If you’re a fan of drama, romance, and the glitzy world of New York’s elite, Cecily von Ziegesar’s books are your ticket to an addictive reading experience. Best known for her iconic Gossip Girl series, von Ziegesar has captivated readers with her sharp wit and tales of privileged teens navigating love, betrayal, and scandal. Whether you’re new to her work or a longtime fan, this guide lists all of Cecily von Ziegesar’s books in order, focusing on her major series and standalone novels, complete with publication details and insights to keep you hooked. Let’s dive into the glamorous world of the Upper East Side and beyond!
Who Is Cecily von Ziegesar?
Born on June 27, 1970, in New York City, Cecily von Ziegesar grew up in the world she writes about. A graduate of The Nightingale-Bamford School, she drew inspiration from her experiences and those of her wealthy peers to create the Gossip Girl series. Her books, filled with scandalous secrets and luxurious settings, became a cultural phenomenon, spawning a hit TV show and a lasting legacy in young adult fiction. Beyond Gossip Girl, von Ziegesar has explored other genres, from college dramas to adult fiction, showcasing her versatile storytelling.
List Of Cecily von Ziegesar Books In Order By Series
| Series | Title | Publication Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gossip Girl | Gossip Girl | April 2002 | |
| Gossip Girl | You Know You Love Me | September 2002 | |
| Gossip Girl | All I Want Is Everything | May 2003 | |
| Gossip Girl | Because I’m Worth It | October 2003 | |
| Gossip Girl | I Like It Like That | May 2004 | |
| Gossip Girl | You’re the One That I Want | October 2004 | |
| Gossip Girl | Nobody Does It Better | May 2005 | |
| Gossip Girl | Nothing Can Keep Us Together | October 2005 | |
| Gossip Girl | Only in Your Dreams | May 2006 | Ghostwritten |
| Gossip Girl | Would I Lie to You | October 2006 | Ghostwritten |
| Gossip Girl | Don’t You Forget About Me | May 2007 | Ghostwritten |
| Gossip Girl | It Had to Be You | October 2007 | Prequel |
| Gossip Girl | I Will Always Love You | November 2009 | Ghostwritten |
| Gossip Girl | Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer | October 2011 | Horror reimagining |
| Gossip Girl: The Carlyles | Gossip Girl: The Carlyles | May 2008 | Ghostwritten by Annabelle Vestry |
| Gossip Girl: The Carlyles | You Just Can’t Get Enough | October 2008 | Ghostwritten by Annabelle Vestry |
| Gossip Girl: The Carlyles | Take a Chance on Me | June 2009 | Ghostwritten by Annabelle Vestry |
| Gossip Girl: The Carlyles | Love the One You’re With | November 2009 | Ghostwritten by Annabelle Vestry |
| The It Girl | The It Girl | November 2005 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Notorious | June 2006 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Reckless | November 2006 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Unforgettable | June 2007 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Lucky | November 2007 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Tempted | June 2008 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Infamous | November 2008 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Adored | June 2009 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Devious | November 2009 | Ghostwritten |
| The It Girl | Classic | June 2010 | Ghostwritten |
| Standalone | Cum Laude | June 2010 | |
| Standalone | Dark Horses | March 2016 | |
| Standalone | Cobble Hill | October 2020 |
Gossip Girl Series: The Ultimate Reading Order
The Gossip Girl series, published between 2002 and 2011, follows the lives of privileged teens at Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude’s School for Boys on New York’s Upper East Side. Narrated by the mysterious Gossip Girl, the series dives into the tangled relationships of Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, Nate Archibald, and others. With 13 novels, a prequel, and a spin-off, here’s the complete Gossip Girl series in publication order:
- Gossip Girl (April 2002)
Welcome to the Upper East Side, where Serena van der Woodsen returns from boarding school, stirring up drama with her BFF Blair Waldorf and heartthrob Nate Archibald. Expect jealousy, betrayal, and Gossip Girl’s watchful eye. - You Know You Love Me (September 2002)
College interviews and romantic entanglements heat up as Blair and Serena navigate their rivalry and love lives, all while Gossip Girl spills their secrets. - All I Want Is Everything (May 2003)
It’s Christmastime, and Blair and Serena are back to their old tricks—partying from Park Avenue to the Caribbean. Will their friendship survive the holiday chaos? - Because I’m Worth It (October 2003)
February in NYC brings steamy drama as the teens face fashion week, college applications, and more scandals. - I Like It Like That (May 2004)
Spring break in Sun Valley, Idaho, brings new tensions as Blair and Serena’s friendship is tested, and Nate plays knight to his new girlfriend, Georgie. - You’re the One That I Want (October 2004)
College acceptance letters loom, and romantic stakes are higher than ever. Will Blair and Nate finally seal the deal? - Nobody Does It Better (May 2005)
The Upper East Side teens chase their dreams—fashion, love, and college—while Gossip Girl keeps the drama alive. - Nothing Can Keep Us Together (October 2005)
As graduation nears, the group faces big changes. Can they hold it together, or will secrets tear them apart? - Only in Your Dreams (May 2006) Ghostwritten
The gang heads to college, but summer in NYC brings new flings and old rivalries. - Would I Lie to You (October 2006) Ghostwritten
Winter in NYC heats up with more betrayals and hookups. Gossip Girl never misses a beat. - Don’t You Forget About Me (May 2007) Ghostwritten
Graduation arrives, and the teens face their futures. Will they leave the Upper East Side behind? - I Will Always Love You (November 2009) Ghostwritten
The original cast returns from college for a holiday reunion filled with nostalgia and new drama. - Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer (October 2011)
A dark, gory reimagining of the first novel, where Serena’s plan to win Blair back takes a deadly turn. Perfect for fans craving a horror twist. - It Had to Be You (October 2007) Prequel
Set a year before the first novel, this prequel reveals how the Gossip Girl drama began, with secrets from the characters’ pasts.
Note: From Only in Your Dreams onward, the main series was ghostwritten under von Ziegesar’s guidance, except for the prequel and Psycho Killer.
Gossip Girl Collections
- Gossip Girl Collection (2003) – Omnibus of books 1–3.
- The Second Collection (2004) – Omnibus of books 4–6.
- The Third Collection (2006) – Omnibus of books 7–9.
- The Complete Collection (2009) – Omnibus of books 1–11.
- Gossip Girl Series 3 Books Collection (2023) – Another bundled edition.
Spin-Offs
- Gossip Girl: The Carlyles (2008–2009)
Written by Annabelle Vestry under von Ziegesar’s guidance, this 4-book series follows the Carlyle triplets on the Upper East Side. Titles include Gossip Girl: The Carlyles, You Just Can’t Get Enough, Take a Chance on Me, and Love the One You’re With. - Gossip Girl: For Your Eyes Only (Manga, 2010–2011)
Adapted by HyeKyung Baek, this 3-volume manga series features original stories with the Gossip Girl characters.
Why Read in Order? The Gossip Girl series is a continuous saga, with each book building on the previous one’s drama. Reading in publication order ensures you follow the characters’ evolving relationships and the juicy plot twists.
The It Girl Series: Jenny Humphrey’s Spin-Off
Following Jenny Humphrey’s journey after leaving Constance Billard, The It Girl series (2005–2010) tracks her adventures at Waverly Academy. Ghostwritten under von Ziegesar’s guidance, this 10-book series is perfect for fans craving more drama. Here’s the order:
- The It Girl (2005)
Jenny starts fresh at Waverly Academy, aiming to become the ultimate “It Girl.” - Notorious (2006)
Jenny’s new life gets complicated with rivalries and romance. - Reckless (2006)
Love triangles and betrayals heat up at Waverly. - Unforgettable (2007)
Jenny faces tough choices as her star rises. - Lucky (2007)
Luck and love collide, but at what cost? - Tempted (2008)
Temptation leads to scandal in Jenny’s world. - Infamous (2008)
Jenny’s reputation is on the line as secrets spill. - Adored (2009)
Being adored comes with its own set of problems. - Devious (2009)
Schemes and drama push Jenny to her limits. - Classic (2010)
Jenny’s final chapter at Waverly wraps up her journey.
Why Read The It Girl? This series offers a fresh setting while keeping the scandalous vibe of Gossip Girl. It’s ideal for readers who love Jenny’s underdog story.
Standalone Novels by Cecily von Ziegesar
Beyond her iconic series, von Ziegesar has written standalone novels that explore new settings and themes:
- Cum Laude (June 2010)
A tart satire about freshmen at Dexter College in Maine, navigating love, drugs, and self-discovery. - Dark Horses (March 2016)
A psychological drama about Merritt Wenner, a teen dealing with grief and destructive behavior on the competitive horse show circuit. - Cobble Hill (October 2020)
A witty adult novel about Brooklyn parents grappling with crushes, angst, and quirky misadventures. Perfect for Gossip Girl fans now grown up.
Why Cecily von Ziegesar’s Books Are a Must-Read
Von Ziegesar’s stories are more than just guilty pleasures. Her sharp social commentary, inspired by her own Upper East Side upbringing, offers a satirical look at privilege and youth. Gossip Girl became a bestseller for its addictive drama and relatable characters, while her standalone works like Cobble Hill show her evolution as a writer tackling adult themes. Whether you’re into teen scandals or mature, quirky tales, there’s something for everyone.
Tips for Enjoying Cecily von Ziegesar’s Books
- Start with Gossip Girl: Dive into the first book to meet Blair, Serena, and the gang. It’s the perfect entry point.
- Binge the Series: The Gossip Girl and It Girl series are best read in order for maximum drama.
- Explore Standalones: If you’re an adult reader, Cobble Hill offers a fresh, relatable take on von Ziegesar’s style.
- Check Out the TV Shows: The Gossip Girl CW series (2007–2012) and HBO Max reboot (2021) add visual flair to the books, though they differ in plot.
- Find Deals: Check sites like ThriftBooks or PangoBooks for affordable used copies.
Where to Buy Cecily von Ziegesar’s Books
You can find her books on major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ThriftBooks. For rare editions or collections, check PangoBooks or Book Notification for deals.
FAQs About Cecily von Ziegesar’s Books
Q: Do I need to read the Gossip Girl books in order?
A: Yes, the series follows a continuous storyline, so reading in publication order is recommended.
Q: Are all Gossip Girl books written by Cecily von Ziegesar?
A: Books 9–11 and I Will Always Love You were ghostwritten, as was the It Girl series, under her guidance.
Q: What’s the difference between the books and the TV show?
A: The CW series and HBO Max reboot are loosely based on the books, with different plots and character arcs, but they share the same Upper East Side vibe.
Q: What’s her latest book?
A: Cobble Hill (October 2020) is her most recent novel, aimed at adult readers.
XOXO, Gossip Girl Fans
Cecily von Ziegesar’s books offer a delicious escape into a world of glamour, scandal, and heart. From the iconic Gossip Girl series to the witty Cobble Hill, her stories keep readers coming back for more. Start with the first Gossip Girl novel and work your way through her captivating catalog. Have you read any of her books? Which is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to follow for more bookish updates. You know you love me… XOXO!
