13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson

Hello there, kittens!

Introducing The Best Beach Book For The Month Of June!
Hope you like it, and just so you know, this might be a bit of a long post ;)

What the book says: Here’s the deal: Aunt Peg, the New York artist and the person Ginny Blackstone depended on to make her life interesting, took off to Europe without a word three years ago. Aside from a few postcards, Ginny hasn’t heard much. Then she gets a horrible phone call that changes everything.

But the story is only beginning. Soon after, Ginny receives one little blue envelope from Aunt Peg containing a thousand dollars and some very strange instructions…

Rule #1. You may only bring what fits in your backpack. Dont try and fake it out with a purse or a carry on.

Rule #2. You may not bring guidebooks, phrase books, or any kind of foreign language aid. And no journals.

Rule #3. You cannot bring any kind of extra money, or credit/debit cards, travelers checks, ect. I'll take care of all that.

Rule #4. No electronic crutches. This means, no laptop, no cell phone, no music, and no camera. You can't call home or communicate with people in the U.S. by internet or telephone. Postcards and letters are acceptable and encouraged.

And with that, she is sent off to pick up a package containing twelve similar envelopes, which she can open one by one, as instructed. Each letter contains a task that Ginny must perform.

Soon, the mild-mannered and quiet Ginny (who’s barely made it out of New Jersey before) finds herself running from London to Paris to Rome, and beyond. Along the way, she collects a number of new friends, including: a manager from Harrods department store who runs errands for the rich and famous, a handsome but maddening thief-turned-playwright, a celebrity painter who tattoos the names of her pets on her body, and the angriest vegetable salesman in all of France.

As time goes on, Ginny realizes that her aunt has sent her on a mission, and that there is something big waiting for her in the thirteenth envelope. All she has to do is make it from place to place and complete all of the tasks that have been set before her.

As if life is that easy.


What I say: This book is incredible! Its fabulously well-written (all of Maureen Johnson's books are, I strongly recommend her as a author), and Johnson keeps you guessing all through the book, as to what the next letter will say, as to how Ginny will react, as to how the relationships throughout the book will fall into place, its all very very intriguing and sweet.
Of course, there are the regular mishaps, but this seems to make Ginny more realistic and easier to relate to, and of course, there is a romance in this book! (What would a Beach Read be without a romantic fling!?) ANYWAY, before you head off for tans and salt and waves, be sure to drop by the library and pick up a copy, you will never forgive yourself if you dont! (and I will never forgive you either....)

Love,
M.