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April Book Club

April 5, 2012 by Julie 65 Comments

Good morning!

Yesterday’s less intense workout apparently left me feeling rejuvenated because today’s workout was sweaty, intense and awesome!

I began my time at the gym with 20 minutes of steady state cardio on the elliptical before completing the circuit workout on the agenda for today through the Best Body Boot Camp program I’m following.

It was definitely challenging, but in a good way. I find it so much easier to push myself during circuit workouts because I know I’ll be done with a certain exercise in no time at all since the bursts are often quite short. It’s easier to pound out a ton of mountain climbers or burpees if you know you only have to do them for 40 seconds!

Breakfast

Breakfast was another waffle extravaganza!

waffles with pear and ricotta 007

Perhaps the word “extravaganza” is a little excessive, but I adore this combination!

waffles with pear and ricotta 014

I topped two toasted Van’s multigrain waffles with a mixture of ricotta cheese and cottage cheese, a sliced pear and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

waffles with pear and ricotta 010

Don’t forget the spice! It adds so much!

April Book Club

Time to select the book for April’s Book Club!

As always, the following books were taken from your recommendations on the PBF Facebook page.

Please vote on the book you would most like to read below. On Thursday, April 26 I’ll post my review of the book along with discussion questions for us to talk about in the comments section of the post.

Also, if you post a review of the selected book on your blog before April 26, please email me at pbfingers@gmail.com and let me know so I can be sure to include your review in the link up of book reviews that will be included in that post as well.

The contenders for the month of April include…

  • The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

thirteenth tale

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long.

Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author’s tale of gothic strangeness — featuring the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess,a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.

  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

guresey

January 1946: Writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

book thief

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

***

Please vote for the book you would most like to read. The winning book will be announced tomorrow!

[polldaddy poll=6111051]

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Books, Breakfast Tagged With: books, breakfast, Van's, waffles

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Khushboo Thadani says

    April 5, 2012 at 8:49 am

    I completely agree about circuit workouts! The same goes for HIIT sessions…that one minute or so at a ‘near death’ speed is only bearable because I know it’ll be over soon enough (and repeated soon enough but that’s okay as long as i get a breather)!

    Reply
  2. Jess C says

    April 5, 2012 at 8:57 am

    The Book Thief because I have it there waiting to be read already! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Alex says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:01 am

    All such good choices! My book group have done all three and they all scored really well.

    Thirteenth tale is great but creepy in places. Don’t read it on your own if you don’t want nightmares!

    The Guernsey one is the lightest and made us all want to visit the island.

    The book theif is great but traumatic. Similar stress levels to a thousand splendid suns. Prepare for tears if you pick that one.

    Just my humble opinion though!

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      April 5, 2012 at 9:03 am

      awesome! thanks for sharing your thoughts. i voted for the book thief. i loved sarah’s key and the kite runner (written by the same author as a thousand splendid suns) and really loved both. and if i read it, i’ll be sure to grab a kleenex!

      Reply
      • Alex says

        April 5, 2012 at 9:15 am

        Sarah’s key. Not done that one. Onto Amazon then…

        Reply
        • peanutbutterfingers says

          April 5, 2012 at 9:21 am

          oh my gosh, i loved that book. if you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you will LOVE it.

          Reply
  4. Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:03 am

    The Guernsey Literary and potato peel society is such an amazing book as is The book theif, you will fly through that book for sure!

    Reply
  5. Deanna says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I’ve read The 13th Tale & The Book Thief. Both are now favorites of mine for very different reasons. Both would be winners to me!

    Reply
  6. This Fit Chick says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Props to you for making it to the gym! I’m in the US right nw and am about to go, but procrastinating a bit!

    Reply
  7. Courtney says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:10 am

    The 13th Tale is so good, I think you’ll really like it! It sounds like you have 3 awesome books this month so it really doesn’t matter which wins!

    Reply
  8. Cait @ Beyond Bananas says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:11 am

    I love circuits because time flies by so quickly! You are changing up your exercises so often .. and any given exercise (liked or disliked) goes by fast!!

    Reply
  9. Racheal @ Running with Racheal says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:13 am

    Excited to see which book wins!

    Reply
  10. Coco says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I voted for The Thirteenth Tale because I already read the other two (The Book Thief was INCREDIBLE), and a friend at work JUST lent me The Thirteenth Tale…so it would be perfect!

    Reply
  11. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I agree on the circuits too! Lately I’ve been preferring them so much more than any other sort of in-the-gym workouts. I still want to get outside and run more, but when the weather is chilly (and it has certainly been this way lately!) I’m all about the circuits indoors.

    Reply
  12. Agnes says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:20 am

    Good choices!…wanted to say that I looove reading your blog. It’s my morning ritual 🙂 Fresh cup of coffee, today show and blogs! I tried your waffle extravaganza the other day and turned out sooo yummy. Trying to get the hubby to start eating it. It’s so healthy for you 🙂

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      April 5, 2012 at 9:22 am

      thank you for such a nice comment, agnes! i love starting my day with coffee and blogs, too. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Katie says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:20 am

    I actually JUST finished Guernsey on the suggestion of my Aunt and I adored it! So many great lines & I just loved the premise of it. I hope you end up reading that one! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Amanda @ fitcookiemonster says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:24 am

    Trainer tip! Try to swap your pre circuit cardio stint for an active dynamic warmup (jumping jacks, bodyweight squats, glute bridges, etc.) and finish your workout with cardio instead. So happy to hear your active rest day helped!

    Reply
  15. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I haven’t heard of any of these books! This will be an interesting month, I like getting out of my “box” with books!

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth @ Southern Color says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:26 am

    The Thirteenth Tale is terrific! I am just finishing it up for my April book club. It’s different from what we normally read, but I’ve found it to be really interesting.

    Reply
  17. Angela says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:27 am

    I read the book theif a few months ago. If thats what gets picks you will LOVE IT!

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth @ Chocolate Drops and Pearls says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Hard choice they all look good!

    Reply
  19. Anne @strawberryjampackedlife says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:36 am

    I loved the 13th Tale! I’d recommend it to anyone.

    Reply
  20. Helen says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:47 am

    I’ve read both the Thirteenth Tale and The Book Theif – both are excellent! If neither of those are picked, I highly recommend them both anyway.

    Reply
  21. Jackie W. says

    April 5, 2012 at 9:57 am

    The Thirteenth Tale is really good.

    Reply
  22. Mallory says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:14 am

    ahhhh you HAVE to read the book thief. one of my top 10. i criiiiiiied all the way through it, but it is so so so good!

    Reply
  23. Meg says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:16 am

    All of these choices look really good! I would like to read the book thief, I just started Wither per your recommendation. I’m already totally getting sucked in!

    Reply
  24. Megan S. says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:23 am

    The Thirteenth Tale is absolutely amazing, I read it over the summer. I highly recommend it even if it isn’t chosen for this months read!!!

    Reply
  25. Claire @ livingspreethegoodlife.wordpress.com says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I’ve already read The Book Thief but I vote for that because it is beautifully written and has a story everyone should read!!

    Reply
  26. Caitlin says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:26 am

    BTW I made your rice krispie treats last night (delish!) and these yummy little cookies- wanted to share the recipe with you – Peanut Butter and m&m cookies!

    http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/03/27/peanut-butter-mm-cookies/

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      April 5, 2012 at 11:07 am

      YUM!!! thanks so much for sharing, caitlin!

      Reply
  27. Rachelle says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I voted for the Potato book, I’ve already read the Book Thief and it is really good!

    Reply
  28. Liza says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:57 am

    I just read online that Kate Winslet has signed on to be in “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” movie!

    Reply
  29. cheryl says

    April 5, 2012 at 10:58 am

    i’ve read all three (and reviewed on my blog and goodreads). book thief is amazing and def a favorite and thirteenth tale isn’ far behind. not such a fan of guernsey though…

    Reply
    • cheryl says

      April 5, 2012 at 11:03 am

      if people are curious:
      book thief — http://clg1213.blogspot.com/2010/10/bonus-book-reviewthe-book-thief.html
      guernsey (only posted on goodreads) — http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/132714888
      thirteenth tale — (apparently only did stars, not a review) http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42454894

      Reply
  30. Katie @ Soulshine and Sassafras says

    April 5, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Just came across your blog via Apples and Optimism, and I love it! Also, I have to tell you that I just read your whole wedding series and CRIED MY EYES OUT the entire time. You’e a beautiful writer!

    Reply
  31. Molly from LifesLemonsbyMolly says

    April 5, 2012 at 11:46 am

    It may be a good thing that we don’t have a toaster…if we did I would constantly buy waffles. Your breakfast always looks super good

    Reply
  32. beth says

    April 5, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Guernsey is an awesome book! So sad that one of the authors died so that there will be no more like it….

    Reply
  33. Jasper @ crunchylittlebites says

    April 5, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    I might ALWAYS be blown away by how speedy of a reader you are!

    Reply
  34. Robyn says

    April 5, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    The Book Thief!! I admit…I’ve read it, but I’d love to have an excuse to read it again! It is absolutely exquisite writing and story-telling, one of the best books I’ve read in years.

    Reply
  35. Mel says

    April 5, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    I voted for 13th Tale because the description sounded interesting. But the Book Thief is my FAVORITE. book. ever. I hope you & the rest of the PBF book clan get a chance to read it because it is a beautiful novel.

    Reply
  36. Gillian says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    the book thief is AWESOME. definitely read it! 13th tale sounds great.. i might pick that one up..

    Reply
  37. Katie says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    The book thief is absolutely fantastic, definitely a tear jerker but it just touches the heart..loved it!

    Reply
  38. Amanda - Small Home Big Start says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Great choices! I read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” a few years ago and LOVED it. Passed it around to all my girlfriends.

    Reply
  39. Diana says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I’m not even going to vote because these all seem amazing! I’m so psyched to read whichever book is picked!

    Reply
  40. Meg says

    April 5, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is SO good! It totally draws you in. I wasn’t very excited to read it, but my mom talked me into eventually and I ended up loving it.

    Reply
  41. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says

    April 5, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Ohh the Book Thief sounds great! I read the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for my book club and truly thought it was so boring I could barely get through it! But I know lots of people like it!

    Reply
  42. Laura says

    April 5, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I read the 13th Tale and it is amazing so that is totally my vote so I will re-read it again.

    Reply
  43. Christa says

    April 5, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I didn’t vote for The Book Thief because I’ve read the Potato Peal Pie Society and it’s a must read! BUT I saw that TBT was winning in the polls so I got a copy from the library! So excited! P.s- Circuit workouts are the best. Anyone can endure anything for 30-40 seconds!

    Reply
  44. colleenzo says

    April 5, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    The Book Thief is magical and will rip your heart out!

    Reply
  45. Erin says

    April 5, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    The book thief is one of my all time favorite books!! I so hope you read that because I want everyone to read it!!

    Reply
  46. Michelle says

    April 5, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    The Book Thief and The Thirteenth Tale are two of the best books that I have read in the last 6 years or so. They are in my top 10 favourite books ever! Both are exceptionally written and had my attention from the start.

    Reply
  47. Molly G. says

    April 5, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    The 13th Tale is in my top 5 favorite books ever. It looks like The Book Thief is winning in the poles, but I highly recommend reading The 13th Tale even if it doesn’t end up being this month’s pick!

    It was so good, that I took it with me while I was driving so that I could spend my spare minutes at the red-light reading it… Yes, I am a bit of a nerd.

    Reply
  48. Julie says

    April 5, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    LOVE the Book thief!!! It’s one of my favorite books!

    Reply
  49. Hillary says

    April 5, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    The Book Thief is probably one of the best works of fiction I’ve ever read—and I’m an English teacher!

    Reply
  50. Morgan says

    April 5, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I read The Book Thief over the summer and I can confidently state that it’s one of the best fiction pieces I’ve ever read.

    The author is a beautiful writer, and he gives the story a decadent spin with the structure of the text. Oh, and the fact that the story is told by Death himself makes it that much better.

    Please read it. I’m begging you. It’ll change your perspective on a lot of things, including the art of living.

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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