Summer and the City (Carrie Diaries, 2)

I really enjoyed reading the first book in The Carrie Diaries series, so I was looking forward to this one, the second. Candace Bushnell didn't disappoint. She's really grown as an author since the choppy Sex and the City original novel. "Summer and the City" was a quick read; the chapters flow from one to the next, written with expertise in the genre. "Summer" was even better than the first because the Carrie Bradshaw that we know and love from the Sex and the City TV series is alive and well on the written page. If you listen closely, you can actually hear her high-pitched, squeaky voice in the dialogue. The novel documents Carrie's first summer in New York City, between graduating high school and going off to college in the fall at Brown University. She bounces between residences, attends writing classes, starts dating, and meets various new people -- some friendly, some not. It is The Big Apple after all. Best of all, she begins meeting the women whose friendships she'll retain for life. Throughout the novel, Carrie starts to question relationships -- friendships, romantic relationships, and sexual ones. From all of her questioning, we see the beginnings of the popular column that she'll write for the New York Star one day. The novel and series may be labeled as "young adult," but I think these books are totally geared for fans of the hit TV show, regardless of age. I hope Bushnell continues to write Carrie's beginnings for years and years to come. New TV series, anyone?

If you are a fan of SATC you have to read this book. While I enjoyed The Carrie Diaries, I LOVED this installment so much better. It picks up from the last book, and it is where she first meets Samantha Jones and eventually Miranda Hobbes & Capote Duncan. Who also plays a big role in this book. (As most of the SATC fans already know, Capote is in the very first episode of the TV series). There are definitely quite a few surprises in this book, and it is tons of fun to see who Samantha, Miranda and Carrie were as young women (Carrie is only 18 here). The back story gives a lot of insight into why the characters we fans know and love behave the way they do and it also introduces Charlotte towards the end. This is a fresh take on Carrie & all the girls and how they became so close. I loved every word of it, and can't wait for the next book now! Summer and the City: A Carrie Diaries Novel

I definitely enjoyed this second installment of the Carrie Diaries. The way they brought in Samantha Jones was particularly interesting -- partially in contrast to how she is in the television show Sex and the City, but illustrating why she is how she is in that series. Overall I'd say the book does better with her than the Carrie Diaries tv show did with the character. The book takes a completely different direction. What was very odd about this book was it seemed that Ms. Bushnell was using Mr. Big from Sex and the City in a modified way in the form of one of Carrie's boyfriends in this novel. Just the language he used like "kiddo" kept making me think of Big and not really enjoy or take the character seriously. I thought the Carrie Diaries tv series did a better job of how Carrie got rid of her "v" card, but all together this novel seemed more in the Carrie character's element, mostly given that it is actually set in the City. The cliffhanger at the end was predictable, but welcomed.

It doesn't matter where I am, when or in what mood. It doesn't matter on which continent and in what timezone I find myself; I always feel a little bit at home when there are books from Candace Bushnell around. She's an amazing woman and writer. She's no Kafka or Dostojewski, but she's brilliant in her own genre, books that make you feel good and give you a really great time reading them. And of all her brilliantly smart and witty books, Summer and the City is defenitely one of my favourites! Sex and the City, However, is always going to have an extra sentimental feel and emotional value for me. I've read it in Dutch, French, German and in English... and loved it each and every time. It made me feel better whenever I was down or had a bad day. So when the Carrie Diaries was published I was over the moon! Although it's a completly different kind of novel, I truly loved every passage of it. I had no idea it would be possible for me to love another book more, untill now. Summer and the City most defenitely proved me wrong! It's a witty, well-written story, that you just can't lay down. A true page turner, I reckon. (I hope my English is Ok, I'm sorry for the possible mistakes!)

A fun and thrilling continuation from the first book. It was nice to read how Carrie met her three best friends and how she perceived New York life and love. I was hooked throughout the book and each chapter kept me wanting more. Carrie as a character was fun, fiery at times but grew more mature and aware of life in a big city throughout the book. A perfect read to set up what is now a classic TV series.

Immancabile per le fan di sex and the city e della scrittura graffiante dell'autrice. Ci si perde. Ci vuole un'ottima competenza linguistica e cullturale dell'America per capire certi passaggi. Consigliatissimo

今回はSex And The Cityの登場人物が4人とも出てきて、4人の出会い方や若いときの4人の関係などがあきらかになります。 高校生から大学生へと変わる夏休みの間のお話で、短い期間に恋や友情をぎゅっと凝縮された内容でした！！ ファンの方には是非読んで欲しいと思います♪

Loved this book! It said it was used but looks brand new!

Das zweite Buch über Carries Leben vor SATC hat mich voll überzeugt und war auch viel besser als der erste Teil. Carrie hat die Highschool hinter sich gelassen und beginnt ihren Schreibkurs. Dort werden die verschiedenen Typen, die solch einen Kurs besuchen könnten, anschaulich beschrieben. Auch Carries erste Schritte in New York mit allen Ups und Downs wird mitreißend erzählt. Insbesondere auch die Reaktionen aus ihrer Heimatstadt waren gut beschrieben. Alles in allem ein ausgezeichnetes und lebendiges Bild einer jungen Frau Anfang 20!!!