Book Review & Giveaway | Serendipidus by Jennifer Ott

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

This Sunday is a bit different here at OpenLetter2NYC! I just completed my first ever 24-hour readathon! I heard about Dewey's Readathon last minute, but I decided to participate a bit. It was a great experience, and I can't wait until the next one!

During the readathon, I completed Serendipidus by Jennifer Ott. This book is just delightful! The story revolves around Venetia De Mille, a famous supermodel living in New York City. Venetia was raised in a nunnery, not knowing who her parents are. All the nuns knew was that she was to love nature. That she did! Venetia was very in tune with the Earth, and even talked to animals more than people. The nuns made her leave the convent so she could find her true destiny in life, and when Venetia ends up in bustling NYC, she lucked into a modeling job after being scouted in Central Park. She wasn't thrilled with her career, but her angelic looks allowed her to buy a penthouse apartment away from the noisy city streets.

Serendipidus really gets going when Venetia meets a shunned scientist, Poindexter Scheigopherer. When a sudden and violent storm shakes the Earth to a halt, Venetia and Poindexter join forces to try and get the Earth spinning again. What follows is their trip around the world as they try to get society to wake up from the devastation before it's too late and they all meet their doom.

While Serendipidus is a short read at just over 200 pages, it is a great one, packed with adventure, humor, and thought-provoking passages. Our villain in this story is none other than Medusa Dominatrix, and while she is quite despicable for trying to end Earth's existence, I always laughed at her ridiculous antics and looked forward to every appearance she made in the story. I was also very impressed with Ott's ability to make such a deep and dark, apocalyptic plot very uplifting and enjoyable. Serendipidus is full of hope, and it really helps shed light on how our actions are affecting the Earth even when we don't think anything of them. Ott does a great job at creating a wonderful story while simultaneously commenting on society.

Overall, I loved Serendipidus and highly recommend it. It is a quick and easy read, and one that I think anyone will enjoy. Part end of the word, part urban fantasy, and part humor, Serendipidus has something for everyone. You can purchase the book on Amazon for just $2.99 HERE. You can also enter to win a copy of Serendipidus by entering the giveaway below. Best of luck!


Did you take part in Dewey's Readathon? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Snapshot Sunday | My Street Art Obsession

I always love seeing street art throughout the city. Whether it's a mural or a smaller piece, I always feel the need to snap a picture no matter how touristy I feel doing so. Now that it's spring and finally sunny outside, I've been able to walk a lot more, and have been spotting new-to-me street art. Here are a couple that I particularly liked this week.

"Love Me" – taken on Broadway near Canal Street

Funky Alien Creatures! Not sure what to call this. Taken on E 2nd Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery.

Do you enjoy street art as much as I do? Let me know in the comments!

Book Review | Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Today's book review is of Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins, a brand new release that just hit bookstores earlier this month. I read this book as part of the Booksplosion Read Along group on Goodreads, an online book club that reads a book together every month. I went into Rebel Belle not knowing what I thought of the plot, which I'd heard described as "Legally Blonde meets The Terminator." I'm a huge Elle Woods fan, but The Terminator is not really my thing. I do happen to love the pink and girly cover, complete with the rose gold lettering on the spine. If I was judging Rebel Belle simply on presentation, it would get a five out of five stars!


As for the story, it is definitely something quite new. Our protagonist is Harper Price, a perfect, southern belle who is about to be crowned Homecoming Queen the night we meet her. Harper realizes she forgot to wear lip gloss to the dance (which is totally not acceptable), so she borrow's her best friend's and heads to the bathroom to quickly apply it before the crowning ceremony. Then, something weird happens.

I won't give too many other details, since I personally think it is more fun to discover Rebel Belle's twists and turns along the way. Let's just say that Harper is given superpowers through the kiss of her high school's janitor right before he dies at the hand of her history teacher. The remainder of the novel follows Harper as she learns what these new powers mean, and how she must live the rest of her life.

Overall, I really enjoyed Rebel Belle. The story was a bit slow at first, but got progressively better and faster with each chapter. I was, however, quite disappointed with the myriad of grammatical errors throughout the book. The story is told in first person from Harper's point of view. Harper speaks to the reader as if she is telling a story, and perhaps Hawkins made the artistic decision to keep the language of the book colloquial. But the number of sentences ending in prepositions is staggeringly high, and I also noticed a handful of comma mistakes. Despite the fun story, these errors were distracting, and I ended up with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm also shocked that many other reviews neglect to mention the grammar whatsoever. 

Nonetheless, I do recommend Rebel Belle for its unique story and great characters. The book is light and funny, but also contains some great action. I would definitely label it a summer read. Rebel Belle is also the first book in a new series. I don't think I'll be continuing on with it, as I was satisfied with the ending, and would prefer to leave the story as depicted in the last few scenes. If you like action mixed with fantasy mixed with southern belles, give Rebel Belle a shot. And, if you've already read it, please share your thoughts with me in the comments!

You can purchase Rebel Belle on Amazon HERE.

I use Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Snapshot Sunday | When Neighborhoods Collide

This week's Snapshot Sunday features a corner that I see quite frequently on my walk to school. With the TriBeCa Film Festival right around the corner, banners are popping up throughout the city advertising the event. One of the banners just happened to be hanging on the same light post of one of Little Italy's signature decorations. This exact spot is right on the edge of Little Italy in SoHo, right before crossing into TriBeCa. I love the intersection of neighborhoods, and had to capture it on the bright, spring day we were experiencing. 

You can get full information about the TriBeCa Film Festival on its official site here: CLICK

Book Cake Tag!

I've recently added a new element to OpenLetter2NYC, and that is books! I thought the Book Cake Tag (see original video HERE) would be a fun way to introduce you to some of the books I love. This tag bakes a cake out of our favorite books! Each ingredient has a meaning, and a corresponding book. You'll see what I mean when you start reading more, so let's jump right into it!

Flour 

a book that was slow to start off, but picked up as it went along

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling [BUY]

J.K. Rowling seems to be an expert at starting books off slowly. I remember Harry Potter being painfully boring at the start, but I always raced to the finish once we got to Hogwarts. I did end up enjoying The Casual Vacancy, but it was definitely a slower read. I do recommend it despite its mediocre rating.

Butter
a book with a rich and great plot

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb [BUY]

I've not read this book for years, but it is one of my all-time favorites. To this day I am still amazed at how a male author was able to develop such a deep female character. She's Come Undone follows the protagonist throughout her life, and doesn't skimp on any details. It's hyped for a reason! 

Eggs
a book you thought was going to be bad, but turned out to be enjoyable

The Rules According to JWOWW by Jenni "JWOWW" Farley [BUY]

I only purchased this book because I went to JWOWW's book signing. In fact, you can read all about it HERE! While this book is no literary masterpiece, I found it quite fun to read, and I was surprised at some of the great advice JWOWW gave her fans. If you're a Jersey Shore fan, make sure to grab a copy! 

Sugar
a very sweet book

In the Bag by Kate Klise [BUY]

I recently read this book, and it was super adorable! You can read my full review HERE, but I will say that if you're looking for a fun and quick read filled with non-sickening love, this is a great choice.

Icing

a book that covered every element that you enjoy

Panic by Lauren Oliver [BUY]

My taste in books has changed a lot over the years, but Panic definitely sums up everything that I love: a page turner that is easy to read, and filled with action-packed surprises, complete with a solid ending. Those elements may not make up the best book, but since I read hundreds of pages a week for school, something light is great. Otherwise, it takes me forever to read a book, and I end up forgetting the story each time I pick it up again. 

Sprinkles

a book series that you turn to for a pick-me-up when you're feeling down

Sweet Valley High [BUY]

Growing up I used to love getting Sweet Valley books from the library. If I'm in a reading slump, or just want something I can whip through in a few hours, I pick up a Sweet Valley High book. Each can be read as a stand-alone story, so there's no need to read them in order. I own a few books from the series, and I've loved them all!

Cherry on Top

your favorite book so far this year

Something Real by Heather Demetrios [BUY]

You already know how much I love this book! If not, read my full review HERE. I'm so glad I picked this book up, and love that I have a signed copy! I'll definitely be reading it again at some point.

That's it for the Book Cake Tag! I hope you enjoyed it! Please make sure to follow OpenLetter2NYC – just check out the sidebar for details. Also feel free to leave me a comment with your answers to these questions! 

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Confusing NYC | On Line vs In Line – Where Do You Stand?

It's time for another new series here on OpenLetter2NYC! Ever since I made the move to the city from the Greater Boston Area, I've found myself puzzled by certain NYC things. I never expected a huge cultural shift, but life here is quite different than what I was used to experiencing on the daily. Confusing NYC will discuss those things, big and small, that I just don't get about NYC. Please feel free to join in with your thoughts!

__________________________________________

You're at a store, ready to purchase your items. You head to the cash register, but you have to wait. Where do you stand? That is the question. 

I've always stood in line, but suddenly my fellow shoppers are asking, "Are you on line?" Well, no, I'm not online. I'm shopping here, not surfing the web. And then it hit me – the cultural divide. One simple word change and my mind is blown. In fact, all that's different is one letter, but that one little letter causes a divide. 

At the end of the Starbucks line, where you'll find me too often.

For the past two years now, I've wondered why. Why do New Yorkers use the phrase on line to signify when they are standing in a line? Perhaps there is historical significance. To me, the phrase "on line" means that one is physically standing on a line. Today, the majority of locales where one must wait his turn do not have a line on the ground on which we must stand. Every once in a while, I'll spot such a line, or arrows designating where to stand, but that is rare. And so, there is no physical line.  

The line is in fact our bodies. We form the line, standing behind one another in a sometimes personal bubble-invading manner. If I called that standing on line, I would have to be standing on a fellow human who has formed the line, and I don't think that would pan out too well. Instead, I am standing in the line we formed together. It's a magical thing. 

I know this seems petty, to argue between in and on. But to me it's fascinating. A single letter change can confuse tourists and cause a debate about who got there first, and who is to be served next. Despite my love for New York, I plan on using my personal preference of in line in perpetuity, but I want to know – where do you stand? Please tell me in the comments if you use the phrase on line or in line, and where you're from. 

Book Review | Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Shrek tells Donkey that onions have layers, and so too does Something Real. You can take it at the top layer – a teenage love story. Or, you can peel those layers back to reveal the core – a comment on our reality TV obsessed society. The good news is that each layer tells an amazing story in its own right, and author Heather Demetrios does an amazing job of giving the reader all the feels. 

Join protagonist Bonnie™ Baker as she continues her senior year of high school, trying to live it as normally as possible after a life in the limelight. Her family is the subject of popular reality show Baker's Dozen. You guessed it: Bonnie™ is one of thirteen siblings, and the only one birthed by her mother. The show was cancelled a few years back, after some serious family drama. Bonnie™ is finally creating a life for herself, though she must lie to her friends to keep her fame a secret. Something Real is told through Bonnie™'s perspective, and readers begin to understand what life is like for those surrounded by cameras 24/7. 

I normally wouldn't purchase a brand new hardcover at Barnes & Noble, but I had a 15% off coupon and headed to the Union Square location to use it. With it's vibrant cover and "Autographed Copy" sticker  I knew Something Real was going to be mine. Plus, as a reality TV junkie, this book called out to me as soon as I read the dust jacket's summary.

My signed copy! 

The story is one of the first of its kind – a fiction book that goes behind the scenes of the reality TV phenomenon and shows the reality behind "reality." I find this story beyond intriguing. I couldn't figure out where Demetrios was guiding the reader. In fact, the ending was unforeseeable to me, yet I was compelled to keep turning the pages despite my blindness. Something Real is definitely one of those books that I'll be reading again, as there is so much to grasp between the words written on the page. I highly recommend this book whether you're a lover of young adult fiction, a fan of reality TV, or simply looking for a unique book to read. You won't be disappointed! 

Purchase Something Real on Amazon or Book Depository.  

The links above are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.