I really, really loved this book. It was unlike anything I've read before.There were some things I didn't like. One was Ginny and Keith. They were sort of cute, but it seemed a little convenient about how Keith just kept popping up wherever Ginny was. The other thing I didn't like was how Ginny's parents just let her go around the world, with no problem or complaint, on a trip her not entirely sane aunt planned. Other than these two things, l loved this book. Definitely a good read, a solid four stars. It's really great, and I enjoyed reading it. The first thing a reader has to do when starting this book is suspend some disbelief. First, that a 17-year-old's parents would allow her to go off to Europe, alone, with only the money that a flaky aunt has provided, and a promise not to electronically contact anyone back in the U.S. (I think this is the way some cults gather members). If you can swallow that implausibility, then you might also be able to believe that the said clueless, never-been-out-of-the-country-before, 17-year-old travels through Europe (although without maps or language guides) completely unmolested. If you can accept all that without a "hmpf" then you might actually enjoy the story.I was able to (just) put aside my skepticism and try to appreciate the book for its other qualities. It is definitely a light, fast read, with some spots of humor, and it is definitely a young adult novel (some angst, a cute, but completely inappropriate/irresponsible boy). I liked the premise of the envelopes, and, as a frame, they serve the novel well. I was interested in Ginny's physical journey, and Johnson does a great job in painting the scenes of the various cities of Ginny visits. If the book had been any more serious, or any longer, I probably would have given up (in fact, the Australian students in the last part of the book started to drive me crazy). It was a good enough read.
What do You think about 13 Little Blue Envelopes (2009)?
Good light read for wanderlusting and girling out!
—marivi08
