maureen johnson

The Last Little Blue Envelope [Book Review]

Michelle2 Comments

Title: The Last Little Blue Envelope
Author: Maureen Johnson
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0061976792
Pages: 288
Year: 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Public Library
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

When Ginny had her backpack stolen in Greece, she thought that final letter from her aunt was lost forever. Then one day she receives an email from a boy in London who has it. And before she knows it, she is on a plane for part two of her adventure.

My Thoughts:

A few weeks ago I raved about 13 Little Blue Envelopes.  It shouldn’t surprise you that it didn’t take me long to pick up the sequel. I read The Last Little Blue Envelope about as quickly as I devoured the first. And I enjoyed it almost as much.

This time around, Ginny isn’t traveling alone. She has Keith with her. Which could be really romantic if it weren’t for the fact that Keith’s new girlfriend, Ellis, is also part of the gang. Not to mention Oliver, who is essentially blackmailing Ginny.  The gang goes off to Paris, Amsterdam, and Dublin this time where things (surprise) don’t go as planned.

I said I wasn’t thrilled with the romantic aspect of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and that feeling continued for me here. I knew what direction it was going to go and I just kept hoping I’d be wrong.

Thankfully, Ginny and her adventures more than make up for any little issues I have. I recommend both books when you’re in the mood for something light and fun.

Others’ Thoughts: Anna Reads; Reclusive Bibliophile; KellyVision

Buy It Now: Amazon; Powell’s; IndieBound; Book Depository

13 Little Blue Envelopes [Book Review]

Michelle4 Comments

13 Little Blue EnvelopesTitle: 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Author: Maureen Johnson
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0060541431
Pages: 352
Year: 2006
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Source: Personal Collection
Rating: 4.5/5

In 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Ginny, coaxed by her recently deceased Aunt Peg by way of letters, goes on a whirlwind European adventure. From London to Rome to Denmark to Greece, she sees the world while discovering who she is and who her free-spirited aunt really was.

My Thoughts:

This book came to me at the perfect time. I was in the midst of my European adventure when I picked up this book. I read in one evening in Venice and on the train to Vienna. It was a blast reading about Ginny’s travels while on my own.

But, even if you are in the comfort of your own home, I’m pretty sure you will love this book. It is fun and funny. Ginny is lovable, the people she encounters are unique, and the missions she is sent on are interesting. The only thing I would have liked would be more Keith. She has this little romance going on, but I didn’t feel like he was around enough, so it felt a little forced.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope. I know this isn’t the best review. Just trust me and the awesomeness that is Maureen Johnson and read it. Ok?

Others’ Thoughts: Let’s eat, Grandpa! Let’s eat Grandpa! (Punctuation saves lives.); GReads!; KellyVision; Fiction Folio.

Buy It Now: IndieBound; Powell’s; Amazon; Book Depository

Suite Scarlett [GIVEAWAY!]

Michelle3 Comments

I meant to include a giveaway of Suite Scarlett with my review yesterday, but I guess my brain is still a little sleep-deprived.

While I did enjoy listening to Suite Scarlett, I doubt I’ll be listening to it again, so I thought I would end audiobook week by passing it on to one of my readers.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this is an MP3-CD.

As much as I love making you leave something interesting in the comments for contests, the google form makes my life much simpler. So IF YOU’D LIKE TO (it is not required), please tell me what your favorite audiobook is in the comments.

  • Open internationally (because I love you all!)
  • You must fill out the google form below to enter (only one entry per person)
  • The contest will run until midnight EDT on July 7, 2010.
  • I will use random.org to pick a winner on July 8.

Suite Scarlett [Book Review]

Michelle4 Comments

Title: Suite Scarlett
Author: Maureen Johnson (narrated by Jeannie Stith)
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 1423381068
Pages: 384(12.5 hrs audio)
Year: 2009
Source: Publisher (provided at Book Blogger Convention)
Rating: 4/5

Summary (from Powell’s):

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City. Her nineteen-year-old brother, Spencer, is an out of work actor facing a family deadline to get his career in order. Eighteen-year-old Lola has the delicate looks of a model, the practical nature of a nurse, and a wealthy society boyfriend. Eleven-year-old Marlene is the family terror with a tragic past.


When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett’s fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn’t quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.


With Mrs. Amberson calling the shots, Spencer’s career to save, Lola’s love life to navigate around, and Marlene’s prying eyes everywhere, things won’t be easy. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deception.

The show, as they say, must always go on . . . .
My Thoughts:

I’d never read any of Maureen Johnson’s books before I went to the Book Blogger Convention. She opened the day with her keynote address and was simply HILARIOUS. After listening to her speak, I knew I had to remedy that asap. So when I saw that a copy of Suite Scarlett was generously given to each of us by Brilliance Audio, I made it my next audiobook (I also picked up another one of her books in print).

Suite Scarlett took me a little while to get into. At first I thought maybe I wasn’t liking it. But at some point, I found myself looking forward to getting in the car again or putting on my headphones as much as possible.  Suite Scarlett is full of quirky characters and I love me some quirky characters (Spencer was my favorite in this book). I think I can safely say that the book was more about the characters than about the story. The plot was interesting, but if you think about it, not that much really happened.

I will admit that I did get that fun first love feeling that you often experience when reading YA a few times, but then I also got a little annoyed with Scarlett’s decisions re: that first love (just like I often experience when reading YA).

Suite Scarlett was funny and entertaining. I’m excited to read some more of Johnson’s works, including the sequel, Scarlett Fever.

Other Reviews:

Don’t forget to head over over to Devourer of Books for more audiobook week reviews and discussions today!