The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.
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 inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's 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 impression 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.
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"I did not watch Sex and the City during its run, nor am I watching The Carrie Diaries on TV right now. I've only see Sex and the City 2 (the film) which wasn't even primarily set in the city. This book, for young adults, has this sort of like able quality to it - after several YA books in a row that featured a protagonist I could not connect to, Carrie Bradshaw is like a breath of fresh air. Yes, the antagonists are extremely grating - but why else would they be 'antagonists'? Going through her senior year with Carrie has been a fun journey and is quite realistic - characters and a storyline I can empathize and understand. All in all, this is a great YA read!"
— Hepburn (4 out of 5 stars)
“It would have been easy to write a coming-of-age story about Carrie Bradshaw that ham-fistedly foreshadows everything fans of the franchise know will come to pass. But Bushnell nails something harder: telling another chapter in the story of a cherished character that stands on its own.”
— Entertainment Weekly“An addictive, ingenious origin story.”
— Los Angeles Times“With wit and insight, Carrie chronicles her emotionally charged senior year at a small Connecticut high school.”
— Publishers Weekly“Fans will love this.”
— Booklist“Carrie’s sharp observations of her peers and human relationships give the book smart, sassy intellectual power.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Fans of Sex and the City will be delighted with teen Carrie Bradshaw…Entertaining.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)" I really did love this book! I loved to see how Carrie was in HS! Check it out if you love SITC! "
— Dena, 2/3/2014" I was actually surprised at a few parts in this book, which was great because I thought the entire thing was going to be predictable. Not as funny as I thought though, but still a good mindless summer read. "
— Nikki, 1/22/2014" I wasn't too into it until the end, now I really want to read the next one :) "
— Jackie, 1/11/2014" Smutty relaxing read! Sets up why sex & the city "
— Amy, 1/3/2014" Not much to write about, the last sentence of the book saved the whole reading experience! "
— Mintti, 12/29/2013" This is a cute and quick read. It's exactly what you expect going into it. It's about Carrie Bradshaw (of Sex and the City) when she is in high school. The book is definitely written more as a young adult book than Sex and the City is. I loved the last line of the book though when she arrives in New York, it's great for Sex and the City lovers :) "
— Kim, 12/26/2013" Kudos to Bushnell for jumping on the YA bandwagon with a built-in audience but I felt like something was missing. I LOVED SATC TV series & the 1st movie - the 2nd movie I watched because I"m a die-hard fan but was extremely disappointed. I bring all this up because this book isn't the Carrie we've watched for 6 seasons wanting to shake/slap/hug. This Carrie is strong when the average teen is awkward & weak in moments that it should be easy to be strong. LOVE how the books ends with the introduction of Samantha Jones! I'm hoping the series will explore why she breaks ties with her family cause they are NEVER mentioned in the series & how she connects to the other girls - Miranda & Charlotte. "
— Sammee, 12/25/2013" I got chills reading the very last bit, where she calls Samantha Jones. Carrie's voice is so true throughout the whole novel, it was a very enjoyable story. Very believable, too, though high school life seems slightly exaggerated. "
— Emily, 11/24/2013" To be honest I tried reading it three times, the third time I just skimmed it and called it down. That is how bad I thought it was. "
— Sondra, 11/21/2013" it was great. i am starting to read the second one now. "
— Anissamench, 11/21/2013" This book follows Carrie Bradshaw in HS and is quite enjoyable for someone who loved the television series. I do not think this book will win any awards like the show, but a fun read. "
— Anne-harvin, 9/20/2013" This book is definitely coming-of-age story. It takes you back to when you were a teenager and all the craziness of high school...and boys! "
— Concetta, 8/18/2013" For a young adult book, pretty good. She's no Lois Duncan, but... it's entertaining. "
— Tara, 7/15/2013" I know it's a book aimed for teenagers but I didn't expect it to seem like a teenager had written it. "
— annelise, 7/6/2013" I prefer the tv adaptation than the original one. Sebastian Kydd in the book is so mean, and Carrie deserves so much better. I love Carrie on both tv and in book. It has a lesson in every ending statement of her journal. "
— Gienelle, 2/6/2013" Slow going in parts but the most dedicated SATC fans will enjoy. "
— Tiffany, 11/29/2012" A good, funny and light read. Hopefully I will pick up the next book sometime soon. "
— Jill, 11/5/2012" Surprisingly a really good book; excellent prequel to the existing series, can't wait to read the next one. "
— Shannon, 8/10/2012" Book goes back to the teenage years of Carrie Bradshaw and the events that lead her on the road to becoming a writer. Events in the book do not necessarily reflect events in the tv series. Still a good read nonetheless. "
— Kimberly, 7/16/2012" Love this, nice light reading and fun! "
— Kim, 7/2/2012" i love SATC and i like this book. although there are inconsistencies between the book & the tv series, i pretty much enjoyed reading it. i've read the SATC book and i was a bit disappointed. but this one met my expectations. "
— Kaye, 1/1/2012" FUN! Makes me miss the SITC girls. "
— Carrie, 8/16/2011" Ugh! Summer break fluff. My favorite part was the last page... "
— Betsy, 6/30/2011" Good book. The characters are amazing and Carrie is very funny. I felt like I can relate to her. How she thinks and what she does is totally what I do. I recommend it to everyone "
— Kimberly, 6/30/2011" not my flavor- at all. way too modern and edgy<br/>didn't finish "
— Wendy, 6/29/2011" I thought I would LOVE this book, but Carrie's character really annoyed me. At times I wanted to smack her however I was already committed to finishing it and my husband bought me the sequel. "
— Marites, 6/27/2011" Let the YA begin! I should have gone 3 1/2 stars. Her writing always sucks me in. She has great characters; I loved Carrie's backstory. "
— Wendy, 6/25/2011" Exceptional. Simply addictive. I love the twists and turn in the plot. I would have love the ending if Carrie ends up actually loving George. I know I can't expect happy endings all the time - that's too predictable. It would be great to read about Carrie and Donna though. "
— Arrica, 6/25/2011" It has the best ending EVER. You will automatically go buy the second one. "
— Elena, 6/24/2011" I was actually surprised at a few parts in this book, which was great because I thought the entire thing was going to be predictable. Not as funny as I thought though, but still a good mindless summer read. "
— Nikki, 6/22/2011" Typical Chick lit book? More or less, yes. I'm not too familiar with 'Sex and the city' so I feel like I could have had a bit more background information on this novel beforehand... but it was alright non-the-less. "
— Ada, 6/20/2011" Really fast read and totally chick lit. It was a good read to have on the plane but nothing to spectacular. "
— Tpeery, 6/19/2011Candace Bushnell is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including Sex and the City, the basis for the HBO hit series and two blockbuster movies. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television series on NBC. She is the winner of the 2006 Matrix Award and a recipient of the Albert Einstein Spirit of Achievement Award.
Sarah Drew is an American actress who has appeared on a number of television shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, Everwood, Castle, Supernatural, Mad Men, Law & Order: SVU, and Glee. She also works as a voice actor.