My San Francisco Top 10

San Francisco is my new favorite city, "I left my heart in San Fran", as you say ;). The city has so much to offer, I spent seven days there and it was not enough. Here are my Top Ten things to do in the city, in no particular order:
- Coit Tower: Omg, the view from up there is incredible. You can see downtown, the Bay bridge, Golden Gate bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz and the surrounding land. It's AMAZING!! It costs 7$ and it's totally worth it. 

- Twin Peaks: Speaking of views, absolutely incredible. A little hike is included to get to the top and up there what you see is fab! You see down to the city and all around it, you can also see Golden Gate bridge. When I was up there it was a bit foggy, so the bridge was barely visible, loved it! It's also close to the Castro district, which is always worth a visit. 

- Alamo Square/Painted Ladies: These Victorian houses look fab next to each other. On top of that you have a fab park to hang out at und a view of the city in the background. 

- Bike Ride over Golden Gate Bride/Vista Point: You see the bridge from different angles, stop at Palace of Fine Arts and then on the beach along the way. It's perfect for pictures. On the other side of the bride there is Vista Point, you get a fab look on the bridge and of course it's another great place for photos. 

- Alcaraz: You get to see the city from the water and then explore the prison. It's very interesting and the audio tour is great! You also get another view of Golden Gate bride and the city. 

- Shopping/Union Square: Macy's, Bloomingdale's, a shopping centre, all you need! And Union Square is very pretty too!!!

- Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf: Sea Lions, water, lots of restaurants. It's just so much fun to hang out there. The place to go: Boudin, where you can have clam chowder in sour dough bread (it's a must!)

- Cable Car: A must in San Francisco! It's 7$, but the ticket is pretty and you can get from the water to the centre or the other way round. 

- Day Trips: Must sees are Muir Woods, Monterey, Carmel, the 17 Mile Drive and of course also Yosemite National Park. The area around SF has so much to offer. 

- Sunset Cruise: Omg, it's just so pretty!!! Being on the water, enjoying a few drinks and looking at the sunset with Golden Gate bride. 

Of course there are more highlights to see and do in the city, but I had to narrow it down to ten, right?! Other fab places: Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square/Factory, Ferry Building Market Place and lots of fab restaurants. San Fran is great for Sushi. 

My favourite places/things to do in New York City

I actually don’t know, where to start this list, because New York is such an amazing city, I will try tell you about my favourite places and what makes them so special though. Here we go:

-       Central Park: This park is an absolute beauty! From the lakes and ponds, tot he bridges, the laws, the rocks, just everything is so pretty in this park. There are so many possibilities to relax, sit down and just enjoy the sunshine.

-       Top of the Rock: Need I say more! The view up there is breath-taking!!!! And you can see the Empire from it, which is amazing. A little tip if you are going: Choose a day with good weather and get a ticket with a chosen time the day before, like that you don’t have to wait for a long time.

-       Liberty Island: The view onto Manhattan from there is awesome and the statue is pretty great as well. Have a walk around the island and just enjoy this magnificent atmosphere.

-       9/11 Memorial and Museum: This left me speechless! The museum is so well done, it’s shocking, touching and ... And the memorial, wow! I can’t really describe the way I felt being there, memories of this day came back and when I was there, it was raining, which made it even more special to me.

-       New York Rangers/Madison Square Garden: A great arena and some fab live hockey!!!

-       Broadway: Musicals everywhere!!! This is my paradise, so many shows to choose from!!!

-       Times Square: Maybe not everyone’s taste, but you have to see it. The feeling standing on Times Square surrounded by all these lights is pretty awesome.

-       Shopping: New York is great for shopping. From 5th Avenue to Macy’s and so much more. My faves: Victoria Secret, Steve Madden, Massimo Dutti, Banana Republic, Abercrombie and Fitch...

-       Bryant Park: A lovely park, just located by the National Library. A great spot to look at the Empire State Building and just relax.

-       Empire State Building: You also have a great view up here, a bit closer to Downtown Manhattan, which is fab.

So here we go, these are my faves in NYC, I could go on, but I wanted to keep it small and really mention the most important things!

My New York - Travel Diary Blog Post: http://skysbookcorner.blogspot.ch/2016/04/new-york-city-america-adventure-part-1.html

My Vlogs:

My Top 10 Books 2013

Well, I am not picking only books published in 2013, because I have read so many different ones this year and it’s my first year as a blogger, so I’m including all the books I’ve read this year. From next year on, as you already know I’m am doing a Book of the Month section and at the end of the year I will pick my faves out of these 12. So here are my favorites for this year and I have to tell you it was a really hard decision, because I read so many great ones. Enjoy :)

1. Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon

2. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

3. Just for Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

4. Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

5. The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

6.  The Johnny series by Paige Toon

7. It’s Raining Men by Milly Johnson

8. Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

9. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

10. The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris

Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon

I just love Paige’s books so much. This one is probably my favourite one. I clicked with Daisy instantly, partly because she swears in Italian and she is so awesome. Then there are Will and Luis, both incredible in their own way. I’m so glad Daisy found her happiness. It was great to read her story, going through good and also sad times. Such an emotional and addicting book, couldn’t put it down.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Such a heart-breaking, beautiful and emotional story. It was great to see how Louisa managed to get closer to Will and how he was different when she was around. I had to cry non stop through some of the pages and this untypical story is written beautifully and touches every heart.

 Just for Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

Amazing story, great characters and some deep meanings. You see two people meet, both of them with a past and a background they don’t want to share and they get closer and closer. Scarlett has a vivid way to describe the story and I got hooked instantly.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

A beautiful story to dive into immediately, which never makes you want to leave again. Jackson O’Neil the sexy and perfect man, who manages to break Kayla’s shell. Their chemistry is undeniable. Can’t wait to read more of the O’Neil brothers and I’m so happy Jackson and Kayla found their happy end.

     The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

Completing a list to get your inheritance? No way, that’s going to work. The lovely Brett is trying to do that and it’s great to see her being a teacher and finding the love of her life. It takes her quiet a while, especially for the last one, but I really thinks she ends up with the right guy. What a lovely and wonderful debut novel.

Johnny Be Good, Baby Be Mine and Johnny's Girl by Paige Toon

                

The story of Johnny and Meg is a total rollercoaster with ups and downs and so much drama. Loved them from the start and it was great to finally see them happy at the end of Baby Be Mine. In Johnny’s Girl I adored their relationship so much and I loved their scenes. Paige is a great and talented writer and made Johnny and Meg such alive characters. 

 It’s Raining Men by Milly Johnson

Not just a great romantic read, it’s also a story with a deeper and greater meaning. The three friends May, Lara and Clare have such a great friendship and it’s so interesting what each one experiences in this small village, where everything is weird: the people and the weather...

Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

In this case the quote “Reading is dreaming with open eyes” totally describes how I felt through out the story. I could imagine this life and world so easily and I am so glad Carole introduced us to the lovely Lapland. This story is really fascinating, vivid and full of extraordinary moments. LOVED IT!

Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

Wonderful debut novel. I fell in love with this story around Billy and Sophie. A lot of ups and downs written in a magnificent way. The emotions came right through to me.

The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris

Such an emotional, moving and heart-breaking story. I loved Molly’s and Ryan’s story so much and it shows how much every single kiss means. It’s a memory for life, we shouldn’t forget that. Ali’s writing is beautiful and very emotional.

That was it for this year my lovely friends. I am so glad I got to know you all in this year, I found some true friends and enjoyed every minute of blogging. Have a nice NYE and a happy 2014. See you next year :)