You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

This is an orange book, Debra, but I'm not sure if it is the right book to read in one sitting. And it is Asia, not North America.

This is Europe, so I don't know if you are interested. But it is a good book. It looks orangish to me. There is a yellow edition, too.

Judy, (or any moderator), would this book count as yellow? Just checking before I read it for the rainbow challenge.

Chris Cleave

Connie wrote: "Are you a librarian? That is so neat that you get to listen to books at work! I am so visual that I have never gotten into audio books, I do wish they worked like print for me since it would be suc..."

No, I key numeric data, menial job, but it's sort of second shift, which I love, and getting to listen to books is a great perk!

I LOVE audio books. A good narrator can transport you into the book, your mind is free to create mental images, and you become part of the story.

Debra wrote: "You know, I should keep track this time. I usually read 3 books and it's likely they add up to more than 900 pages. We'll see.

As far as toppler goes, I can't think of a 900 page book I want to ..."

What about ? It's 800 pages.

jaxnsmom wrote: "Connie wrote: "Are you a librarian? That is so neat that you get to listen to books at work! I am so visual that I have never gotten into audio books, I do wish they worked like print for me since ..."

I am going to have to try another audio book. I have not tried one since The Secret of the YaYa Sisterhood. It was ok for me, but I ended up buying the book and reading it myself. I am REALLY not an auditory learner. I would like train myself to listen so that I could rest my eyes more. Maybe the audio recordings are better now. That is such a perk that you get to listen at work!

jaxnsmom wrote: "Debra wrote: "You know, I should keep track this time. I usually read 3 books and it's likely they add up to more than 900 pages. We'll see.

As far as toppler goes, I can't think of a 900 page b..."

I think with all of us working together we will surely find something for Debra. ; )

Connie wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Debra wrote: "You know, I should keep track this time. I usually read 3 books and it's likely they add up to more than 900 pages. We'll see.

As far as toppler goes, I can't thin..."

Although we should probably find out what team she's on before we help get her on the podium :p

jaxnsmom wrote: "Connie wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Debra wrote: "You know, I should keep track this time. I usually read 3 books and it's likely they add up to more than 900 pages. We'll see.

As far as toppler goe..."

Yup! That would probably be good thinking. ; )

Mwah-ha-ha....I'm evil like that!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I'm considering a couple of them. Just can't decide...

I failed to note that 900 page books, to go for the gold medal, must be published on or before 1948. Don't think I can find something I'd like to read that meets that criteria. Darn!

Judy wrote: "Connie wrote: "Judy, (or any moderator), would this book count as yellow? Just checking before I read it for the rainbow challenge.

Chris Cleave"

It says "yellow" to me, but to b..."

Thanks, Judy! Will do.

I found and it's orange, published well before 1948, and 1040 pages. Think I'll be on the North American team with that choice.

GO FOR THE GOLD!

Doubt floods in... yeah, but, can I read that all in one night? Just ordered the book from the library. Will see how it looks when I have it in hand.

Fourth Rainbow Completed: 50 points

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/4

They Came To Baghdad Agatha Christie

30 points for fourth task completed
2 points for 192 pages

82 points for task
1395 points to date

Don't forget your points for number of pages, Connie.

You are doing so well... I'll never catch up to you, unless you slow down and I speed up. You go gurl!

Debra, I am so very glad that you found a great book for the toppler! It sounds awesome! I love Poe! Go for the GOLD!! ; ) Pirate Johnny would be proud of you!

Orange: Read in August 8/5

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel Maureen Lindley

30 points for fifth book completed in task
3 points for 304 pages

33 points for task
1428 points to date

Green: Green cover: nonfiction

Green for Life Victoria Boutenko

30 points for fifth book completed in task
2 points for 224 pages
5 points for green in title and green cover

37 points for task
1465 points to date

Hey, Connie. I read Green for Life, too. Are you tempted to try green smoothies now? Almeta and I have tried a few and they weren't too bad. Need a decent blender tho.

There are recipes in the book in msg 132, and I also have a book of smoothie recipes that I really like Smoothies for Weight Loss - Low Carb, Low Fat, Protein, and more by Sarah Smith although I really don't use it for weight loss but for health. However, I do find that a smoothie fills me up, and I often have one for breakfast or lunch or an afternoon snack.

With green smoothies you have to experiment until you find the flavors you like. Do you like apples, pineapples, mangoes, grapes, strawberries, etc. because fruit is used to flavor the greens. I can send you a few recipes if you tell me some fruits you like. I like the ones without the greens better (from the second book). Sometimes I drink the green ones with spinach and mangoes or spinach and strawberries and apples. They are pretty good. Sometimes I put a little honey in mine, too.

Like Debra says you must have a really good blender.

I have found some really good smoothie recipes on pinterest. If either of you has an account with pinterest, I will send you those recipes. I can send you some of the other recipes when you tell me what you like most.

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/6

The Giver Lois Lowry

30 points for sixth book completed in task
2 points for 180 pages

32 points for task
1497 points to date

Judy, I'll look up some recipes and copy them for you as soon as possible.

Orange:Orange cover:August read 8/7

The Sugar Queen Sarah Addison Allen

30 points for seventh book completed in task
2 points for 276 pages
5 points author's last name begins with A

37 points for task
1534 points to date

Red:Red cover

Live Flesh Ruth Rendell

30 points for fifth book completed in task
2 points for every R in author's name
3 points for 352 pages

35 points for task
1569 points to date

Orange:Orange cover: August read 8/7

The Black Camel Earl Derr Biggers

30 points for eighth book completed in task
3 points for 337 pages

33 points for task
1602 points to date

Could you slow down so the rest of us could feel like we could catch up if we had an extra year to read? Pleeeeze ☺

Yowsers! It's going to take me a while to get caught up.

I am going to have to slow down because school started here today, and a Japanese high school student I tutor has already contacted me about resuming our tutoring sessions because she has homework the first night of school. Tutoring Japanese students does require a lot of preparation, etc., but I love it. So I am back in the school grind...

I would like to read a few orange books though. ; ) I love this rainbow challenge! But I have to go back and write a few reviews.

Connie wrote: "I would like to read a few orange books though. ; ) I love this rainbow challenge! But I have to go back and write a few reviews ..."

I promised myself that this year I would write some sort of review for each book I read. Instead, I've been neglecting my reviews in order to read more, also.

Judy wrote: "Connie wrote: "I am going to have to slow down because school started here today, and a Japanese high school student I tutor has already contacted me about resuming our tutoring sessions because sh..."

I am sure she would love it, but she is driven to make all A's in all her classes, which are all AP classes. So she is required to read Shakespeare, the Odyssey, etc., and write more papers than you can believe. She has been in the USA off and on since she was 11 years old, so she is very fluent in English; however, Shakespeare is difficult for her. Of course, Shakespeare is difficult for many American students. But she always makes A's. She is also an athlete and has practice everyday. Between practice and studying and time with friends, she is a very busy little girl!

Almeta wrote: "Connie wrote: "I would like to read a few orange books though. ; ) I love this rainbow challenge! But I have to go back and write a few reviews ..."

I promised myself that this year I would write ..."

I am doing the same thing, Almeta. I am going to have to sit down and write a whole list of reviews one day. Oh well. Someday.

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/8

Whiskey Sour J.A. Konrath

30 points for ninth book completed in task
2 points for 292 pages

32 points for task
1634 points to date

Connie wrote: "Judy wrote: "Connie wrote: "I am going to have to slow down because school started here today, and a Japanese high school student I tutor has already contacted me about resuming our tutoring sessio..."

Your student has a very full schedule! How old is she?

She is 15 and in the 10th grade. We have been working together for a long time.She is a dream student. I'll probably have more students as the year progresses, but she always comes first. Her family is here with Toyoto.

Blue: Blue cover: physical book

Mission Flats: A Novel William Landay

30 points for sixth book completed in task
4 points for 400 pages
5 points for betrayal theme

39 points for task
1673 points to date

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/9

The Keeper of Lost Causes Jussi Adler-Olsen

30 points for tenth book completed in task
5 points for author's last name beginning with A
3 points for 395 pages

38 points
1711 points to date

Is ANYONE giving Connie a run for her money? I think she can be declared winner right now. I had hoped I could catch up with her, but she keeps cranking them out faster than the speed of sound!

Go Connie!

Debra, you are right behind me girl! Breathing down my neck!!

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/9

Bad Intentions Karin Fossum

30 points for eleventh book completed in task
2 points for 224 pages

32 points for task
1743 points to date

Connie wrote: "Debra, you are right behind me girl! Breathing down my neck!!"

We are 600 points apart, hon. Not exactly breathing down your neck! lol

Aaaaaawwww! You can make that up in a day! ; )

There are some challengers who are racing themselves into a whole new category. LOL!

Haha! A day! Geeesh!

Connie is definitely in a whole new category, Janice!

Connie wrote: "There are recipes in the book in msg 132, and I also have a book of smoothie recipes that I really like Smoothies for Weight Loss - Low Carb, Low Fat, Protein, and more by Sarah Smith although I..."

For Judy:

Blueberry Coconut Smoothie
1 C Frozen Blueberries
2 Tbsp. shredded Coconut
1 cup coconut milk
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Spinach Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup packed baby spinach
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup Coconut Bliss Naked Coconut frozen dessert
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Soy Smoothie
1 cup vanilla soy milk
5 ounces silken tofu, firm, chilled and cubed
2 cups frozen or fresh strawberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Banana Berry Smoothie
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1/2 small, peeled ripe banana
1/4 cup stemmed, sliced strawberries
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla soy protein powder
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Mango Vanilla Smoothie
1 cup frozen mango cubes
1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt (I use Fage)
1/2 cup coconut milk or 1/2 cup cold water
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Mango Green Smoothie
1 1/2 cups orange juice
2 large mangoes
2 cups fresh parsley or spinach
2 cups of ice
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

Banana Green Smoothie
2 bananas
1 Gala apple
1 pear
1 cup of kale
1/2 cup water
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 2-3.

Green Tropics Smoothie
2 cups spinach
1 mango
1 banana
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup water
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 2

Blueberry Smoothie
1 cup skim or lowfat (1%) milk
1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 banana, ripe
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 4

Yogurt Fruit Smoothie
1 cup fat free yogurt
1 banana cut up
4-5 strawberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1/4 cup skim milk
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Fruit Cream Smoothie
1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
1 banana--frozen
1/2 cup raspberries, frozen
1/2 cup strawberries, frozen
1 tablespoon maple syrup
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. serve immediately.

simple Blueberry Smoothie
1 cup frozen blueberries
8 ounces fat free yogurt
milk to thin
In a blender, combine all ingredients. cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Banana Smoothie
3 cups skim milk
2 large banana cut into cubes
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately.

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/10

Magnificent Mind at Any Age: Natural Ways to Unleash Your Brain's Maximum Potential Daniel G. Amen

30 points for twelfth book completed in task
3 points for 304 pages
5 points author's last name begins with A

38 points for task
1781 points to date

Orange: Orange cover: August read 8/10

The Probable Future Alice Hoffman

30 points for thirteenth book completed in task
3 points for 322 pages

33 points for task
1814 points to date

Can anyone recommend a good blender that will blend green smoothies? I know Vitamix is a good one, but it's WAY too expensive.

Debra, I have a Cuisinart, and I love it. It comes apart to clean and makes everything I need easily. I would buy another Cuisinart tomorrow if something happened to this one. It wasn't too expensive either. I want to say somewhere around $100, but that has been several years ago.

Judy, you are very welcome. I hope at least one works for you.

Have either of you tried Naked 100% juice smoothies? Naked is the brand name. I get them at the supermarket (Kroger) in the refrigerated aisle of the produce section. Mighty Mango is my favorite, but there are several flavors. I have one for breakfast often, and my son loves them. They have no sugar--just 100% juice, one or part of one (8 ounces) will fill you up. I highly recommend them!

The recipes and Naked smoothies sound yummy. Thanks for the recipes and the tips!

Glad to help.

Thirsty! Those smoothie recipes look yummie!