird getting out the true story about the lives of their two best friends Marion Street (May Anna) and Buster Midnight. May Anna grew up to be a famous Hollywood starlet and Buster a champion boxer. This is mainly their tale, but we also get to learn about Effa and Whippy.

Hollywood has tarnished the reputation of Buster Midnight after a grissly murder involving he and May Anna, and Effa and Whippy Bird are tired of it. So they've decided to 'set the record straight' and let everyone know the real Marion Street and Buster Midnight. How they grew up, what they we're like and the relationship between all of them. And it's quite a story!

This is a really hard book to put down. If your a fan of Ms. Dallas you'll LOVE this story. I was very sad to see it end. I really recommend this book, and only hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

This is our reading group's March selection--otherwise, I'd not have stayed with it. It simply seemed too contrived, from the names (Whippy Bird, Effa Commander--always use the whole name!, Bumbo, Moon, and so forth), to the oh-so-tragic ending of movie star Marion Street. I felt manipulated, after having read nearly 3/4 of the book, to finally encounter the crime and scandal, only to see it brushed over in a very few pages. And then we never exactly find out the true story--who ends up protecting whom in the scandal? For a story purporting to tell the "real story," this one falls short.

I have been a lover of the television show for years, so I did not hesitiate to buy this book when I saw it in a bookstore. I really enjoyed this book and intend to get (well, more like collect) all the books of the series. In the book, Jessica's High School, El Carro High School & the surrounding area has been devistated by an earthquake, so Jessica and others at El Carro are forced to relocate to the not too distant Sweet Valley High. This seems to be the beginning of the end for Jessica Wakefield as powerful figure in the High School society. It's especially difficult for Jessica when she has to stay at the home of someone she isn't fond of, Conner McDermott. They appear to loth one another, however, is there more to this than simply dislike, yes! If you are a teen or a twenty-something having difficulties with love, romance, and trying to understand yourself and the people and world around you, you will definately be able to relate to this book! I know I did! With an intriguing plot and exciting story line, you will not want to put this book down until you are done! Wanna know how the rest of the story goes? Buy this book and find out! Recommended!

When Melissa Fox comes to Sweet Valley High,because El Carro High has been destroyed by an earthquake,she spreads rumors about Jessica Wakefield. She says Jessica is a S*Ut.

I THINK THAT THIS BOOK WAS VERY GOOD. EVEN THOUGH THAT MELISSA WAS SO MEAN TO JESSICA, THOUHGT THAT THE PLOT WAS VERY GOOD.

What? Has Sweet Valley been invaded by aliens?
Maybe. All of a sudden Liz has turned into a green-eyed monster concerning Conner. Conner who's trying to avoid Liz and his feelings for her is giving his oh so romantic attention to Maria. Liz who's fighting with her good girl/ bad girl self is telling Maria Conner is bad news-just so she can snuggle up too him and not to mention ditching school meetings and lying!

Meanwhile Jessica with no one to back her up against the horrible slurs being thrown at her like slime(what with Lila and Amy having joined forces with the queens of El Carro and practically builing devotion altars to the all powerful, tottally evil supreme queen,Melissa) is a pale shadow of the Jessica we know and love. Melissa will do anything to poision everyone's mind against Jessica because of Will's ( her boyfriend/obsession) infatuation with the blonde.
Did Jessica and Elizabeth bonk their heads on something during the Earthquake? This is like Freaky Friday what with them switching personalites (Elizabeth going from shy, pacifst who try's not to stir up trouble to party freak and Jessica becoming Liz like). Sweet Valley has never been so Crazy!

The senior year series is a lot different from the sweet valley high series, especially in this book. Liz is acting more like a normal person in this series, which is good. In Sweet Valley High, she was too perfect and boring to be believable. I don't like the change in Jess, though. She obviously needed SOME change, in Sweet Valley High she was too superficial and shallow. But she's changed too much. Why is she letting Melissa push her around like that??? But even though I don't like the way Jessica's letting Melissa push her around, it is a great book and it is actually realistic (unlike sweet valley high.) But, best of all, later in the series then the rumors about Jessica fade and she begins to act more like her old self, but not so much that it's not believable. I loved this book!!!!

"4% Famous" is a book I suspect I'd like and appreciate more were I more attuned to the NYC gossip scene. Given Deborah Schoeneman inside-ish background to these rarefied circles, it's a fair bet that much of what she spools out here in 269 quickly and eagerly consumed pages draws very deeply from actual goings on reported by New York magazine during her tenure there. But even without that level of knowledge, I thought "4% Famous" was a compelling and enlightening read. I say 'enlightening' because of the way it lays bare the gossip game, especially - as one of the professional reviews on this page notes - its 'quid pro quo' nature. Watching the horse-trading of items so each writer could protect their respective interests was eye-opening.

It was pretty good. I like all of there different short stories.

I couldn't even get 2 chapters into the book. It is that boring to me! Might try and read some other time but for now, going back to the library it goes!

This novel is virtually unreadable. There is too much exposition, and of a sort that makes me think that every character (and every quip) is a thinly veiled and unimaginatively retold from the author's own life -- invented characters would not be nearly so dull or indistinct. It's unfortunate because there probably is a rich vein of story here, but the depths have been left undisturbed.

She's certainly been there, but lacks the skill bring her life to life on the page, and has little perspective or irony to offer in the telling. Thoroughly dissapointing.

I just finished this book and I LOVED it! I mean, not only did Deborah expertly explain the columns, the parties, the scenesters/publicists/writers/socialites etc, and everything about New York "celeb culture" - but she explained it in a way that will be easy enough for someone to understand who lives in the middle of no-where and has never been exposed to this stuff; while not dumbing it down to a point where it was at all boring to read, even for those of us completely immersed in that world.

Her characters were likable - lovable actually, I *heart* Kate! - the story was compelling, and the whole thing was just fun to read. I sat outside last night on the balcony of my little apartment over here in Hell's Kitchen with a blanket and my puppy dog on my lap, and the book in my right hand, and I had a serious case of the "just-one-more-page-and-I'll-go-in-and-go-to-sleeps" - I was up reading until almost 4am! And I am never up till 4am these days... That's because I myself - a former publicist like the ones mentioned alongside the columnists in this book - took a step back from the party scene, and I think that's the other reason this book hit so close to home for me. Because I too came to the city with stars in my eyes (didn't we all?), and true, the parties and the job perks WERE DEFINITELY fun for a hot second....but after being a publicist for 6 or 7 years, I just do not want to be out 5-7 nights a week at 2-3 events a night. It is pretty much a fact, as discussed in the book, that if you don't want to go out that frequently - which pretty much requires that you also want to drink and do drugs endlessly all the time as well - then this might not be the industry for you. I think that's what the book also touched on so brilliantly...that struggle between getting well known...well, 4% well-known...but then getting overwhelmed by the lifestyle....but being scared to get out of it, because what if you fall off the face of the planet? What if no one remembers your name?

I've gotta say, its a hard reality, and one that the book speaks to perfectly. You may be the little social butterfly, not a celeb but famous enough to party alongside them, even occasoinally gracing the pages of magazines and the gossip columns, but many of us in the biz will get progressively more tired of all that comes along with that glam-party lifestyle with each 6am walk home from some socialites house (that you just HAD to go to, because what if you missed an opportunity to invite some B-List celeb of model to your next event?). I like this book, because it shows the rises and falls in the industry - all the fun and exciting parts of being a gossip columnist, and also the part when some realize that drinking and partying their way around New York City to pander to the egos of rich and famous idiots is exhausting and soul-sucking. It's definitely a tough biz, and if you're not out at night at the events to catch the gossip when it goes down, you might as well not go into work the next day. Also, the characters in the book deal with the confusing paradox of "working" both in their corporate office environment during the day, but also while out partying at night. An industry that expects you to look polished during the day, but often judges your biggest successes by how many times this month you shared a bottle of grey goose with Paris Hilton or a bag of blow with Tara Reid can be...well, in a word: Gross.

But it's all in the eye of the beholder...some say that it's us, the publicists and the gossip columnists that are the problem, and we should stop parading around celebrities for the public to gawk at like trotted-out show ponies. Maybe we'd stop trotting if the public stopped looking. But it really doesn't matter, because those topics all fall away when you read the book, and remember that behind every byline there is an actual PERSON who had to do a lot to get the story. Nothing is so black and white, except the ink on the newspaper blaring the next morning's headlines.

Overall, I just want to thank Deborah for writing such a tremendously honest, fun, charming, courageous, heartwarming, awesome book. It's a literary gem, fun, truthful, and a quick read, but will stay with you long after the last page has turned.

The IT Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar, is a inspiring book.

This book is totally amazing! i started to read it one day, and by the next day I finished it. I never get so into reading, EVER! This book made me feel like i was right next to the people in the book. I could relate to just about every problem in it. It is an awesome book for any teenage girl. I would incourage all my friends to read this book many times. It incouraged me to go out and help more than I already do now. I absolutly love this book sooooo much! I will deffanitly read all the books in the series. Over and over again.

I disagree with anyone who does not like the book. It does what a book is supposed to do. It keeps you intrigued. So what if you think it is unrealisitc, so was the notebook and No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark. Books are supposed to stretch the imagination. personally I think all of the It Girl books are great. I just started reading Unforgettable, and I can't wait for Lucky to come out.

Totally unrealistic. The author might know about the lives of the rich and famous, but she clearly knows nothing about attending an actual, realistic boarding school. Jenny Humphrey and her friends would all been have expelled by now.

A boarding school let an expelled girl, especially one who had been caught using drugs, back in? Wow. Ok. Stick to the gossip girl series, please.

I started this book and was amazed at how the author could just put the f word anywhere like it was nothing! It had very strange and akward senerios like a girl making out with a teacher. I didn't finish the book but from what i read it was bad.

I got immediately got addicted to the It Girl series when I was at a book store and randomly decided It Girl looked like a good book to read so I picked that one out and ended up falling in love with the series.
The book Notorious is one of the best books I have ever read, it's such a page turner you never want to stop reading it, I swear it's impossible. The main plot of the book is when a girl Tinsley Carmichael returns to Waverly Academy and elite boarding school after being expelled the semester before. Tinsley just happened to be best friends with her former roommates Brett and Callie. Jenny Humphrey then took Tinsley's spot and Waverly and ended up rooming in Dumbarton 303 with Brett and Callie. All this drama between the four girls and their secrets, lies, and just being teenage girls causes hatred.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves drama and gossip but doesn't want to get involved in it in reality. When you read this book you can visualize everything and put yourself in their shoes and not worry about your real life. Teenage girls with LOVE this book!

Good historical scene-setting and characters. Sticks pretty close to the famous Amy Robsart affair. Way too much romance and gothic touches. Main weakness is the plot, which wanders and drags with quite a lot of repetitiveness. I really enjoyed the sensual quality of the background - visual, auditory, olfactory. It came alive. I will try one more of this series.

I received this book as a gift several years ago, when I was in high school. At first, the book did not look very appealing, but eventually I decided to give it a try. I actually liked the book. I re-read it a few months ago and still found it enjoyable.
I only gave it 4 stars because this is not the type of book I'd usually read, so it's not one of my favorites. However, the writing is very good and the plot is intriguing.
Someday I hope to read some of Fiona Buckley's other Ursula Blanchard mysteries but my Books To Read list is quite long already and growing longer every day.

Ursula is a strong, independent woman, but not unrealistically so for her background or position. The mystery is okay, but the characters and depiction of the period kept me involved. Although it dragged a bit at times, Buckley paints a wonderful picture of the life and intrigues of court life. I would read another.

A recent widow with a small child to support, Ursula Blanchard is fortunate to catch the attention of Sir William Cecil, Secretary of State to the new queen, Elizabeth, only eighteen months on the throne. Cecil finds a position for Ursula as one of Elizabeth's Ladies of the Presence Chamber, assuring a monthly income, although the young widow remains in dire financial straights. The court is currently rife with rumors of a romance between Sir Robert Dudley and Elizabeth, not the least of which is the matter of Dudley's wife, Amy, who is ill and isolated at their estate at Cumnor. When gossip insinuates a threat to Amy's life, so that Robert will be free to marry the Queen, Elizabeth and Dudley enjoin Ursula to go to Amy and assure her of their concern for their safety. Ursula agrees to the task, leaving behind a gentleman seeking to win her favor, Matthew de la Roche.

Amy Dudley is indeed pitiful, distraught at the loss of her husband's affections and suffering from what her physician has diagnosed as a terminal illness. Sympathetic to the young woman's plight, Ursula wins Amy's trust, reexamining Dudley and the Queen's motives for sending her on the mission. Certainly, strange comings and goings on the estate warrant suspicion as court rumors infiltrate even Cumnor. Unfortunately, Ursula cannot prevent the inevitable. When Amy suffers an "accident" that takes her life, it is impossible to determine the cause and Ursula reevaluates her position as servant or pawn to the Queen. Her own man killed while on a journey to deliver a vital message, Ursula sets out to find his murderers, at the same time stumbling upon a plot to challenge Elizabeth's throne.

Elizabeth's reign draws gossip by its very nature, as suitors and sycophants gather, currying royal favor and jockeying for power. Anyone close to the Queen is a target for malicious scheming and Dudley is no exception, a threat to others who would have the Queen's favor. With the best of intentions, the honorable Ursula is caught in a conundrum not of her making, doing the Queen's bidding yet unable to protect Amy Dudley from her fate. Her own future in jeopardy, Ursula is at the core of the scandal caused by Amy's death, faced with decisions that will not only determine her future happiness but influence the direction of the country. Luan Gaines/2006.

The first in a series of mysteries by British author Fiona Buckley, set in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. If you loved the movie ELIZABETH, you'll love this series.
Ursula Blanchard, a recently widowed woman, must leave her young daughter in the care of a servant and make her own way in the world as a lady in waiting to young Queen Elizabeth I. At court she finds herself encountering intrigue at every turn and is soon offered an opportunity to serve the Queen and earn some extra funds which she can use to support her young daughter. Rumors abound that nobleman Robin Dudley is having an affair with the Queen, and that he is poisoning his wife to free him from his marriage. Ursula must go to his home to protect Dudley's name, and through him the Queen's. But once Ursula arrives, she begins to have doubts, especially after the warnings she receives. Is there something to the rumors? And if so, is Dudley the one behind them, or is there something even more dangerous and sinister afoot?

If you know your Tudor history, you're going to love this series. It's full of people, places and customs of the period, very well researched. Even the central mystery of the plot is based on fact, like all of Fiona Buckley's books. There's a subtlety to the plot, and a great deal of political and religious intrigue mixed in. It's quite rich and pleasantly complex.

What I most enjoyed was the detailed account of the daily life of a gentlewoman. There seem to be a lot of books about daily life of the working class and peasants, many more on the life of the nobles. What you don't often see are the middle class, which is what makes Ursula Blanchard such an interesting heroine. She is caught between the two classes, at the mercy of the nobles and trapped in their plots and games, yet high enough that she can be a player (or pawn) in those same games.

This is a great start to a very intriguing series.

Kate White has a breezy style and rattles off a good story, but some of the plot elements were awfully tired. If I read one more book where the heroine gets trapped in a sauna....Also, it was very easy to figure out whodunnit after White dropped a thunking great clue into the plotline, and after that the thrill was gone.

The book could also have been edited a little better. I found myself counting up the extraordinary number of times that "amazing" popped up in the chapter where Beau drops by for dinner.

Still, it's fine if you want a light beach read.

I'm enjoying the book in a "guilty pleasure" sort of way. It's light, and funny and pretty standard whodunit. But the narrator is driving me batty!! Her voice inflections when she's doing any voice other than Bailey's is totally whacky. She pauses at the wrong places, every sentence goes up at the end like a question but it's not a question and she has a very odd delivery. It is completely distracting from the flow of the story.

My daughter and I are avid audio book listeners due to lengthy, daily commutes so we understand how critical a good "reader" is to the success of an audio book. And this one is just bad!

I finished this book late last night. I couldn't put it down because she kept you guess through out the book. I really enjoyed the mystry and Romance this book brought with it.Every day I had to go back to the book to find out what happened next...Good read ENJOY!!!

The problem with audiobooks is that if there is a editing screw-up or a phrase that the author uses repeatedly it is more obviously on an audiobook. For instance that space down the middle of a multi-lane highway is a "median" not a "meridian". And by the time Baily had finished her interview I was very, very tired of hearing "I just have one more question". I was complaining about the "one more question" to a friend who said she did that when doing cross and recently the judge had looked at her sardonically and said "No you don't-- you have a lot more." Which is what I wanted to say to Bailey.

Anyway the audiobook was quite well read although the narrator was different from the first Bailey Weggans book I listened to a year ago.

These books are a guilty pleasure to me. The only glossy magazine I read on a regular basis is Vanity Fair-- for the crime stories, yah know. I don't think I've ever read a Cosmopolitan magazine. I'm nowhere near the demographic that I believe Bailey Weggans is geared to and I doubt if I have any idea what a pair of Blahniks would look like. In fact it is a lot like reading a fantasy novel where the author has to do world building-- a skill Kate White has, as she makes me believe that this is what a glossy, gossip magazine would be like under these circumstances.

Since landing a gig as a crime writer for the hip women's magazine GLOSS, freelance writer Bailey Weggins has had the opportunity to coast along in her career - picking up paychecks, and encountering the occasional murderer as she attempts to get the scoop on some of the biggest mysteries plaguing Manhattan. But when her boss, on-again-off-again pal, and Editor-in-Chief, Cat Jones, gives her the old heave-ho, Bailey has no idea where to turn next. Sure, she has enough cash from her divorce, and a small trust fund from her father, to continue living in a jazzy apartment in the Village, but if she wants to make a little extra dough to keep her outfitted with enough pasta, clams, and wine to last a lifetime, she'll have to pick up a new freelancing job. Luckily, one lands right in her lap when she encounters her old pal, Robby, who just happens to be working at BUZZ, one of the hippest tabloids on the market. With a good word from him, and a killer interview, Bailey snags the job. Then stumbles upon the body of her new boss.

As a crime writer, Bailey knows little about writing snazzy, pop culture-esque quips about celebs and their various rendezvous'. Luckily, as the new celebrity crime writer for BUZZ, she isn't expected to possess that know-how. As she begins chasing down stories about celebrities racking up convictions for hitting police officers, and running red lights, Bailey begins to think that she's struck gold with this new position of hers. Until she finds her boss, the uber-witch Mona Hodges, in her office - bludgeoned to death. To add insult to injury, Robby is the prime suspect. Bailey never thought that she would be covering the murder of someone so close to her, but if there's one thing she has learned in the past, it's that with enough investigating you can get to the bottom of anything. Besides, Bailey just knows that Robby isn't guilty of such a heinous crime, even if he did have a bone to pick with Mona, and she has vowed to clear his name. But as the suspects begin rapidly piling up, Bailey is unsure of whether or not she'll ever be able to finger the appropriate culprit. And now, with a summer fling of a lifetime with sexy filmmaker, Beau, on her mind, she finds that concentrating on the task at hand - capturing the killer - is proving to be more difficult than she originally expected. And if she's not careful, she may just be the next one leaving the BUZZ offices - in a body bag.

As a native New Yorker with a passion for journalism, tabloids, and mystery, I have never been able to resist a good BAILEY WEGGINS novel. OVER HER DEAD BODY, however, proves to take the cake, in my opinion, as one of the best releases in the series thus far. Bailey is a fun character, whose romps and escapades into the world of murder are insightful, heart-stopping, and utterly irresistible; while her forays into the world of romance leave you breathless. Bailey's oft-times paranoid thinking, and constant insomnia make her feel like a real individual, bringing her to life; and the many relationships she's constantly trying to juggle - between her ex-boss, her next-door-neighbor, and various professional contacts - make her even more appealing, as the reader has the opportunity to relate to her harried daily life. The fact that OVER HER DEAD BODY incorporates much information regarding the tabloid world into its pages makes it impossible to put it down. And, as an added bonus, the confusion regarding Bailey's summer fling with Beau will make your head spin. Fast-paced, chic, suspenseful...White writes one heck of a mystery!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I thought this book was a severe disappointment. First, it was not even written by Cecily - only "created by". There were all sorts of continuity problems: Serena's perfume - patouchi, jasmine, sandalwood in all of the other books or patouchuli and lilies; Blair thinking that she had seen Serena every day of her life - obviously no true - Serena boarding school, one month at sea, etc. etc.

The Fans of this Series deserved more than this poorly written and poorly edited book.

This was a great way to end the series for nate, blair, and serena. I'll admit it, I cried at the end. I read every Gossip Girl novel, but this one was byfar my favorite. Cecily knows how to write a series. You're hooked, and the characters become a big part of your life. (at least for me anyway). I'm super excited for the pre-quil, scheduled to release in october; and very, VERY, excited for the tv show...i'm interested to see how much they actually keep to the book. This series is amazing, so buy them all, read them all, and pretend to be them all!

You Know You Love Me!

I'm an avid reader of Gossip Girl, and when my copy of this novel came in the mail I was very excited to read it. I loved every bit of it, except one thing. There are so many mistakes in the story. One minute Nate has BUCK NAKED written on his chest in red ink, and the next page it'll say it was black. Things like this continued on with what the girls were wearing. The author is famous for sticking in designer labels wherever she sees fit, but this time I think she got a little mixed up. One page Blair is wearing coral colored Prada flats, let's say, and the next page they magically turn into leopard print D&G's. It was little things like that that annoyed me but overall it was an AMAZING book and I can't wait for the prequel.

The eleventh and final novel of the Gossip Girl series was, to say the least, a little mediocre. I have to agree with majority of the reviews that, whereas it was a fun read like all the previous books, I kind of expected a little more. It seems it ended quickly with a boring just-need-to-finish-the-series goodbye.

Though I am excited to for the new "season" of Gossip Girl staring the Carlyle Triplets, I wonder if it will just be a repeat or the same played out drama that we've seen with Blair, Serena, Nate and the other characters of the first Gossip Girl. Of course that won't stop be from buying the novel anyways! :)

P.S. To all the Gossip Girl fans, the CW is going to be airing Gossip Girl the tv series in the fall of 2007, so keep an eye for commercials. Blake Lively will be playing Serena, but for more information go to IMDB.com or Wikipedia.com and search for "Gossip Girl".

When you first graduate, you're on top of the world, thinking about the future. But even the people of the Upper East Side know that, within a few short months, they'll be reminiscing about the people and experiences they'll be leaving behind - or not. Now, with ten short days left until everyone heads off to their respective colleges, it's time to party like there's no tomorrow, and soak up as many memories as possible before everyone goes their separate ways.

After spending the last month aboard a gorgeous boat with her hot other half, Nate Archibald, Blair Waldorf is convinced that their relationship is one that will last. And now, with just ten days before she heads off to Yale with the love of her life, and her frenemy, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair can't help but find herself on top of the world. The only thing making her shiver in her Marc Jacobs flats is the sappy love letter she found in the glove compartment of Nate's car. The writer? Serena van der Woodsen herself. Sure, Blair made sure to dispose of the evidence before Nate laid his gorgeous green eyes upon it. But, knowing Serena, there's always a possibility that she'll find a way to Nate before Blair has a chance to destroy anything between the two of them. Luckily, she's able to keep herself busy by buying all of the necessities she and Nate will need to live happily-ever-after in a quaint cottage she has created in her mind.

Nate Archibald had the time of his life sailing about with Blair for one blissful month; but now that he's back on dry land, he can't help but think about Serena van der Woodsen. Like Blair, he and Serena have so much history, and he's reluctant to throw it all away. But he has to push thoughts of romance aside as he faces his domineering father who has just discovered that Nate will not be attending Yale in the fall. Instead, he'll be going where no normal teenager would go - back to high school. After bailing on his promised assistance at Coach Michaels's home, Nate managed to get himself into even more hot water, and now he has to find a way to let Blair in on his plans - or, rather, lack thereof. Maybe he is better off with Serena - at least she'd take his news in stride.

It took years to realize, but Serena van der Woodsen finally knows that Nate Archibald is the one and only guy for her. But after he takes off with Blair, the only thing she has left to do is promote her first feature film Breakfast At Fred's, which is garnering rave reviews from every critic in the country. When the two lovebirds return, however, Serena can't help but feel that Nate is sending her messages of the romantic variety. Unfortunately, she has no idea whether or not he has received her forbidden letter, and doesn't know how to react. The fact that she's contemplating deferring Yale for a year doesn't set her mind at ease much either. Looks like someone had better make some decisions - stat!

After dabbling with being gay for a bit of time, Dan Humphrey is beginning to wonder if, much to his family and friend's surprise, he is actually straight. If the overwhelming feelings he's experiencing towards Vanessa Abrams - again! - is any indication, we may just be able to chalk the whole incident up to confusion. After gallivanting around Prague for the summer, Jenny Humphrey can't wait to pack up her things and head off to Waverly Academy. But first she'll have to find a way to gain entrance to the hottest party of the summer for one last blowout before she bids adieu to the Big Apple. Vanessa Abrams has had her share of summer jobs over the past few months; but the one thing she wants is Dan. Maybe, with a few well-placed hints, she'll be able to win him back - once and for all.

Cecily von Ziegesar has kept us all on the edge-of-our-seats for the past few years, digesting more and more gossip to discover what, exactly, would happen with some of our Upper East Siders. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME finally puts our minds to rest - slightly. As always, Blair seems to be living in her own little bubble, refusing to come to terms with any of the new revelations which have rocked her world over the past few months. Serena has reverted back to the solemn, slightly depressed girl who we were introduced to in the debut GOSSIP GIRL. And Nate seems to be - gasp! - finally maturing, at least a little bit. The ping-pong relationship between Dan and Vanessa is, once again, in full force; but it's welcome, after the turmoil that has taken place between the two of them in the past couple of books. And Jenny's minor appearance certainly drops a ray of sunshine into the story, and gets us ready for a new adventure - accompanying her to Waverly Academy. The hints that are dropped regarding a new set of characters coming into the picture make for a slightly exciting bit of info. Yet saying farewell to the people we know and love is still difficult, and tragic, in it's own way. A bittersweet end to an era.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer