Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the Gossip Girl books, says she watches the TV show, produced by The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz:

“I knew about [The O.C.], and that made me more worried that Nate’s going to be a lifeguard, and it’s going to be totally cheesy. But the costumes are so great. It’s such a great show.”

But! She has issues with Vanessa.

“I think Vanessa is one character they ruined. In the book, she’s kick-ass and has a shaved head and wears lots of black … and I think a lot of the readers who don’t usually read teen fiction identify with Vanessa. Even though I don’t like Vanessa’s character, it’s nothing against [actress] Jessica [Szohr]. I just wish Vanessa was like she is in the books a bit more.”

Thanks MTV Canada