2011 Blog Wrap Up

This Year I have posted 200 posts (including this one)

I have read 60 books this year

- The Great Gatsby

- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

- The Girl Who Played With Fire

-Room

-The Heretic's Daughter

-America By Heart

-Red Riding Hood

- Sarah's Key

-Look Again

-Th1reteen R3asons Why

-Luxe (Luxe Series #1)

-Rumors (Luxe Series #2)

-Envy (Luxe Series #3)

-Splendor (Luxe Series #4)

-Hex Hall (Hex Hall Series #1)

-Demon Glass (Hex Hall Series #2)

-Heist Society

-Beastly

-Please Ignore Vera Dietz

-The Wedding Girl

-White Cat

-A Kiss In Time

-Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me

-The Debutante

-Madame Tussaud 

-Romeo's Ex

-If I Stay (Book 1)

-Where She Went (Book 2)

-Jinx

-The Carrie Diaries

-Favorite

-Mad Love

-Deja Dead (Temperance Brennan Series #1)

-Death Du Jour (Temperance Brennan Series #2)

-A Scattered Life

-I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You (Gallagher Girl Series #1)

-Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy (Gallagher Girl Series #2)

-Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover (Gallagher Girl Series #3)

-Paranormalcy

-Vixen

-Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods Series #1)

-Masquerade (Blue Bloods Series #2)

-Revelations (Blue Bloods Series #3)

-The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods Series #4)

-Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods Series #5)

-Star Struck

-The Arranger

-Frost

-Heart of the Matter

-The Scorpio Races

-Ruby Red

-Bright Young Things

-The Hangman's Daughter

-Devoted

- Daughter of  Smoke and Bone

-Brother/Sister

- The Surgeon

- My Zoo Family

- Disorderly Conduct

-Sweet Little Lies

-Dearly, Departed

-Becoming Marie Antoinette

-Laughing at Wall Street


I Have Had 12 Book Boyfriends
-Bram
-Gideon
-Henri Charles
-Zack Rosen
-Adam Wilde
-Benvolio
-Archer Cross
-Cal
-W.W. Hale the V
-Henry Schoonmaker
-Marcelo
-Peter




I Have Participated in 24 In My Mailboxes 
and 
21 Top Ten Tuesdays 


The Survey Part of this Always Seems Fun, but then when I actually have to think about it... it is really hard to choose... So, this is my small survey that somewhat sums up my 2011 reading experience. --- These books aren't necessarily books published in 2011, just book I read this year.

Favorite Book ...

It is TOO hard to pick JUST one...

 Most Anticipated Book...

Book I Recommended Most...

Book That Disappointed Me The Most...

Most Unique Plot...

Book That Will Make You Cry...

Best Series...

The Blue Bloods Series By Melissa De La Cruz

Least Favorite Series...

The Luxe Series By Anna Godbersen

Book That Surprised Me...

Beautifully Told Story...

Laughing At Wall Street

I can sum up this book in two words... Fun & Easy

I am always interesting in investing, stock markets etc. and I am always interested in learning more, but most books on investing are SO boring, I just can't read them! When I was asked to review this book, I was told it wouldn't be like any other investing book and Boy were they right. If you are like me, interested in stocks and stuff, but can't read the standard boring books on it, then please go pick up Laughing At Wall Street.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Books Read In 2011

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

1. If I Stay By Gayle Forman

2. Where She Went By Gayle Forman

3. Dearly, Departed By Lia Habel

4. Madame Tussaud By Michelle Moran

5. Blue Bloods Series By Melissa De La Cruz

6. Ruby Red By Kerstin Grier

 7. Demon Glass By Rachel Hawkins

8. Heist Society By Ally Carter

9. The Great Gatsby By F.Scott Fitzgerald

10. Bright Young Things By Anna Godbersen

In My Mailbox (24) - Holiday Edition

Gifts

Kill Grandma For Me By Joe Defeince

The Name of the Star By Maureen Johnson

Lola and The Boy Next Door By Stephenie Perkins

The Help By Kathryn Stockett

The Girl in The Steel Corset By Kady Cross

Treasure Island By Robert Louis Stevenson

The Secret Garden By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Black Beauty By Anna Sewell

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights By Howard Pyle

The Swiss Family Robinson BY Johann David Wyss

Bought

Vixen By Jillian Larkin - Thank You Random House and Random Buzzers

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! 

Hello guys!
I have had such a busy week! It has been insane, both good and bad! This year will be my first year hosting Christmas! We are having Brandon's Family over at our apartment for Christmas Day and Eve! (His Mom and Brother have been here since Monday) Anyways, I have been busy working and entertaining that I haven't had a lot of time to read and update, but I hope once Christmas is over that will change, My goal is to at least get an end of the year round up post out.   Anyways, If I am not posting the next few days I apologize, but I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, filled with love, laughter and cheer!

-Kelsey <3

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Hope Santa Brings

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

1. Harry Potter (The French Version)

2. Anna and The French Kiss By Stephanie Perkins

3. The Name of The Star By Maureen Johnson

4. Uncommon Criminals By Ally Carter

5. The Girl in the Steel Corset By Kady Cross

6. Shatter Me By Tahereh Mafi

7. Graffiti Moon By Cath Crowley

8. The Princesses of Iowa By M. Molly Blackes

9. Beauty Queens By Libba Bray

10. The Agency 1 By Y.S. Lee

In My Mailbox (23)

Hosted By The Story Siren

Gifts

The Paris Wife By Paula McLain

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

Elizabeth : The Struggle for the Throne By David Starkey

Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover

Summary:

"When Cammie Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she’s in for an exciting end to her summer. After all, she’s there to watch Macey’s father accept the nomination for vice president. But when you go to the world’s best school (for spies), “exciting” and “deadly” are never far apart. Soon the girls find themselves trapped in a kidnappers’ plot, with only their espionage skills to save them"

Plot: The plots of the 1st two books were way more dare I say juvenile and bubblegum (still entertaining though) compared to this plot, which takes a more serious tone and really prepares the Gallagher Girls for lives as spies.
Characters: The character who we see change the most is Macey, everyone else stays basically the same, I love the addition of Aunt Abby to this book, she was young,hip and an awesome agent.
Pros: Relate-able Characters, Girly while being kick ass, at times funny, great writing
Cons: Repetitive.. It annoys me that Cammie's Covert Missions almost always get busted and that she says this quote a bajillion times " I feel like someone is watching me..." or close to that.
Final Thoughts: I have always liked the series, but I preferred this book out of the 1st two, minus the two cons that drove me insane. I enjoyed that there was real spy work at hand and not just training scenarios, I liked that Carter brings back old characters. Overall it is the more adult-ish book in the series and I enjoyed it.

Misguided Angel (Book 5, Blue Bloods)

Summary:

"After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods.

As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires."

Plot: The plot thickens! Dun..Dun.. Dun!... DeLaCruz adds a whole lot of new info, we have Mimi as regent struggling to keep the New York Coven united, Jack and Schulyer's love for each other, while they search for the portals and then De Lz Cruz adds the kicker. Which makes the plot for the series THAT much crazier.

Characters: De La Cruz really only focuses on four main characters in this book, she isn't name dropping a bajillion different characters into the scenario, as some of the past books (which wasn't bad and was easy to follow). She kept it Simple and didn't build so much the characters this time as she did the story.

Pros: Great writing, great story and De La Cruz always changes her format.

Cons: Too Short

Final Thoughts:  I enjoyed Book 5 a lot more then I did Books 3 and 4. I liked how she told the story in Parts. Part 1 - Jack and Schulyer's story, Part 2 - Mimi's, Part 3 Deming. It told each of their main stories, without jumping back and forth, but still relating with the other Parts. The new plot twist the author has added is totally crazy, but kind of makes sense. I just didn't see it coming. It is not where I thought this book was heading, but I like it.  I just wish the story was a little longer

My Book Boyfriend (12)

Hosted By Missie From The Unread Reader

So, this weeks Book Boyfriend is... 

Abraham Griswold aka Bram 

from Dearly, Departed

Why is he my Boyfriend?

Well, besides being a 16 year old Zombie, who originally served for the Punks.

Bram likes to...

 read books, 

writes in a diary, 

is a Captain in the Z Army,

Sleeps with a teddy bear

 and is waiting for the right girl. 

Basically, you can easily get past the whole Zombie thing, cause he is sweet as can be!

And there will be no photo for Bram cause honestly, a picture cannot do justice to the beautiful zombie man I have in my head.

Top Ten Tuesday : Books I Want To Give As Gifts

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

I wish I could give books as gifts to EVERYONE! But unfortunately, not many people in my actual life as huge readers, or people I would want to make the effort to give a book. But here are the books I DO give as gifts or want to.

1. I Do, Now What? By Giuliana & Bill Rancic

I like to give this book as an engagement gift.

2. Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea By Chelsea Handler

The Chelsea Handler Books are always good books to give, especially to people who aren't big readers. The stories are funny, she is well known and it makes a great and different go to gift. All her books would work, but I find that Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea is by far her funniest.

3. I'd Tell You I'd Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You By Ally Carter

 I recommended this book to a family I was working for, we were having trouble getting one of the kids to read her books for school and being the avid reader I am, it pained me to see her hatred for reading. I would normally recommend Harry Potter, but she thought they we too long and scary, So that is how this book came along. Why? because the book is age relate-able, it is funny and girly and badass. And simply put it isn't hard to read. Simply put it is YA Chick Lit.

4. The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

It is a Classic. Enough Said.

5. If I Stay By Gayle Forman

A Heart breaking contemporary, that I find it hard to believe anyone who read it, would hate it.  In fact, I just forced my mom to buy this book for her Nano.

6. Madame Tussaud By Michelle Moran

For the History Lover, who wants a historical fiction book that isn't too boring.

7. The Blue Bloods Series By Melissa De La Cruz

A Vampire book that isn't all twilighty.

8. Dearly, Departed By Lia Habel

A Zombie book for girls!

That is all I can think of .. but then there is..

The Harry Potter Series By JK Rowling

- Because It is HARRY FREAKING POTTER, I want the whole world to read these books
-Lets just agree, that this book applies to basically every Top Ten Tuesday, therefore I no longer count it in the list, It is a given.

Dearly, Departed

Summary:

"Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love."

Plot: The plot is a pretty cool and semi complex, but it comes together well, and explains any flaws that some people may find. I love the whole concept of a post war revenged world rebuilding themselves but taking on the old Victorian Policies. Then mix the zombies and you get AWESOME!
Characters: They are slightly one-dimensional, but still awesome characters who I LOVED. I mean I never thought I could grow feelings for Zombies, but Lia Habel made that possible.
Pros: Funny, Different,Romantic, Hard to put down,
Cons: Cheesy at times, last steam towards the end.
Final Thoughts:  AWESOME,AWESOME,AWESOME! Honestly, one of my favorite books of 2011! It is a Zombie book made for girls! After, listening to Brandon go on and on about Zombies, watching every related movie,show and video game with him. I was happy to have a more girly related version. Unfortunately, in his eyes it was unrealistic. Cause He is the expert Zombie, since they exist and all.. ANYWAYS, I loved the book, I am in love with Bram, I wish I was a beautiful as Nora and as talented and Pamela. I was SO into the book until the last 100 pages where, in my opinion it lost steam ( but was setting up for Book 2) The only other downside, is I felt some characters (in this book, maybe not 2) were kind of unimportant. Besides that I am in love with this book.

Becoming Marie Antoinette

Summary:

"This enthralling confection of a novel, the first in a new trilogy, follows the transformation of a coddled Austrian archduchess into the reckless, powerful, beautiful queen Marie Antoinette. Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?
Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon.
Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everythingabout herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen.
Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike."

This was one of those books that just doesn't fit my normal review format. I am going to start of with why I choose this book. Which if anyone knows knows me and has read my blogs before, I LOVE history. And I have a mild obsession for Marie Antoinette. Which makes me want to read as many books on her, but leaves the problem that I have read and researched a lot on her and the Bourbons. So, it is hard to find books that tell the story in a new manner and makes it still intriguing to me. This book is just documents seven years of her life from 12 to 18. Her road to becoming married to Louis Auguste and her first 3 years at the French Court. I liked this, but at times I was bored, cause I am used to her whole life being condensed into one book, not dragged out into three. But I liked it cause I was learning minor details that weren't always known.  I liked the Grey wrote the characters well, but didn't try to shape them too much, that they turn into fictional characters and not historical figures.  If you are a history lover, then you will enjoy this book, but if you aren't really.. you can skip it.

Top Ten Tuesday : Childhood Favorites

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

I did a blog post that was similar to this about a year ago.. Here. 

Want Want Want Wednesday (27)

Princesses of Iowa By M.Molly Backes

"What does it mean to do wrong, when no one punishes you? A smart and unflinching look at friendship, the nature of entitlement, and growing up in the heartland.
Paige Sheridan has the perfect life. She's pretty, rich, and popular, and her spot on the homecoming court is practically guaranteed. But when a night of partying ends in an it-could-have-been-so-much worse crash , everything changes. Her best friends start ignoring her, her boyfriend grows cold and distant, and her once-adoring younger sister now views her with contempt. The only bright spot isher creative writing class, led by a charismatic new teacher who encourages students to be true to themselves. But who is Paige, if not the homecoming princess everyone expects her to be? In this arresting and witty debut, a girl who was once high-school royalty must face a truth that money and status can't fix, and choose between living the privileged life of a princess, or owning up to her mistakes and giving up everything she once held dear."

Ok, to be honest... I don't even care what this book is about. It is called Princesses of Iowa... IOWA! I love love love Iowa! My Grand Parents on my Dad's side grew up on in a small town there and my fiance's Grandparents on his Mom's side grew up there, as well. Both towns were SO small that they never heard of each others towns even though they were an hour drive away from each other..Point is anything involving Iowa is a must have in my book.

The Future of Us  By Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

"It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.
Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.
Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.
Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out."

Although, I enjoyed Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why, I wasn't sold on this book at 1st. Yes, they concept sounds intriguing but Idk... it just didn't grab me. However! Due to awesome reviews, I gave decided to give this book a chance.

Harry Potter a l'Ecole Des Sociers (Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone) By JK Rowling

You guys should already know the plot of this book, anyways.. I have read the series and this book several times in English.. but, now I want the French version.. Why? You Ask.. Well I took French back in High School and I want to learn the language better. I have that reading a book you already know well in your language (English) and reading it in the language you want to learn ( French) helps you. I am not too worried either because my reading and writing comprehension of French is WAY stronger then my verbal and listening.

Top Ten Tuesday : Books on My TBR for Winter

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

1. Dearly Departed By Lia Habel

2. Misguided Angel By Melissa De La Cruz

3. Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover By Ally Carter

4. The Summer We Read Gatsby By Danielle Ganek

5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

6. Someday My Prince Will Come: True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess By Jerramy Fine

7. Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens By Kate Emerson

8. Brava, Valentine By Adriana Trigiani

9. The Lucky One By Nicholas Sparks

10. The Postmistress By Sarah Blake

Sweet Little Lies (Book 2 L.A.Candy)

Summary:

"How Sweet it is?Jane Roberts was the average girl next door until she and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, landed their own reality show, L.A. Candy. Now the girls have an all-access pass to Hollywood's hottest everything. But there's more to life on camera than just parties and shopping. . . .When racy photos of Jane are leaked to the press, she finds herself at the center of a tabloid scandal. She turns to her co-star Madison Parker for help, unaware that Madison is scheming behind the scenes. She might be Jane's shoulder to cry on, but does Madison really have Jane's back?Scarlett's working on a scandal of her own. She's fallen for someone who's strictly off-limits—which means Scarlett has a big secret to keep . . . from the L.A. Candy cameras, the paparazzi staking out her apartment, even from her best friend.Of course, nothing stays secret for long for the stars of the newest hit TV series, and all this drama couldn't be better for ratings. But can Jane survive another season in the spotlight?"

Plot: It is a bubblegum plot. Meaning it it cute,girly,cheeky but nothing mindblowing. The plot begins where book 1 left off and dives write into the story. There isn't really any major major drama in this book and read almost like you were watching an episode of a reality TV show.

Characters: The characters each have their distinctive personalities and seem to be more of a jumble of characteristics from The Hills stars, as opposed to being based on each specific person. 

Pros: Mindless Chick Lit, Cute, fun, guilty pleasure..

Cons: There is nothing I disliked about this book, but that doesn't mean it was SO good, there couldn't be anything wrong with it.

Final Thoughts: I enjoyed reading Sweet Little Lies. I read it while I was up North helping my Mom move, we were only there for 2 nights so I read the book in less then 24 hours. It was quick, it was interesting enough, and Although I know the book isn't purely based on The Hills, I will still look for connections. It is a series I enjoy reading, but I am not going out of my way to finish. 

The Surgeon

Summary:

"In her most masterful novel of medical suspense, New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen creates a villain of unforgettable evil--and the one woman who can catch him before he kills again.
He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, unaware of the horrors they soon will endure. The precision of the killer's methods suggests he is a deranged man of medicine, propelling the Boston newspapers and the frightened public to name him "The Surgeon."
The cops' only clue rests with another surgeon, the victim of a nearly identical crime. Two years ago, Dr. Catherine Cordell fought back and killed her attacker before he could complete his assault. Now she hides her fears of intimacy behind a cool and elegant exterior and a well-earned reputation as a top trauma surgeon. 
Cordell's careful facade is about to crack as this new killer recreates, with chilling accuracy, the details of Cordell's own ordeal. With every new murder he seems to be taunting her, cutting ever closer, from her hospital to her home. Her only comfort comes from Thomas Moore, the detective assigned to the case. But even Moore cannot protect Cordell from a brilliant hunter who somehow understands--and savors--the secret fears of every woman he kills.
Filled with the authentic detail that is the trademark of this doctor turned author . . . and peopled with rich and complex characters--from the ER to the squad room to the city morgue--here is a thriller of unprecedented depth and suspense. Exposing the shocking link between those who kill and cure, punish and protect, The Surgeon is Tess Gerritsen's most exciting accomplishment yet."

Plot: The plot is a pretty typical crime novel, there is a serial killer and you have to find them and catch them. The difference between these and others though it this one is written so well and made easy to follow. (at least  for someone like me)
Characters: The main characters are Detectives Thomas Moore and Jane Rizzoli, Dr. Catherine Cordell and of course our unsub The Surgeon. For being a main character I would say Moore is actually a pretty under written main character. I mean you know who he is and you understand it, but there isn't a lot more to him. Rizzoli's character actually kind of annoys me in this book. Again, it is hard to transition from knowing the TV character and then the book character. Although, played very similar to each others characters book Rizzoli seems more bitter and angry then TV Rizzoli who comes of as tough and edgy.
Pros: easy to follow, captivating read, would definitely continue with the series.
Cons: I found the romance between two of the characters to be uncomfortable and a few relationships to be useless to the story line
Final Thoughts: I am a big fan of the Rizzoli and Isle's TV Series, so when I discovered it was based on a book series I jumped at my chance to read them. Although, this is not a Rizzoli and Isles book it has Detective Jane Rizzoli and it builds up her character for the series. The TV series has a lot to do with this book, since the 1st episode of the series begins where this book ends. Also, the book is seen in this season's finale, since it has a lot to do with the series. And although I have seen some differences already between the TV and Book. I have over all enjoyed it. I really liked to book and it was one of the first Crime Fictions that really got down on my level. It is definitely a good book to read for a YA reader who wants to read a Crime Fiction novel, but can't find a great transitional series. This book is adult, while still appealing to a younger group.

It is Thanksgiving!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I was originally going to write a whole giants blog post, but that wasn't turning out right and then I was going to do a Vlog (which I LOVE doing) but I am being too lazy. So I am going to settle for a for simple post.

Happy Thanksgiving to You,Your Family and Your Friends.  I am Thankful for many things this year, Such as My Family, Friends and Future In Laws. BUT I am also Thankful for My Blog and The Blogging Community, as well as YOU my followers and commenters. Thank You for Making my blog, fun and possible. = )