Guilt-y pleas-ure (noun): something, often a television series about the lives of the Upper East Side’s most elite, that one enjoys. See Gossip Girl.
It’s been 10 years since the iconic series premiered. So how do we satisfy the yearning for tales of queen bees, outsiders, and It girls? By grabbing one of these seven reads, each a worthy addition to the GG legacy.
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Take one high school gossip blogger with a poison pen. Mix in four classmates, each with a secret they are desperate to hide. Lock all five in a room, and see which ones come out alive. You know you love it…
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
What’s a girl to do when she’s fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment in a school ruled by the football jocks? In a nod to Blair Waldorf’s take-no-prisoner vibe, Vivian starts a revolution that soon engulfs the entire school.
If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Dramatic consequences stemming from a decision made in the heat of the moment is something all of our favorite Upper East Siders can relate to (Serena season one, anyone?). Throw in some romance, and you’ve got the ultimate GG read.
The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian
A love/hate relationship between former best friends? Check. Infighting within the clique? Check. Add a dose of humor and old-world traditions, and you’ve got a story Blair Waldorf might agree is too close for comfort.
The Dazzling Heights by Katherine McGee
The year is 2118, and Manhattan is home to the thousand-floor super-tower where the rich and beautiful live scandalous, secretive lives. Dare we say the sky’s the limit with this Gossip Girl of the future? After all, in a world of dazzling heights, you’re only one step away from a devastating fall.
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
Pretending to be someone you’re not? That’s an Upper East Side staple. This non-linear tale of murder and twisted logic is a compulsive read of deceit and reinvention.
Because You Love to Hate Me by Ameriie
Why should the good boys and girls get all the starring roles? This collection of short stories allows the villains a chance to have their say. Georgina Sparks would certainly approve.
Kes Trester is a former Hollywood feature film development executive and the author of the upcoming YA contemporary read A Dangerous Year (on-sale September 26). Set at an elite Connecticut boarding school, A Dangerous Year is full of action, mystery, drama and romance. Connect with Kes at kestrester.com and on Twitter @kestrester.
You can pick up Kes Trester’s book, A Dangerous Year, next week.
