Steve Turner

Includes over two hundred photographs and background information on individual situations, and events that inspired the Beatles' lyrics

The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song

A Hard Day's Write

Gossip Girl

lamia 

this was a scrumptious start to the series! its not mind blowing or anything but its a nice light hearted escape kind of read. also im biased bc i wish i was a park ave princess. spoiler ---- surprised at how this teen novel talks about EDs, slut shaming, and assault so casually. not that it cant, just wondering how these topics will be dealt with later in the story. hope its not just dismissed like in the tv show.

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, I believe that the teens depicted in the book seem a little too unreal somehow. i mean not every teen is as obnoxious like that when their wealthy, or so interested in losing their virginity so fast like that. What happened to waiting? 

Teens aren't always sleeping around and experimenting with drugs like that, and that's basically why I though it seemed unreal. Sure there are teens like that, maybe worse who's to say really? It's just that the way it was presented in the book was bad.

That saying I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, there are better young adult book series out there than this.

Geoffrey Froggatt

Being a fan of both the original television show adaptation and the 2021 reboot, I wanted to give the original source material a chance despite not being too charmed by the prequel book, which felt like a cash grab. This is the first book in this series, which is centered around a group of teens living on the Upper East Side in New York City. With her best friend gone, Blair is now the most popular and prettiest girl at school. However, when Serena comes back from boarding school, things start to change. Everyone has started to pay attention to Serena again and are ignoring Blair, even Blair's boyfriend, Nate. Serena is then ignored by Blair, as Blair begins spreading nasty rumors about her. Serena can't seem to understand why her best friend is treating her this way. While I did love the show for all its shallow faults, I was happy to see that the original source material differed greatly and was more of a satire of the upper-crust Upper East Side society that the nepotism baby characters inhabit. There’s a sense of authenticity in the books that the show lacks, as the author herself is from the world that the books are critiquing. Despite being able to separate the world of the books from the shows, I was still surprised at the differences between them, such as Blair having a brother named Tyler, Serena’s brother being an older sibling and straight, and Vanessa having a shaved head and also attending Constance through scholarship. This book does a better job at introducing the characters than the prequel did. I liked Blair and Serena’s dynamic in this book more than I did in the television show. Chuck’s character is better portrayed here in my opinion, as he’s only tolerated because of his last name and his family’s long history with the other wealthy families in the upper-crust society of the Upper East Side. What I like about this book is that the writing and the author’s voice seems to be aware of the ridiculousness that they are portraying, and I’d even go as far as to say that it feels like a Bret Easton Ellis perspective but with a lighter toned-down feminine tone and marketed at young girls. Although writing down that comparison makes me hunger for a book series like Gossip Girl only written with a dark adult tone, or even written by Bret Easton Ellis himself. The writing isn’t the strongest but I appreciate the unique voice. In the television show, the first season was a satirical look at the world of these nepotism babies but every season after that became a shallow imitation of what made the first season great, and I go as far as to say that the show became everything that the first season was satirizing. This book was definitely politically incorrect, but it felt right as a depiction of rich kids in New York during the early-aughts. This book is more character-focused rather than plot-focused, so it’s important to take that into consideration before starting this book series. This book wasn’t exciting plot wise, especially for a reader who prefers the horror and thriller genres, but I was strangely immersed into this story and felt engaged the entire time. I think these characters are so iconic that I’ll be interested enough to follow their misadventures throughout the book series just to see what storylines and situations they are put into, but I’m not sure how readers who have never seen the television show will feel. This book very much felt like the pilot of a television show and I’m not surprised that this was eventually adapted for television. It was interesting to see how many pieces of the book made it into the television show. If someone had explained to me the entire plot of this book, I would have said it sounds boring, and I suppose that this book’s story is technically boring, but I oddly found myself satisfied with it. I’ve heard many readers claim that sometimes a book doesn’t need a great plot, just great characters or vibes, and I think I understand what they mean now. I rated this book three stars despite not matching the quality of my other three star rated books because I enjoyed the book and liked it, despite it’s lack of quality compared to serious literary books. And I think that should be remembered when reading or recommending this book: Gossip Girl isn’t trying to be a serious literary masterpiece, it’s just a fun character study. I recommend this book for fans of the television shows that want more content, but I’m not sure I can recommend this book to anyone else. This book was very low stakes and great for escapism, and I liked how I could turn my brain off and just absorb it. I’ll definitely be continuing on with this series.

Cecily von Ziegesar

The wickedly funny third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the original hit CW show and the new series coming to HBO Max's Spring 2020 launch season (alongside hit series such as Pretty Little Liars and Friends). It's Christmastime and Blair and Serena are best friends again, and up to their old tricks--partying hard and breaking hearts from Park Avenue to the Caribbean. Blair's mom and Cyrus are having their honeymoon in Salt Key. And when school lets out for the holiday, Blair, Serena, Aaron, and company head down there to blow off steam after their midterm exams. In between pina coladas and topless sunbathing, Blair and Serena plot revenge on super-jerk Chuck Bass. Everyone jets back to NYC for Serena's New Year's party, during which Nate and Blair may or may not finally go all the way...and Serena may or may not be discovered to be the secret fling of Hollywood's hottest young leading man.

A Gossip Girl Novel

Gossip Girl #3: All I Want is Everything

** spoiler alert **
           This is the third book in the Gossip Girl book series. Christmas time in New York City has arrived and Serena moves from dating superstar Flow to vegan Aaron when they all end up on a Caribbean vacation with the Waldorfs. Jenny acts like a stalker with Nate, while Nate realizes who he truly loves. Blair learns that her mother is pregnant and decides that Nate isn't worthy of being her leading man. I might be giving the author too much credit, but I feel like she’s aware of how vapid and pretentious her characters are, and that she’s poking fun at them and being satirical while telling a genuine story in this world. This book made me realize that in the books Gossip Girl isn’t as active in the actual plot as much as she is in the television shows. I’m not sure how I feel about this, as I loved how the Gossip Girl blasts effected the plot and characters in real time on the television show, and some of the best moments and best drama on the show happened because Gossip Girl was an active player in this world. Gossip Girl in the books is presented more as a framing device for the story, serving more as an outside look at the characters and stylishly framing them as interesting fabulous pseudo celebrities. There were a lot of shallow secondary characters in this book to further pad out the friend groups and Upper East Side social circles, but they didn’t really catch my interest besides Miles, who I thought had the potential to be a recurring secondary character. The characters surprised me once again by flying commercial, but like with the last book I had to remind myself that these characters choose to move through different worlds and don’t always stay in their elite upper-crust sphere. I understand Blair’s distaste at the idea of taking Cyrus’s last name is part of her character, but I thought that Blair Rose-Waldorf had a nice ring to it. Jenny’s obsession with Nate was done well in this book in my opinion, she was portrayed like any girl who falls too hard for a boy, and I liked that it was portrayed as intense enough to make Nate uncomfortable while not turning Jenny’s character into an overdramatic stalker. Dan’s pretentious teenage poetry fits his character very much, but the fact that he actually got some of his poems published in The New Yorker at such a young age is one of the most far-fetched and improbable things that this book series has ever depicted. I was surprised by how much I liked Aaron and how much of a role his character has had in this book and the last one because I never cared for his character on the television adaptation. Aaron’s character is different from the portrayal in the television show, and I like how he appears to be a normal guy despite being from the same world that the rest of the rich characters are from. He reminded me of a likable version of Dan, only he was born into wealth and still became a normal level-headed guy and character foil to the other nepotism baby characters. I think this version of Aaron has a lot of potential and I’m curious to see where the book series takes his character, though I do have an idea where they’ll take one of his storylines involving Blair. I think that it’s interesting that I relate more to Aaron as an average “Everyman” character than I do with Dan, who is the intended “average Joe” character. This has less to do with Aaron’s wealth and background and more to do with his personality and lifestyle (so far). Despite Blair not being my favorite character, I like this version of her much more than the comedic conniving Queen Bee from the television adaptation (Leighton Meester still did a fantastic job with what she was given), and I liked how this Blair finally came to realize that she isn’t interested in Nate. I’m sure that Blair will develop into something more similar to her television counterpart eventually, but I’m more invested in this version of the character than I was at Blair from the beginning of the show, making me think that’d I’d like the eventual conniving and devious Blair Waldorf in the books since I am more invested in her character’s foundations here. I like that Nate ended up alone romantically on New Years, and I like that Jenny’s character is trying to become someone different at the end of the novel. I liked the ending with the New Years countdown, but overall, this book was boring in comparison to the two previous books, as those books were enjoyable even if they weren’t the most exciting.

The wickedly funny fourth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the original hit CW show and the new series coming to HBO Max's Spring 2020 launch season (alongside hit series such as Pretty Little Liars and Friends). Everyone who's anyone in New York City is suffering from post-college-application cabin fever, and it's time to run a little wild! Could it be that Serena is smitten with Blair's stepbrother, or will the Fashion Week parties pull her away from any attempt at true love? Dan and Vanessa are mad about each other and pursuing their creative dreams...but be careful of what you wish for. Nate hits an all-time low as Blair's Yale interview with a tall, handsome alum takes an unexpected turn, and Jenny makes a new friend who gets a little too close for comfort. And just who is going to get into college early acceptance? Wintertime has never been hotter in NYC as things steam up all over Fifth Avenue.

Gossip Girl #4: Because I'm Worth it

This is the fourth book in the Gossip Girl book series. Vanessa and Dan’s romance comes to a halt when he turns into an overnight literary superstar with her help. Serena makes her modeling debut during Fashion Week, inadvertently pushing away her boyfriend Aaron. Nate is sent to rehab where he meets Georgina. After feeling disappointed with the previous book, I was glad that I was immediately more interested in the characters’ storylines in this book. I was surprised by how vapid and air headed Serena’s character was acting during the beginning of this book, with her excuse being that she was deeply head over heels for her current boyfriend and couldn’t talk about much else. When it came to the television show, I was always a low-key Serena apologist, but in this book she started off on the wrong foot for me, especially since she derailed a discussion on body image in the girls’ peer support program right in front of her best friend Blair who has an eating disorder. I like how Nate’s character ends up in rehab. I relate to abusing substances and losing control of moderation when doing drugs, and I liked how we got to see different characters with different addictions in rehab. I was never a huge fan of Nate’s character in the television show and any of the previous books, but I was slightly more interested in his character arc in this storyline. I loved seeing the version of Georgina from the books, she was one of my favorite characters from the television show. I was never a huge fan of Blair from the television show, but I’m surpassingly attached to Blair in the books, especially in this book. We see Blair’s more vulnerable side here and I liked seeing that side of her. Dan and Vanessa both discovering success so early in their lives was a bit unrealistic but I liked how the author explored how each character navigates fame and success in different ways and how it brings out the best and worst of both of them. Dan and Vanessa’s storyline in this book made me realize we don’t know everything there is to know about these characters and there can still be much to unravel with each character in future books. I like how Jenny’s character had her own storyline outside of the other main characters and I loved how Blair was kind to her in this book. I liked seeing Georgina write in to Gossip Girl from rehab. I liked that Aaron realized that he had to let Serena go. This book furthers certains plot points introduced in previous books, but the story and characters don’t have any profound or big changes that deviate from the normal formula. I like that we had a small scene where the characters speculate on Gossip Girl’s identity. As with all these books, this is not a masterful piece of literature, but I rated it three stars because I did enjoy it. I liked this book much better than the previous one and I liked the storylines in this one.

Jeannette Ordas

A late-night, no library books, desperation settles in and I downloaded the first ebook that the library system had. Unfortunately, it was Gossip Girl. I watch the tv show but the book was seriously horrifying. Really, is this what teenagers read? Yikes.

Alexia

Thank God I didn't read the books before starting the series, because if it had been the other way around, I wouldn' t have watched it and loved it so much.
The characters are too coarse and frivolous, which was much more 'real' in the show. And Serena is too annoying in the book for the readers to connect with her.

Sam Kiszonka

Please note that I know I should not judge this book against the TV series, but as GG has been one of my most loved shows for years I can't help it. 
I know that the show was developed off of these books, but I watched the TV series first and fell in love with those characters, so this book was a bit of a shock to my system! 

I have wanted to read this book series for ages! 
As I said above I absolutely love the TV series and the characters in the TV series. 

I however have developed a love / hate relationship with this book and the characters. 
I really want to like the book because the TV show is so good, it has literally ruined this book series for me. Why does Vanessa have a shaved head?!!
Also I honestly can not get past how horrible the characters are! They have pretty much no redeeming qualities at all. And seriously Dan needs to lighten The f*** up!!
They could possibly mature and develop some sort of conscience, maybe a backbone for Nate, over the series of this book. And I know that I am going to end up reading this whole series because I am, unfortunately, emotionally invested in these characters and seeing how their life's turn out. I seriously hope (fingers and toes crossed) that Chuck still turns into the Chuck we all adore at the end of the TVseries, I have my doubts though.

Stephanie Midolo

It's summer. I'm supposed to read books like this.

Cecily Von Ziegesar

Laura Flórez

Unlike the tv show, I never finished this series.

Samantha

For once in my life I think a TV show is better than the actual book

Megan Leprich

I'm not afraid to admit that I actually enjoy reading these books, they're almost a guilty pleasure for me. Getting to read about the wealthy and upscale kids of New York honestly kinda fascinates me and makes me jealous in a way. I read the books after watching the TV show and I honestly think I prefer the books. I love Serena and Dan's characters and all of the drama that goes into them. These are perfect fast-paced reads that I devour very quickly.

Kourtney

Just finished binge watching the series and thought I would give the books a try. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would! It was a very quick read and the chapters are short - which was perfect for me to read in between feeding and changing my newborn baby! Will continue with the series when I get a chance!

The wickedly funny first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the original hit CW show and the new series coming to HBO Max's Spring 2020 launch season (alongside hit series such as Pretty Little Liars and Friends). 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 you love me. gossip girl

A Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar

Gossip Girl #1

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | FULL REVIEW HERE: http://bookandbroadway.blogspot.com/2...

Gossip Girl was, and always will be, one of my favorite trashy young adult book series. I love that the novels are short and easy to devour and that they sound like actual conversations with teenagers. You get a glimpse into the lives of a group of shallow rich teenagers and the so-called-glamor of it all. I love that it doesn’t take itself seriously and at times is sincerely cringe worthy. How absurd are these characters, right? I’m delirious with love for this light and fluffy read.

I’d say that it is my guilty pleasure except I don’t believe in such a thing.

Needless to say Gossip Girl is my biggest weak point in young adult literature and frankly, I can’t explain why, it’s just so fun and the easiest way to blow off some steam after a long day. I feel like I grew up with everyone’s favorite Upper East Siders and really, there’s no going back from that. 

From the moment I picked it up as a preteen exploring Barnes and Noble, I knew I was hooked. Over ten years later, there’s still no going back.

As I said before, the only way to enjoy this series is to understand it isn’t supposed to be serious. It’s soapy, it’s satirical, it’s dramatic and it’s steamy. And another thing you should do, is separate it from the television series of the same name.

Full review here: http://bookandbroadway.blogspot.com/2...
and soon to be here at: http://bookgirl.co.vu

Following the events of You Know You Love Me, everyone’s favorite group of partying, reckless, intriguing teenagers are still the hot topic on the infamous Gossip Girl blog.

Which is not at all shocking, given their lives are as entertaining and stressful as your favorite handy dandy soap opera. It’s just as dishy, catty and sarcastic as ever and once more an absolute delight to pick up where we left off in the wild happenings of this batch of characters. Yes, Gossip Girl is the ultimate trash favorite.

All I Want Is Everything is YA chick lit at its finest. Even all these years later, this series is still fun and enjoyable and cringe worthy, i.e: a total beach read. So grab your shades, that new bikini and your favorite drink – it’s time to dive back into this dishy world and gossip our cute little butts off. Who doesn’t love a good gossip?

Winter break is nearly here and with the end of the year drawing closer, there's plenty of room for these kids to ring in the new year with dramatic sparks. Some will stay in the city for the holidays while others will be jetting off for a vacation in the sun and the world at their feet.

Thankfully for us, and the entire Upper East Side, the loveable pair of best frenemies, Blair and Serena, have patched up their friendship. Now that both girls are single and BFFs again, they’re looking to spend their winter holidays in the sun and to enjoy themselves thoroughly. They’ve earned it, right? With Nate no longer in either girls romantic lives, they’ve retracted their claws and maybe, just maybe, their eyes will meet another special someone’s.

Blog | Twitter | Instagram

My review of BECAUSE I'M WORTH IT can be found in full on BookedJ's blogspot location which can be found here and will soon be posted to Tumblr as well.

Because I’m Worth It takes things up a notch for our favorite Upper East Siders. Time has passed rather quickly and the more things change, the more they stay the same. Some are given second chances, some are cleaning up their acts and some are exploring whole new worlds to discover themselves no matter what it costs those they love. As usual, we can expect a luxurious setting with tons of backstabbing, sex and rich teen angst.

(And we see the age old statement: give a girl a new haircut and she can take on the world. Wait, that’s not a thing? Oh…)

With a budding romance in rehab just beginning, other relationships fall apart. There’s plenty of romantic plots as per usual in this installment, and while some of it seems excessive and silly it still serves as an trashy entertainment at its finest. There’s a reason these books, and the “adaption”, are so popular: they are scandalous and reminiscent of a train wreck you can’t help but to watch.

On the topic of romance, something unexpected happens to our favorite teen queen B: Blair meets someone who has such a classic handsome tone to him that he just may be the next leading man to her Audrey Hepburn; the only catch is massive seeing as he is a friend of her fathers and is the man who is giving her a second chance at her Yale interview.

Karla<3

Halle Moir

Addy A

Now a Major TV Series on HBO MAX

Maria youngberg 

The #1 New York Times bestselling series returns with a fresh new cover in time for the highly anticipated HBO MAX series reboot. 'Believe me, I'll be the first to find out, and you'll be the second. It's not like I'm good at keeping secrets ... you know you love me, gossip girl.' The third in the established and bestselling Gossip Girl series about the most popular high school crowd. Christmas parties, the end of exams, revenge-plotting and the most talked about New Year's Eve party might spell big trouble for Upper East Side's elite. Set in New York the narrative takes a voyeuristic look into the troubled, raw and indulgent lives of Manhattan's super-rich.

All I Want is Everything

Gossip Girl 3

Beck Krystal

Kaitlin Simpson

Serena van der Woodsen is back from boarding school -- but is she still the Upper East Side's It Girl? The wickedly funny first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the original hit CW show and the HBO Max series. 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 you love me.gossip girl

A Hard Day's Write The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song

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