Wow, before you posted this I always felt like I was the only book fan who hasn't been bitching about how much better the books are. I read the books before watching the series, and they appealed to me in the same way I think Twilight appeals to a lot of people (although I personally despise Twilight). None of the characters are particularly interesting or likeable (except for Blair and sometimes Vanessa, which is ironic given how much I dislike TV!Vanessa), the storylines are predictable, but somehow I can't stop reading them.

I need to get me more GG icons.