Monday, June 13, 2011

Book Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1) by Maureen Johnson



Title: 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Collins Children's Books
Publishing Date: August 2009
Length: 320 pages
Genre: YA, contemporary romance
Source: Gifted

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Summary by Goodreads 




Imagine you go on a trip to Europe, no money, no camera, no contacts, just a bunch of letters in your bag.13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES makes me wish I could go on a trip through Europe right now!

This novel combines two of my favourite things: travelling and letters (writing and receiving them). I never read a novel with so many miles being travelled over such a short time. Protagonist Ginny travels through Europe and visits many fantastic European cities like Rome or Paris.
Great about 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES is that Maureen Johnson does not just send her heroine on a sightseeing trip through European capitals, but lets her experience crazy and fun adventures off the tourist path.

While reading these adventures seemed crazy and  random but in the end they miraculously completed to a whole.Ginny gains insight into the unconventional life of her aunt, meets many new people and finds the time to think about her own life, situation and maybe find love aswell.

The letters themselves aren't that witty and funny, the ideas of aunt Maddy often appear random. Unrealistic is that parents let her 17-year-old daughter travel to Europe on her own not knowing where she'll be staying or travelling. Maureen Johnson solved this conflict by simply stating that after a few discussions the parents agree.

13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES is the first novel I read by Maureen Johnson, everyone always kept saying I couldn't ignore her novels and I am glad I didn't. Johnson is an ironic and crazy author girl with a cool style.


1) of an artistic dog café in Paris
2) of ancient ruins in Rome
3) of sun and fun in Greece
4) of a museum tour in Amsterdam
5) of finding a friend in London  

3/5 *** The envelopes show the way to a funny and colorful read, a trip through Europe and life itself!

This novel is all about life,  seeing a bit of the world, finding love and friends and somehow managing not to loose your passport.


 
* Don't forget to check out THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE, the sequel to 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES.

* You can read an excerpt of 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES here

* Make sure to visit www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com

* You can find Maureen's 13 Little Travel Tips here.

* Thanks to Petra @ Safari Poet for sending me an e-copy of 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES!

1 comment:

  1. I've seen this book a lot in the store and wondered how good it was. I've heard a lot of talk about them in the past. I sounds like a pretty fun read.
    And who in their right mind wouldn't want to travel around Europe??? I would LOVE to!

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