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Books: 13 Little Blue Envelopes (#1), The Last Little Blue Envelope (#2)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Site: http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/
Category: Young Adult
Summary: 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 these two funny, romantic, heartbreaking novels. (Adapted from Goodreads)
My thoughts…
The good: The first (and so far, only) time I went to Europe, I was with one of my best friends, a tour group and completely prepared for my trip. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to go alone and have only $1000 to my name, a single backpack and 13 little blue unopened envelopes as my only guide. But that is exactly what happened to Ginny. Her aunt leaves her these random instructions and she actually follows them, which is part of the beauty of this book. To do something so spontaneous and out of her comfort zone. It's completely insane (and so fun to read about!). Ginny never pretends this is normal though and most of the people who hear her story think it's crazy too. Which I'm glad of.. because kids, this is not the smartest way to travel. But it allows her to see so much and learn so much about life and herself. The whole series is basically like one international scavenger hunt. The lesson her aunt tries to teach her through these haphazard notes is a heartwarming one.The bad: I sometimes got a little frustrated with Ginny. I get it though, here you are following these notes with no idea of how much money you have, where you're going next and how, you don't speak any languages and you're in foreign countries all by yourself. You're bound to panic. But sometimes I wanted to reach through the book, give her a hard shake and say: (1) do not follow strange boys to their apartments (!!) and (2) you're in freaking Europe, please take a couple moments to fully appreciate the beauty around you.
Do I recommend?: If you're in the mood for a light, fun read with tons of references to Europe (I was partial to her time in London & Paris, of course) - then I'd suggest picking these two books up.
Happy reading!
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