I feel fortunate that headaches seem to come and go quickly for me, so I’m hoping this one is the same!
Breakfast this morning was warm and comforting. Perfect for a headachy girl!
I made a batch of my almond butter pancakes topped with a bit of maple syrup.
Nice and filling!
October Book Club
Now it’s time to select the book we’ll be reading for the October PBF Book Club! For those of you who may be new around here, the PBF Book Club is a virtual book club open to anyone!
On Monday, November 5, I’ll post my review of the book along with discussion questions for everyone to answer in the comments section of the post. If you are a blogger and post a review of the winning book on your blog, feel free to email me a link to your post at pbfingers@gmail.com (before November 5, please) and I’ll include your link in my post!
As always, I used the recommendations you guys posted on the PBF Facebook page to choose the following three books. Please vote for the book you would like to read from the novels listed below! I’ll announce the winning book on the blog tomorrow.
- The Mirrors at Barnard Hall by Jenny Hickman
The mirrors at Barnard Hall show reflections of the present… and visions of the past. Callista Franklyn’s return to her family’s mansion in the English countryside stirs up more than old memories of imaginary childhood friends. Callista finds the very real, and very handsome, Nick Dalton in the reflection of her antique mirror.
Historical records say Nick died in 1902, but Nick is convinced otherwise. Callista is intrigued by Nick’s claim that the year is 1902, so she investigates and uncovers a timeline of suspicious crimes and enchanted mirrors that link her to the twentieth century.
She also discovers that she’s falling for Nick, who is condemned to be murdered in August. As the date of Nick’s impending death approaches, Callista must decide if she is willing to risk changing history and erasing her place in the modern world in order to prevent the tragic crime and save the man she loves.
- 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker – his classmate and crush – who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I have a curse.
I have a gift.
I’m a monster.
I’m more than human.
My touch is lethal.
My touch is power.
I am their weapon.
I will fight back.
No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever.
I rarely get headaches, but when I do it’s usually because I’m dehydrated. And those always seem to be the WORST headaches. Chugging water and a couple of excedrin usually do the trick for me. So if those almond butter pancakes don’t work, you can give that a try
Elaine
These all sound like great choices, it was hard to choose!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie
They all look good, but I read 13 Reasons a couple years ago, so I’m thinking either of the other two would be great (although 13 is a really good book!)
Elisabeth
My vote was definitely in the minority!
Erica
I have had a headache the past few days, but I have blamed it on the changing weather up north! I have never heard of any of the book option, but 13 reasons why really intrigued me. Any book that can pull at your heart just by the summary is usually worth checking out!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life
i agree! it’s rare that i feel hooked simply by the summary! very intriguing.
peanutbutterfingers
I feel like my headaches can be related to weather changes – hope you kick it soon!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
All those books sound so good…I haven’t heard of the first one but I love anything time travelley. Tough choice but I think I would be happy to read any of them.
Dione
I’m a middle school teacher, and 13 Reasons Why has been VERY popular amongst our kids these past two years. A former student in our community committed suicide last year, and a lot of the kids have been reading books like this to cope with or understand the issue a little bit more. I haven’t read it myself yet, but I’d like to soon.
Hillary
I have read 13 Reasons Why, and it was a GREAT book. I think you will enjoy it.
mary
Everyone has been headachy in Texas too! Maybe the changing weather has brought in something you’re allergic too!
Ashlee
Wow, I think that was the hardest decision yet. I am looking forward to another great month!
I hope you headache goes away. Filling up my glass of water now…
Racheal @ Running with Racheal
I’ve read 13 Reasons Why before and it’s really good. You won’t be disappointed if that is the one chosen!
Chelsea
The return of book club! I missed it last month! Interesting book choices too!
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance
13 reasons why sounds so good!
Jeannie
Looking forward to book club again this month ! I missed it in September.
Jenica
13 Reasons Why got my vote, but the Mirrors at Barnard Hall was a close second. You should keep that one on the back burner. I hope to actually participate this month!
Beks
mirrors got a TON of recs on the facebook page! i’d love to read it.
peanutbutterfingers
you totally should!
it was a great book!
i bought and gave a couple of copies away for gifts!
lauren head
Just placed 13 reasons why on hold at the library!
Shana
I’ve been itching to start reading again, October may be the perfect month to join in on this book club action
Life’s a Bowl
Hope you’re feeling better!
Khushboo
ahh yay! I’m hoping to join this month since I have more time
Rachel
I’m in a reading slump and definitely ready to shake it! I’m glad book club is back.
Angela @ Health’s Angel
This book choice wasn’t easy. I’m not sure that any of the choices completely spark my interest but if I were going to give any of them a try it would be the first one.
BTW, hope your headache goes away and you feel better. I get really bad headaches too when I don’t drink enough.
Ashley @ The North Carolina Cowgirl
I’ve read Thirteen Reasons Why already, so I voted for a different book. I HIGHLY recommend reading Thirteen Reasons Why even if it isn’t picked though.. such a good book, and it’s being made into a movie in the not-so-distant future, I believe.
Taryn
I haven’t heard of any of these! Haha again, that’s why I love your book club!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Wow, all of those books sound so interesting and kind of “dark and eerie” at the same time! haha, maybe it’s just me. I don’t know why but I just don’t seem to read fiction anymore! I think I’m more of an informative book type of reader.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
Yayyy, so glad to see Shatter Me on the list! I feel like it’s not that well known yet, but I’m a total supporter for it haha. So even though it’s in third place right now, hopefully you can read it eventually!
Lauren
I read 13 Reasons Why in high school during a book exchange with friends. We passed around one copy of the book and each read and highlighted our favorite parts in a different color highlighter. The end result was so cool to look through, especially with a book that had so many fantastic parts.
The writing style is definitely geared towards a younger audience though. I remember thinking the vocabulary was a little basic even in my early years of high school, but the plot makes it worth it!
Vikki
I agree! I read 13 Reasons Why last year on a 2-hour flight to Florida. It’s definitely a good read and I enjoyed it, but the writing style is pretty simplistic and it doesn’t take very long to read. Not necessarily a bad thing, although that may be a turn-off for some.
Amanda
I’m a new blogger and I’m really excited to join in on your virtual book club! All of the books look great but 13 Reasons Why really sparked my interest.
Brittany
I wish I could participate, but with my amount of school work I can not fit in one more thing to read. Hopefully in the future
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
Drink peppermint tea–it can help your headache go away!
Can’t wait to hear which book is chosen!
LOVE that you do this!
Annette@FitnessPerks
I have been suggesting 13 reasons why for a few months now for your book club and I’m so glad it finally made the cut!!! I hope it’s chosen because its the most amazing and eye opening book!!! (:
Samantha Sinko
I think you’ll really enjoy 13 Reasons Why (it seems like the clear winner). BUT, I would still make time for Shatter Me. It’s AWESOME!
Lisa @Read.Breathe.Relax.
13 reasons why
heather
*oops – I meant loop…ha!
Jamie
So excited to read ANY of the three chosen! It’s time to dust my Nook off! I’ve been out of the reading look for too long – I haven’t heard of any of these, but will be happy to read whichever wins!
Jamie
I voted for the Mirrors at Barnard Hall simply because I’ve already read 13 Reasons Why for my book club last year. If the description got you hooked, just wait until you start reading. It’s one of those that you can’t really put down… the chapters are all short enough and flow well enough together that it’s “oh just one more before I go to bed” and then you finish the book at 4am.
Kelsey
I’ve never heard of any of these books, but the Mirrors at Barnard Hall sounds intriguing. I’m really into mystery books that have a spooky twist. I’ll probably read it regardless of the choice. LOL I have a heard time with the book club because we don’t have a bookstore anymore and our libraries have long waiting lists for popular books. I FINALLY got Divergent!! Yay!
@pluvk
13 reasons why is such a good book! i read it when i was a freshman in high school. it’s a easy read. (very easy) but is still compelling!
Molly
I’ve been meaning to read “Thirteen reasons why” I heard on E! that they are currently casting it for a movie to be released in 2013!
Mila @ loftyappetite
I wish I had headaches that come and go quickly. Unfortunately, that’s so not me as I sit here I realize I have a slight one. I had a headache last week that lasted about 6 days and it took me about 5 days to realize it was a mild migraine stretched out over time. Then I got called into work today because a coworker had an awful migraine. Knowing that feeling I went in – fingers crossed that’s some karma for me if that ever happens to me where I can’t work (again)!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
I almost exclusively get tension headaches from sleeping on my neck wrong.
They take forever to get rid of, although I do find that mild painkillers allow me to relax enough to let go of some of the tension.
Lauren
Yay! I am new reader of your blog and just love it! Running, dogs, food and now BOOKS? Could it get any better?! <3 Just downloaded samples of all three books on my Kindle because they all sound awesome! For all of you tablet/e-readers, "The Mirrors at Barnard Hall" is only $2.99 on amazon
Lily
Shatter me and The Mirrors at Barnard Hall sound good! Before reading all the comments I kind of ignored the 13 reasons why because I thought it would be depressing but now reading all these comments maybe I will have to read it. I just rented shatter me at the library and bought Mirrors at Barnard Hall on amazon for 3$!!
Kellye
I think I would really enjoy 13 Reasons Why!
Keri
When you posted this yesterday, I just had to download 13 Reasons Why. I ended up finishing the whole book in about 2 1/2 hours. I could not put it down! So good.
Ashley k
I read Shatter Me, it was OK. The other two sound really good. I’ve been looking for a new book to read, but haven’t found anything that sounded interesting. Now I have two and I’m no longer stuck with Fifty Shades, yay!
Lissy
I vote for 13 Reasons Why.
Lisa Meyer
Oh my goodness, I know you posted this a while back but reading the descriptions of those books, I couldn’t decide just one. I like them all and I thank you. I will be putting those on my wish list. (:
Abby
I hope you don’t mind that I linked back to here from my blog. I’m following along with the Book Club months and would lime to give proper credit to who gave me the ideas.
Holly