Dan Humphrey’s Ultimate Reading List: The Books That Shaped Gossip Girl’s Lonely Boy

By Alexus Mosley

When you think of Dan Humphrey, Gossip Girl’s resident Brooklyn intellectual immediately comes to mind. From his thoughtful essays to his carefully curated bookshelf, Dan’s love for literature defines his “Lonely Boy” persona. His reading list isn’t just window dressing. It’s a narrative device that sets him apart from the privileged chaos of the Upper East Side. Though he’d never admit it, his constant quest to prove he’s more Penguin Classics than Park Avenue is almost as glamorous and compelling as designer labels and socialite drama. For fans of classic novels and Upper East Side–Brooklyn crossover vibes, we’ve compiled a list of books Dan read or referenced throughout the show—and yes, it’s as impressive as you’d expect.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Lonely hearts, existential crises, and Brooklyn vibes. Holden Caulfied would definitely get Dan’s aesthetic.

This Side of paradise by F. Scott fitzgerald

Youth, ambition, and scandal because even Princeton dreams can’t escape heartbreak.

post office by charles bukowski

Rough edges, raw honestly, and late-night existential dread. Dan would read it in secret… maybe with a whiskey.

This secret history by donna tartt

Dark academia, obsession, and murder. Perfect for those intellectuals with a mysterious side.

The beautiful and damned by f.scott fitzgerald

Champagne, parties, and tragic glamour. The ultimate cautionary tale for privileged elite.