The European Reading Experience

Although I have never been to Paris, I have visited through some great books. Just recently I finished reading Just One Day by Gayle Forman.  Although the book starts out in Stratford-upon-Avon, Paris is the real destination. Allyson’s parents give her a tour of Europe but nothing is like she imagined from the movies she has seen. Until Stratford, where she meets a Dutch boy, Willem, who takes her on a whirlwind journey to Paris for just one day. Luckily the next book, Just One Year, is from Willem’s point of view and will be released in October.

While reading Just One Day, I was reminded of 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. The similarity was partly from breaking out of shells and experiencing life along with the travel aspect. Ginny’s aunt bequeaths to her 13 little blue envelopes and sends her around Europe following the directions given. The sequel is The Last Little Blue Envelope, which gives you a hint of what happens at the end of the first book.

And to end on Paris, I have to mention another of my favorite books, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Anna’s father sends her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. She isn’t thrilled until she meets Etienne St. Clair, who is gorgeous and funny but has a girlfriend. A light-hearted but engaging read.