Suspenseful and wonderfully detailed, the well-crafted story maintains its page-turning pace while adding small doses of cultural insight and humor., 'As the setting shifts, so does the story's tone, from Vassar's stilted home life and stuffy parents to a vividly described environment and array of colorful characters. anyone who has lost their luggage has felt their well planned slip through their fingers or has made a list of goals, or even things to do will laugh out loud and love this book.As the setting shifts, so does the story's tone, from Vassar's stilted home life and stuffy parents to a vividly described environment and array of colorful characters. This book is so much fun I recommend you give it as a gift to someone else who is searching for good, fun young adult books.” -Armchair Interviews I loved the plot, enjoyed the characters (although Grandma Gerd really ‘ticked' me off sometimes) and appreciated that the author could draw me in so completely to Vassar's world. a classic coming-of-age story and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.” -Bookslut

“Cornwell brings the setting to life so vividly that you can practically feel the sweat running down your body as you read parts of the book.” -The YA YA YAs / blog “Take a traveler as reluctant as Anne Tyler'' accidental tourist and add the number of misadventures found in The Out-of-Towners, and you have the recipe for Cornwell' hilarious, adventure-packed first novel.” -Publishers Weekly “A witty coming-of-age adventure.” -Kirkus Reviews “The locale, Vassar's gaffes, and quirky characters-especially Grandma Gerd and Hank-are what set this book apart.” -VOYA Cornwell genially skewers both Ivy League-obsessed nerds and the Lonely Planet crowd.” -The Washington Post “This is self-confessed travel junkie Autumn Cornwell's first novel-and she's hit one out of the park. Suspenseful and wonderfully detailed, the well-crafted story maintains its page-turning pace while adding small doses of cultural insight and humor.” -School Library Journal, Starred Review “As the setting shifts, so does the story's tone, from Vassar's stilted home life and stuffy parents to a vividly described environment and array of colorful characters.

Carpe diem by autumn cornwell