Book Review: The Carrie Diaries

by Brittany Geragotelis

photo credit: Grove Press

I don't know about you, but I was a fan of Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell without even reading it...and this was mostly because I was already such a huge fan of the show. And if the show was based on the book, then how could I not like it? (I have to admit here that I still haven't read the book...I know, what kind of book nerd am I, choosing a TV show over the original creation?)

photo credit: Hyperion

But I have read One Fifth Avenue, rich with its multiple plots and interesting, well thought out characters. So, I was beyond psyched when I heard that not only was Candace making a prequel to SATC, but it was going to be YA! I really love the idea of when authors either do prequels to famous books or decide to create new books based on secondary characters in their already popular books. It's so interesting to see how deeply they delve into the lives of these creations.

Needless to say, I was so excited to read The Carrie Diaries by the time it came out. And I wasn't disappointed. The book itself was a fun tale of teen angst, and although a YA novel, it was ripe with sex and love and friendship. I loved how Candace showed the origin of Carrie and her little quirks and passions: Her foray into smoking, trouble in relationships, her love for writing and deciding she wants to be a writer, her "Carrie" purse and her draw toward New York City. The only complaint I had was that I had a tough time picturing the character as the Carrie we know and love. She just didn't seem the same to me. But in a way, this is almost OK, since we're hoping that by the time the character gets to the grown-up Carrie, that she's done just that: grown up. Her experiences as a teen and young woman should all lend to who she becomes...and through The Carrie Diaries, we're getting the unique opportunity to watch her be shaped as a person. So, in the end, the differences in character didn't bother me all that much.

And as a die-hard SATC fan, I especially loved how Candace had Carrie and Samantha meet at the end of this first book. It was like watching stars collide: totally meant to be. I for one, can't wait for the next book (which I hear she's officially set to write!).

Here's a synopsis of The Carrie Diaries:

photo credit: Poppy

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseperable. Then, Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friends betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impressions her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

If you haven't already, head to Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy today!

5x5,

B.