Readers’ Workouts- 2/1

by Carol2 Comments
Here are my steps for the week. I have been really slacking lately. I need to get back on track. It's always tough to balance time spent exercising and time spent at home, especially since I've been working on math with Amber on most nights.   My current plan is to do a core workout on Monday, cardio on Tuesday (60 mins), upper body on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday (60 mins), total body workout on Friday and cardio on Saturday (60+ mins). Thursday - 34 mins on the elliptical Saturday - Arm/shoulder workout Sunday - Walk with the dog Monday - Walk with the dog I usually listen to a book while I'm walking, jogging, whatever. This week I finished Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris and "A" is for Asshat by Rebecca Cantrell and Sean Black. I'm not sure what's up next. 2016 miles: 36.05 out of 1000 (way behind schedule) How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...
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January Bookish Bingo

by Carol1 Comment
I haven't signed up for many challenges this year, but Julie and Lynn are hosting a Bookish Bingo at Chapter Break that sounds fun. The rules: Each month they'll upload a new bingo card. You download the bingo card and mark off squares as you read books each month. At the end of the month, they will post their bingo cards. Link up your post or post your own bingo card in the comments. The monthly winner will be the person with the most marked squares. None of that across, diagonal, up and down, corners stuff. Just the number of squares. Be sure to include the books you’ve read for each of the squares. Only books read during the current month count. You may use the same book to fill multiple squares. They’ll announce the winner the following month to allow everyone time to link up their posts. Here's my January card:   I didn't do too badly. 10 squares, but a couple might be a stretch. Dead body...
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Thursday’s Tale: Coloring Books

by Carol7 Comments
Coloring books for adults have become very popular. I know I have one and have been tempted by a couple others. I though it would be fun today to look at some of the Fairy Tale coloring books available. The cover photos are links to Amazon.com. Rapunzel. Hansel and Gretel. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. Snow White. We've known these characters since we were children, but in this elegant new coloring book, these characters are waiting to be brought back to vivid life, through coloring. Based off of the masterpieces of the Brothers Grimm, acclaimed British artist Adam Fisher has created a black and white wonderland just waiting to be filled in. Here are a couple examples. I think clicking on them will show you a larger version. The next one is cute, more portraits than scenes. The magic of fairy tales spans across cultures and across time. Come take a journey with us as we travel the alphabet to meet the characters that make...
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Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans by Gary Krist

by Carol5 Comments
Empire of Sin focuses on New Orleans, 1890-1920. It's a compelling look at the politics, crime, and culture of the city. The mayhem starts with the killing of Police Chief Hennessy. The acquittal of the killers ignited mob violence that just astounded me. Around the same time, the vice-district Storyville was established. This era saw the birth of jazz, music that made some of the upper class in the city nervous. Jim Crow laws were established in the city, which, until this time, had been relatively tolerant of integration. We see New Orleans during WW 1 and prohibition. A lot happened in those years and the book is filled with names I was familiar with, especially the first generations of jazzmen. I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but books like this make me wonder why not. The people in these pages are as fascinating, absurd, outrageous and inventive as any fictional characters. The things they do, from lynchings to shootouts to somehow keeping...
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Readers’ Workouts – 1/26

by Carol3 Comments
Here are my steps for the week. I don't know how I got so many yesterday. My current plan is to do a core workout on Monday, cardio on Tuesday (60 mins), upper body on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday (60 mins), total body workout on Friday and cardio on Saturday (60+ mins). Tuesday - 1 hr 42 mins on the elliptical Wednesday - 25 mins arms/shoulders Thursday - 27 mins "full body workout" from here And then Friday it started snowing and I started sneezing and I've been feeling pretty blah until today. I hate winter! I usually listen to a book while I'm walking, jogging, whatever. This week I'm listening to Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. 2016 miles: 31.25 out of 1000 How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...
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