Series Books - Page 2

Gossip Girl Boxed Set

Cecily von Ziegesar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A delicious series that will definitely give you something to talk about! 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful.

The Upper East Side used to be overrun with plastic surgery happy society women, and spoiled tots torturing their high-priced nannies. But times have changed. While these people still occupy a small portion of the sidewalks, they have been pushed aside for a new generation of beautiful people. Teenagers brought up in the lap of luxury, who spend their days buying overpriced La Perla undergarments at Barney's, and indulging in frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity. But spending money isn't all that's on their mind. There's always...gossip.

GOSSIP GIRL: Ever since the flawless Serena van der Woodsen departed from New York City to take up residence at a boarding school in Connecticut, sixteen-year-old Blair Waldorf has ruled Constance Billard School for Girls. As the daughter of a prominent lawyer turned gay, Blair has always gotten her way. And, with Serena out of the picture, was able to snag the gorgeous, green-eyed Nate Archibald for herself. Unfortunately, as much as Blair would like to deny it, Nate has always had a thing for Serena. A secret passion for the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty. And now with Serena back in the picture, Blair doesn't know where their relationship will stand. So she has to take drastic measures...hand Nate her V card and he'll be hers forever. The only problem is that Nate is a stoner who has a very short attention span, and even sacrificing herself to Nate won't let him forget the passion he feels for Serena.

But he's not the only one. Dan Humphrey isn't your typical rich kid. For one, while he attends school with some of New York City's most privileged, he actually resides in an apartment on the Upper West Side with his chesty younger sister, Jenny, and his eccentric writer father, Rufus. Dan is a dark, brooding poet, whose penchant for cigarettes and Folgers coffee crystals leave much to be desired. But, like Nate, Dan is infatuated with Serena. The only difference is that he has never so much as spoken to her before, and she doesn't know he exists. Now that Serena's off the A-List, and treading outcast waters, however, the only thing he can hope is that she'll find her way to him and they can live happily ever after. In his dreams, of course. 5 stars.


YOU KNOW YOU LOVE ME: Everyone is in the midst of applying to Ivy League Colleges, but Blair Waldorf is planning a little something extra...her seventeenth birthday. Unfortunately, her mother has sprung a big announcement - she's getting married to Cyrus Rose, and the wedding will take place on Blair's birthday. So much for special days. Then there's Serena, who is being constantly pursued by Dan, a disturbed poet with intense affections. Sure, Serena is used to being pursued by guys of all ages, but Dan is slightly creepy with his morbid poetry. Of course, Serena is a girl, and what girl doesn't love having poems being written about her.
Although these teens are rich, obviously money can't buy you everything. At least it can't buy Blair Waldorf everything. For Blair's seventeenth birthday bash is coming up, and she knows that the only thing that she can possibly wish for is Nate Archibald, her troubled, yet gorgeous, boyfriend, of course. But little does she know that while she's sending out college applications, Nate is fooling around with Jenny Humphrey, a ninth-grader! Looks like Blair's birthday is destined to be a blowout of epic proportions. 5 stars.


ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING:
Blair Waldorf is having the worst time of her life. She has just completely flubbed her Yale interview, even going so far as to kiss her interviewer; she must contend with a dreadlock-bearing new stepbrother named Aaron, who seems to have some ulterior motives up his sleeve; her mother is marrying a loser whom she has known for hardly no time at all; and, to top it all off, Nate has ditched her for a chesty ten-year-old - well, she looks ten. Luckily, she and Serena van der Woodsen are back on speaking terms, and living it up as BFF's once more. But who knows how long that will last.

The holidays are just around the corner, and with the Upper East Side absolutely freezing, everyone who's loaded is planning on ditching their Marc Jacobs coats, and slipping into their Missoni string bikinis for a Christmas in a tropical place. With Nate Archibald having called it quits with Blair in order to take up a romance with freshman Jenny Humphrey, Blair is anything but ready to say goodbye to the city, and head off to St. Bart's with Serena, where they can sunbathe topless, and, perhaps, have a winter fling. Unfortunately, Serena is being stalked by Flow, the hottest rock star on the planet - at least at the moment - and can't seem to shake him off, and Blair, armed with her iBook plans on holing up in the hotel room writing the essay for her Yale application. Looks like this vacation won't be as sizzling as originally planned. But with Blair's new stepbrother, Aaron, and his pal Miles in tow, you never know when the sparks will fly.

Back in the city, Nate and Jenny are having the time of their life. But with Blair's sudden appearances at every turn, Nate finds himself more and more drawn to the girl he has known and loved for so many years. But then there's Jenny. Sweet, innocent, voluptuous Jenny. Maybe if Nate spent less time being baked, and more time being straight, he'd be able to decide who he's truly lusting over.

Then there's Jenny's older brother, Dan. Since admitting their passion for one another, Dan and Vanessa have been having a whirlwind romance - albeit a dark one - filled with foreign films, cigarettes, strong instant coffee, and lots and lots of black. But since falling in love, Dan finds himself at a standstill regarding his poetry. Suddenly, he's experiencing writer's block firsthand, and it's not a pretty picture. But when Vanessa supposedly does something that betrays both him and Jenny, he wonders if this is the push he needs to get his writing back on track - and to get even. 5 stars.

Let's put it bluntly, Cecily von Ziegesar is a genius. She has taken the simple subject of rich, spoiled, troublemaking teens, and managed to produce a series that is both irresistible and infuriating. Each of the characters bring a sense of upper class to the table, along with a bit of scandal, and, dare I say it, trashiness. They have created a virtual playground of the Upper East Side, and dominate every hotel, club, or bar from Manhattan to Williamsburg. But they're oh so delicious. Serena is carefree and easygoing, however, she possesses a selfless and tragic air that makes her irresistible. Blair, on the other hand, is stuck-up and pretentious, but she knows how to let her hair down. Unfortunately, she usually lets her hair down at approximately the same time that her claws come out. Nate is a bad boy in good boy's clothing. His gorgeous looks make up for the fact that he has little between the ears due to how much of his time he spends high. Jenny and her older brother, Dan, on the other hand, are artistes who add a sweet touch to the series; and Vanessa manages to turn heads by brandishing her bald one. Each character converges together to weave an amazing story that leaves you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. A delicious series that will definitely give you something to talk about!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, Book 1)

Ann Brashares

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1013 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great; they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Lena decides they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them.

Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. . .

Take the New York Times bestselling book and pair it with a perfect cast, a screenplay from one of Hollywood’s most respected writers, and gorgeous locales like Vancouver, Baja, and Santorini, and you have The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the teen girl movie of summer 2005 from Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures!

• Ken Kwapis directs a dream cast: Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) as Lena, 2004 Emmy nominee Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia) as Tibby, America Ferrara (Real Women Have Curves) as Carmen, and newcomer Blake Lively as Bridget.

• Screenplay by Delia Ephron—the screenwriter behind You’ve Got Mail and associate producer of Sleepless in Seattle.

• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants received enormous recognition including starred reviews, was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, is a Book Sense Book of the Year, a Publishers Weekly Flying Start, and won the hearts of teen girls across the country—and continues to be a New York Times Bestseller.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff: Stories of Tough Times and Lessons Learned (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 63 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

This latest offering in the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series explores a host of challenges faced by today's teens. Within its pages teens will find portraits of life's complexities expressed from the viewpoint of their peers. Teen contributors share their thoughts and feelings on difficult issues, ranging from poor self-image to thoughts of suicide, from family discord to coping with the loss, from peer pressure to school violence.

Teens ranked stress as one of their top concerns (along with child abuse and STDs). Oftentimes, the pressure can feel overwhelming, whether they involve worrying about an upcoming test, competition sports, family responsibilities, dating, or more extreme issues such as depression, suicide and school violence.

The first three volumes of the Teenage Soul series and the companion journal illustrate the ongoing popularity of this series (unit sales exceed 11 million). Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff and the Spring 2001 release Teenage Soul Letters will undoubtedly follow suit as the next best-sellers in a phenomenally popular series.

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, Book 2)

Ann Brashares

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Total reviews: 333 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Can't wait for the next installment of the Pants? Check out the SPECIAL EDITION of The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, in stores now!
Inside you'll find an exclusive "Who's Your Soul Mate Quiz" and a sneak peak at the third book, Girls in Pants.

With a bit of last summer's sand in the pockets, the Traveling Pants and the Sisterhood that wears them embark on their 16th summer.

Bridget: Impulsively sets off for Alabama, wanting to both confront her demons about her family and avoid them all at once.

Lena: Spends a blissful week with Kostos, making the unexplainable silence that follows his visit even more painful.

Carmen: Is concerned that her mother is making a fool of herself over a man. When she discovers that her mother borrowed the Pants to wear on a date, she's certain of it.

Tibby: Not about to spend another summer working at Wallman's, she takes a film course only to find it's what happens off-camera that teaches her the most.


From the Hardcover edition.

Gossip Girl #1: A Novel (Gossip Girl Series)

Cecily Von Ziegesar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 321 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Too immature for older readers, too gossipy for young readers 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love the television show and got this book to see how it compared, suffering the embarrassment of being a 19-year-old in the Young Adult section. "Gossip Girl" can be fairly enjoyable at times, but I'm not quite sure what audience it's catered to. I finished the book in about an hour and a half- the reading is a bit oversimplified. The characters are interesting enough, but one-dimensional. All of this is expected for the young teenage book set. But other parts of the book are troubling. It doesn't bother me that the characters do drugs and have casual sex- I've been reading books about all that for years. The problem is that they suffer absolutely no consequences for their actions- no STDs, no arrests, no angry parents. The characters are still seen as people to look up to and people who get good grades. Sure, in the book the characters deal with some problems, but nothing like they would in real life. If you're a mature teen who enjoys semi-trashy chick lit, then "Gossip Girl" will do the trick. Otherwise, stay away. Maybe try the TV show instead.

Editorial Review:

lder teens and adult readers can't get enough of Gossip Girl, the anonymous narrator who made her catty debut in the bestselling Gossip Girl and titillated readers in the juicy sequel, You Know You Love Me. Now in All I Want Is Everything, readers will love her even more as Gossip Girl dishes up dose after hefty dose of dirt on all her friends-New York's wealthiest private school teens. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high-stakes melodrama drive the action of this wildly popular new series.

Lady Friday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 5)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A fine addition to a fine series. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Garth Nix is one of my favorite fantasy writers. I first discovered him through his Abhorsen trilogy-a richly written set of fantasy books for a young adult audience. Those books are on the long side and are what I would consider YA if not adult literature. Nix's more recent writing endeavor, a series of seven books entitled The Keys to the Kingdom, began in 2003 with the publication Mister Monday. As you might have guessed, each book is titled for a different day of the week.

Lady Friday is the fifth book in the series (first published in 2007) with the next installment due out in August 2008. Before saying anything else, I have to say that this is not a stand alone book. If anything is going to make sense, you have to read the series starting at the beginning. If you can also read them close together, even better. For my part, I had to wait over a year before I procured a copy of this book. As a result, some of the details were a bit fuzzy until I remembered what was happening in the story.

This series takes place in the course of one week (one day for each title). And, for Arthur Penhaligon our twelve-year-old hero, it has been a very long week. Arthur is the Rightful Heir of the Architect (the creator of Earth and everything else). Over the course of the first four books, Arthur has worked to free parts of the will of the Architect in order to gain help while battling the treacherous Trustees who decided to imprison the Will and steal the Architect's power for themselves. Four trustees have been defeated, their keys taken, but that doesn't mean Arthur has time to rest on his laurels.

Arthur's friends, Suzy and Fred, are still imprisoned by the Piper whose New Nithling army has taken over the Great Maze in the House. Superior Saturday, in an attempt to cripple Arthur's efforts to consolidate power, is cutting off phone and elevator service to and from the House. To make matters worse, Arthur still isn't sure when he'll be able to go home or if he will be able to at all. Meanwhile, Lady Friday sends Arthur an offer that he might not be able to refuse. Even if it might also be a trap.

This novel moves the action from the Lower House to the new territory of the Middle House. The descriptions here are really fun. Lady Friday is in charge of all the House's record keeping and book making, so there are a lot of book references in terms of places and characters. Nix also incorporates a lot of information about Arthur's military training during Sir Thursday to good effect.

As Arthur races to find the Will and Lady Friday's key, the story also follows Leaf's own difficulties with Lady Friday. This part of the story is interesting and does eventually tie in with Arthur's story, but at the same time it made for a slow start. (The books prologue begins with Leaf.) In the early chapters, Nix alternates between Leaf and Arthur which I guess integrates the stories but it also made for some really frustrating cliffhangers at chapter ends.

Lady Friday had a bit of a slow start compared to earlier novels in the series, but the dramatic ending makes up for it. A fine addition to a fine series.

Editorial Review:

Four of the seven Trustees have been defeated and their Keys taken, but for Arthur, the week is still getting worse. Suzy Blue and Fred Gold Numbers have been captured by the Piper, and his New Nithling army still controls most of the Great Maze. Superior Saturday is causing trouble wherever she can, including turning off all the elevators in the House and blocking the Front Door.

Amidst all this trouble, Arthur must weigh an offer from Lady Friday that is either a cunning trap for the Rightful Heir or a golden opportunity he must seize--before he's beaten to it!

Gossip Girl: It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Gossip Girl)

Cecily von Ziegesar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

bad book 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 14 people found this review helpful.

this book should be taken off the shelves! it made me sick! i hope there arent girls who are truly that vulgar.

spectacular 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

one of the best based on a series written book that has ever been published

Upper East Siders Scandals 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Gossip Girl tells the tale of the Upper East Siders sophomore year. It was really fun to read but the one thing I don't like in this series is the excessive use of inappropriate words. But the great thing about this book is that it doesn't focus on the female characters it also gave much importance to the male point of view. I like this one.

Editorial Review:

Taking place over their sophomore year, It Had to Be You unveils the secrets behind the hot and sultry summer that Blair, Serena, and Nate's love triangle begins--and there's a lot more to this story than anyone realizes. Find out how Blair first snagged Nate, why Serena really left for boarding school, and how the legendary Gossip Girl column began. This beautifully jacketed hardcover addition to the #1 bestselling series will thrill author Cecily von Ziegesar's fans and will undo some of the myths created in the 11 previous novels, so don't believe everything you've read so far. After all, this is Gossip Girl.

And keep your eye out for more Gossip Girl novels--featuring a brand-new cast of fabulous characters-- coming in Spring 2008!

Gossip Girl #11: Don't You Forget About Me: A Gossip Girl Novel (Gossip Girl)

Cecily von Ziegesar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A bittersweet end to an era 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

When you first graduate, you're on top of the world, thinking about the future. But even the people of the Upper East Side know that, within a few short months, they'll be reminiscing about the people and experiences they'll be leaving behind - or not. Now, with ten short days left until everyone heads off to their respective colleges, it's time to party like there's no tomorrow, and soak up as many memories as possible before everyone goes their separate ways.

After spending the last month aboard a gorgeous boat with her hot other half, Nate Archibald, Blair Waldorf is convinced that their relationship is one that will last. And now, with just ten days before she heads off to Yale with the love of her life, and her frenemy, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair can't help but find herself on top of the world. The only thing making her shiver in her Marc Jacobs flats is the sappy love letter she found in the glove compartment of Nate's car. The writer? Serena van der Woodsen herself. Sure, Blair made sure to dispose of the evidence before Nate laid his gorgeous green eyes upon it. But, knowing Serena, there's always a possibility that she'll find a way to Nate before Blair has a chance to destroy anything between the two of them. Luckily, she's able to keep herself busy by buying all of the necessities she and Nate will need to live happily-ever-after in a quaint cottage she has created in her mind.

Nate Archibald had the time of his life sailing about with Blair for one blissful month; but now that he's back on dry land, he can't help but think about Serena van der Woodsen. Like Blair, he and Serena have so much history, and he's reluctant to throw it all away. But he has to push thoughts of romance aside as he faces his domineering father who has just discovered that Nate will not be attending Yale in the fall. Instead, he'll be going where no normal teenager would go - back to high school. After bailing on his promised assistance at Coach Michaels's home, Nate managed to get himself into even more hot water, and now he has to find a way to let Blair in on his plans - or, rather, lack thereof. Maybe he is better off with Serena - at least she'd take his news in stride.

It took years to realize, but Serena van der Woodsen finally knows that Nate Archibald is the one and only guy for her. But after he takes off with Blair, the only thing she has left to do is promote her first feature film Breakfast At Fred's, which is garnering rave reviews from every critic in the country. When the two lovebirds return, however, Serena can't help but feel that Nate is sending her messages of the romantic variety. Unfortunately, she has no idea whether or not he has received her forbidden letter, and doesn't know how to react. The fact that she's contemplating deferring Yale for a year doesn't set her mind at ease much either. Looks like someone had better make some decisions - stat!

After dabbling with being gay for a bit of time, Dan Humphrey is beginning to wonder if, much to his family and friend's surprise, he is actually straight. If the overwhelming feelings he's experiencing towards Vanessa Abrams - again! - is any indication, we may just be able to chalk the whole incident up to confusion. After gallivanting around Prague for the summer, Jenny Humphrey can't wait to pack up her things and head off to Waverly Academy. But first she'll have to find a way to gain entrance to the hottest party of the summer for one last blowout before she bids adieu to the Big Apple. Vanessa Abrams has had her share of summer jobs over the past few months; but the one thing she wants is Dan. Maybe, with a few well-placed hints, she'll be able to win him back - once and for all.

Cecily von Ziegesar has kept us all on the edge-of-our-seats for the past few years, digesting more and more gossip to discover what, exactly, would happen with some of our Upper East Siders. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME finally puts our minds to rest - slightly. As always, Blair seems to be living in her own little bubble, refusing to come to terms with any of the new revelations which have rocked her world over the past few months. Serena has reverted back to the solemn, slightly depressed girl who we were introduced to in the debut GOSSIP GIRL. And Nate seems to be - gasp! - finally maturing, at least a little bit. The ping-pong relationship between Dan and Vanessa is, once again, in full force; but it's welcome, after the turmoil that has taken place between the two of them in the past couple of books. And Jenny's minor appearance certainly drops a ray of sunshine into the story, and gets us ready for a new adventure - accompanying her to Waverly Academy. The hints that are dropped regarding a new set of characters coming into the picture make for a slightly exciting bit of info. Yet saying farewell to the people we know and love is still difficult, and tragic, in it's own way. A bittersweet end to an era.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Editorial Review:

Don't You Forget About Me continues the #1 New York Times bestselling series about the provocative lives of New York City's most prestigious private school young adults. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high stakes melodrama drive the action of this addictive series that have made Gossip Girl the lit world's coveted "it" girl.

Mister Monday

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 108 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

a fresh new look at children's fantasy 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have always had a particular interest in children/teen fantasy. I normally am an adult fantasy reader, but sometimes it is nice to read a book that isn't trying to play off like the real world. This book is such a clever, compelling read that I was sorely disappointed to have to wait for more. I have never (so far) read a Garth Nix book that doesn't re-inspire me to read more books.

Anyway, onto the actually book itself. We are introduced to the typical male-boy protagonist, the awkward in school, unsure of himself protagonist with an incredible future. Arthur soon learns that his immediate problems are not the first day of school, but instead are the fact that he has to become the heir to the center of the universe.

The entire idea of the House with different levels of work (mostly paperwork) is extremely creative. Everything about the environment and, we could say, culture of the House is a parody and play on real life. It is ironic that the nether-world still has to deal with paperwork and useless workers and bosses that could care less if what they are doing is right or not. The House also offers a sense of the extreme. Anything described inside usually is accompanied by ridiculous dimensions. For example any major room is about 40-50 football fields length or the job of filling a few hundred thousand ink bottles. It also offers a different version of the afterlife, as in it doesn't exist. The main reoccurring theme is "from nothing we came, and to nothing we return" a bit unsettling for the typical child.

And that brings me to my next point. These books are labeled, "Children Fantasy", but contains many references to myths and ideas that I believe are beyond a normal 9 year's old pool of knowledge. There are also a few really violent scenes that make me want to classify this more for Teens. Not that I am saying don't read this for the violence, just be warned if your a parent I recommend reading this ahead of time to make sure it'd be ok for your child (and really it only takes about a day or two to do).

In conclusion, this is a highly originally tale and I for one can't wait to read the other books of this series. My only complaint is that Garth Nix takes about a year for every book he writes and that's a long time to wait. But I guess if it makes the books a masterpiece, it's a small sacrifice.

Gossip Girl: Because I'm Worth It

Cecily von Ziegesar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 82 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

My favorite 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is the third gossip girl novel. So far out of reading all of them so far, this is my favorite. I like the plot that Jenny and all the characters were into. They live the perfect lives and it's just hilarious to see what they're going to be doing next.

Dan is the poet, Vanessa is the girl who knows what she wants to do, Blair is used to getting everything she wants. This sometimes happens. And Serena is just the star, who out glows them all in the plot. Nate is just pathetic in my opinion.

Editorial Review:

Everyone who's anyone in New York City is suffering from post-college-application cabin fever and it's time to run a little wild! Could it be that Serena is smitten with Blair's stepbrother or will the Fashion Week parties pull her away from any attempt at true love? Dan and Vanessa are mad about each other and pursuing their creative dreams -- but be careful of what you wish for. Nate hits an all-time low as Blair's Yale interview with a tall, handsome alum takes an unexpected turn and Jenny makes a new friend who gets a little too close for comfort. And just who is going to get into college early acceptance? Wintertime has never been hotter in NYC as things steam up all over Fifth Avenue.