The Fault in My Reading

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that the rest of the world loved but you found really wasn't your cup of tea? That's exactly how I felt last weekend when I finished The Fault in our Stars. The book received great reviews, has been listed on multiple teen reading lists and is beloved by teens and adults alike yet I struggled to even make myself finish the book after one day of reading. Thank goodness it was a quick read and by the next day I was done.

Perhaps it was a wonderful book. I'm just one reader among millions. I'll be the first to admit that I normally don't like bestsellers. That's probably why... This book just became way too popular for me. I tried unsuccessfully to read the Harry Potter series three times. Yes, I am the only librarian who doesn't like Harry Potter. I even come from a family of crazy Harry Potter fans. I've tried twice to read the Shades of Grey series. It was so poorly written I couldn't even make it through the first book. At least Harry was well written. Didn't someone read Shades before it was published?

I don't even know the popular TV shows because I have my head in what some would categorize as an unpopular boring book. 

Well, enough of my rant. Back to The Fault in our Stars. For some reason, I found myself thinking I had read or watched this storyline before. To my knowledge there have been similar books and movies but nothing to this plot line. It was reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks A Walk to Remember, which I also hated although I will admit I was a slight Sparks fan in high school until I realized the books were all the same. It also seemed a little to Lifetime TV for me. I'm surprised they didn't grab the manuscript first for the movie! It's right up their ally!

Some props to John Green because he is a great writer and he does engage the teens. I'm sorry but this former teen librarian was just not impressed. Hey, we all can dislike books. I was disappointed when my book club hated  Maine, which is one of my favorites. We all have different tastes and I guess teen romance mixed with adolescent cancer isn't mine. Don't get me wrong. If I didn't like it, you probably will. So, my friends, give it a try. It is a bestseller after all but do me a favor, don't buy it. Go to the library!

Summer is Here! Finally!

This year more than ever, summer is needed! After a long winter and cold spring, I'm ready for hot weather, reading on the deck, swimming and trips to Lakeside. There's a lot I want to do this summer.

2014 sUmMeR bUcKeT LiSt!!!

*  Have a CAMPFIRE.  *  Go on a HIKE.  *  Have a PICNIC in the PARK.  *  Got to at least 10 different PARKS.  *  Go to an OUTDOOR CONCERT.  *  Go to the ZOO.  *  Play DISC GOLF.  *  TIE DYE.  *  Go to a DRIVE-IN MOVIE.  *  Hang out with all of my FRIENDS. *  Spend all day at a BEACH.  *  Go FISHING.  *  Make POPSICLES.  *  Go ot a FARMER'S MARKET.  *  Go to FLEA MARKET.  *  Ride BIKES. *  BBQ with friends.  *  Play TENNIS.  *  Have a summer CRAFT NIGHT.  *  Play MINI GOLF.  *  Go to a DRIVING RANGE.  *  Go to an AMUSEMENT PARK.  *  Take a ROAD TRIP.  *  Meet NEW friends.  *  Make ICE CREAM.  *  Go to a FAIR.  *  SHOP for honeymoon.  *  RELAX!!!

My Summer Reading List

Last week I made my summer reading list. Yes, I'm a nerd because I'm super excited about reading this summer! This year, I created my list by adding five books I own that I need to read, five that were on beach read recommendation lists and then five from my to-read list accumulated from Barnes and Noble trips.

Here's my list for the summer...

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Island - Elin Hilderbrand

The Hurricane Sisters - Dorthea Benton Frank

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters - Elisabeth Robinson

Summerland - Elin Hilderbrand

Nantucket Sisters - Nancy Thayer

Dune Road - Jane Green

Palisades Park - Alan Brennert

Where'd You Go Bernadette - Maria Semple

Open House - Elizabeth Berg

When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead

The Starboard Sea - Amber Dermont

Summer We Read Gatsby - Danielle Ganek

The Matchmaker - Elin Hilderbrand

Beautiful Ruins - Jess Walter

So, what will you be reading pool side this summer? 

Happy Reading!

MaRcH, ApRiL and MAY book recomendations! - Part 1

Wow! I haven't posted a book review/recommendations post since February. It's almost halfway through March. It's not that I haven't read either! I've been on a reading binge. I'm always devouring books but the minute the weather gets nice there is nothing I enjoy more then sitting in the sun on the deck with a good book. In the last two months, I've read a little bit of everything...children's books, YA books, biographies, book club picks, old favorites. Here's a little taste. Maybe you'll find something that interests you. Go to the library, check it out and enjoy it out in this beautiful weather (well, maybe not today).

The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall

This book club pick is a page turner. Don't let the length and Russian theme deter you, its a great read. Read more here.

Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl

A must read for any royal watcher! Kate is such an interesting person and she her and William are adding a whole new light to the royal family. Read more here.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Interesting young adult read! Fans of Eleanor and Park will enjoy the latest by the same author. Read more here.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to post more about my other reads, so this is just going to be Part 1. More to follow this week!

Happy Reading!

Three Year Runner of Steel Veteran

On Sunday, I ran for the hills with all of my heart. This year's half marathon was much different then my previous two runs. It had its up and downs but ultimately I finished. It doesn't matter that I was slow. It doesn't matter that my time was worse than last year. I finished.

It wasn't bad considering that I was still weak and recovering from the stomach virus I had the weekend prior. My training wasn't a complete loss either considering I kept my pace throughout the entire race and I ran more of the mileage than previous years.

The last few days I have had a lot of time to think about the race and what I want to do next. On Sunday, I thought I was crazy and that it was just runner's high but I really wanted to run a marathon. The more I thought about the more I wanted to try.

My plan is to go out strong with a major time improvement in the next half marathon I run. I'm working with a better training plan and will build a better foundation for my running. If my time improves, I maintain my pace and I finish...I'm going to consider running a marathon. Probably not in Pittsburgh...I need flat.

Well, that's my thoughts. I'm proud of myself for finishing and eager for the next race. I'm giving my body time to recover before running again hard core. Until next time, this runner of steel is signing off.

Running for the Hills!

Friends, I need your help.

For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to run the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon. This year, I decided to run for a cause. My cause is the North Hills Community Outreach and I am determined to raise more than $300 for this organization.

My part of the equation is the hard part.

I will be joining a team of nearly 40 other runners with that same determination and goals. In a little more than a month, I will run 13.1 miles toward that goal as part of the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon. I will run the city of bridges with thousands of other runners but with a small team devoted to raising money for families in crisis, hardship and poverty.

I'm not just raising money. I'm raising hope for families in need.

In 2012-2013, North Hills Community Outreach served 1,386 families through food pantries and gardens. The organization provides 1,357 families with utility assistance. In addition, 388 families received free coats, 728 received Thanksgiving dinners and 1,547 children received Christmas gifts. The list goes on and on...emergency assistance; employment, education and financial assistance; and senior care giving among other services.

These services do not pay for themselves. The organization relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, families, churches, government agencies, foundations, schools and civic groups.

I will raise a minimum of $300 from my friends and family to run and help North Hills Community Outreach increase these statistics and help more families.

And I only have five weeks left to reach my goal!

Asking my friends and family to donate money to my run is as challenging to me as finding the time to train and run 13.1 miles. But a struggling to feed your family or paying the heat bill is much more difficult, and for that reason I keep asking. 

So I am asking for your help!  If you have not yet made a donation and still want to, it's not too late. Every dollar helps. $20 will purchase a backpack or school supplies for a child to start the school year. $50 will pay the heat bill so children do not have to live in a freezing home. $75 will pay for a month's worth of gas so that a mother or father can get to work and support their family. 

You can make a quick, easy donation on my personal fundraising page at http://www.crowdrise.com/teamnhcopittsburgh2014/fundraiser/carrienurnberger. Click on "Donate to this fundraiser." I am determined to run and make a difference, and I can't do that without your financial support. 

Thank you in advance for donating to my run. Thank you for supporting my quest to help families fight the cycle of poverty and become self reliant.

~ CaRrIe ~

Can you watch my phone?

Three weeks ago, I served jury duty for the first time. I had been called many times before but never had to actually go downtown. My initial and jaded thoughts when I first found out that I had jury duty were along the lines of excitement because I was going to have a Carrie Bradshaw experience. I would read all day and maybe the man next to me would pull out odd fruits from his brief case. Ok, I will admit that was a little far fetched but I was excited to fulfill my civic duty. Yes, I'm a nerd.

Never again though! It was terrible! It wasn't worth the measly $7 that I ended up donating anyways. It wasn't worth a day off work and not having to go to meetings. It wasn't worth spending an entire day reading my book and magazines.

Lunch was definitely worth it though. Everyone knows what happens at jury duty, so I won't go into detail about that but I doubt many people are granted the opportunity to witness what I did while at lunch.

Keep in mind during this story that I was possibly in line to be chosen for trial dealing with drug possession.

Not wanting to stray far from the courthouse, I chose to have lunch at the local Subway. While in line, these two men were causing quite a commotion at the register about free cookies or something. Finally getting my food, I met up with these same men at the drink machine. There they were debating why one got a cookie and the other a drink. Seriously? I found a table on the other side of the restaurant next to two ladies who worked upstair and what looked like an off-duty cop.

Not even five minutes after sitting down, one of the men came over. Let's call him Puck (I'm watcing Glee...ha ha). So, Puck proceeds to ask the off-duty cop if he can plug his cell phone at that table for the guy to watch because he is expecting a very important phone call. Then walks away. Comes back says the same thing. At this point, the off-duty cop tells Puck he can have the table because he's done. Ok, so at this point you would think that Puck would just sit down, charge his phone and wait for that very important phone call. 

Wrong!! Well, no, Puck did actually call someone and we heard her say hello but that was it. Somewhere in the five-minute conversation he lost her but kept talking AND rolling a joint under the table. The ladies at the next table were losing it and I was too. Then Puck finally realizes there is no one on the other line. Hangs up. Looks at me and asks me to watch his phone. I tell him I might be leaving soon but Puck said he would be quick. He goes outside smokes his joint and then comes back in and continues to smoke it at the table where he promptly passes out, joint in hand. I couldn't take it anymore. 

Puck finally wakes up and tells that side of the restaurant how much he enjoyed meeting us and hopes we have a wonderful day. Puck waves goodbye and walks out the door.

And I proceeded back to jury duty probably smelling like Puck. Highlight of my jury duty!!