The Rosie Project -Book Review

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Some books you just love, this is one of those books.  I enjoyed this book so much, I recommended it to Sky (we favor different genres, so the book has to be high quality for us to recommend to each other ) and he loved it, too.

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The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a romantic comedy.  The story is from the male protagonist's point of view, which you don't run into a whole lot in romantic comedies...and it is a great spin.  The story is about genius genetics professor, Don.  He is brilliant, but socially very awkward, making you wonder if he might be on the autistic spectrum.  Apparently, his friends and colleagues wonder this about him, also.  An early scene involves a friend asking Don to fill in for him, delivering a lecture on autism.  The resulting experience is hilarious, I could not stop laughing through this part, and had to read it aloud to Sky...this was the point he decided to read it....  This scene played in my head as performed by Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" t.v. show, I wanted to call the show and tell them they needed to do this scene with Sheldon.

So, the story centers around Don, deciding that it is time to look for a wife- and going about it in a very systematic way (imagine flow charts, scientific surveys and applications). Enter Rosie, who is the antithesis of Don's list of wifely attributes- who he mistakes as a "wife applicant" but who is really looking for help on a personal genetic project.  The rest is sweet, hilarious and even has some mystery thrown in.  Don really starts to grow on you, he really is a caring person, just a little "awkward" in his delivery.  I loved, loved this book.

5 stars out of 5 stars!

I read very fast, and I am always reading something.  It is easy for me to enjoy something, but not easy to obtain 5 out of 5 with me, I really loved this story.

The best part, there is a sequel coming out in December!  It's called

The Rosie Effect

 

Feed Your Fish! book giveaway

I've got a very special book giveaway!

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I happen to know, that the author of this very cute childrens book- Michael Madlener -is a homeschool dad.  His wife is Tracy of Ask Tracy about Homeschool {the blog} I don't know about you, but I am all about connections, and I give a bit more extra attention to creative projects done by other bloggers or by other homeschool parents.

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His book has gotten special attention in other places too, it won a Gold Award through the Literary Classics for Picture Book-Preschool !!

Feed Your Fish! 

Is a very sweet rhyming book about a little boy who finds other things to do instead of feeding his fish.

..."please feed your fish!" he heard her say  In a mothers tone that meant "today!"  He looked at her, "mmm, let me think" And as she stood there at the sink, "Before I finish one more dish, Go upstairs and feed your fish!"

sound like a familiar tale at your house???  yeah, at mine, too.....

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the illustrations are bright, fun and comical.  The shark king, I kind of lurved him :)

don't worry, all ends well with our fishy, rhyming tale!...and have I got a good ending for you, too!

I am giving away a copy of this so-very-cute book *AND* a $10 Starbucks gift card (to soothe your ravished Christmas shopping nerves!)

need it now? Don't worry, you can get it at Amazon! *Feed your Fish!

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment! 

for an extra entry, you can also:

  1.  like Feed your Fish on FB
  2.  tweet this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet)

Leave a comment for each entry.  Giveaway will end Thursday, December 22 at 10p.m. Pacific Standard time.  Giveaway is open to continuous United States addresses only. (only 3 entries total per person)

*disclaimer- I was not compensated for this giveaway

52 books in 52 weeks ~book 12 *Best Friends Forever

Photobucket Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner  is the story of Addie Downs, a girl who did not quite fit in, but yet was lucky enough to find a fun best friend.  Valerie Adler moves in across the street when they are 9 years old.  Addie's family isn't quite like everyone else's but they are warm, loving and good.  Valerie lives with her selfish, self-absorbed mother and pretty much fends for herself.  Valerie grows out of her awkward stage, Addie does not and in highschool the girls have a dramatic betrayal and falling out.  This is the story of what comes next, of Addie finally deciding to do some brave things and change her life- of the crazy/hairbrained adventures Valerie brings back into her life.

The story is very much an adventure, I was hooked on finding out what would happen next.  The ending was a charmed one, Sky would call it a "Jenny-ending" -the magical happily every after kind of endings...almost.  Not a perfect ending, but a surprising and good, hopeful one.

This is one I would recommend, it's very entertaining and good fun.

*you can join the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge here

52 books in 52 weeks, book 11

 

Darcy and Fitzwilliam : a tale of a gentleman and an officer by Karen Wasylowski is another Pride & Prejudice inspired work.  In this story, Darcy and Elizabeth are enjoying newlywed bliss.  Half the story describes this bliss, their wait to welcome a baby and some trouble stirred up by Caroline Bingley.   The second half deals with Richard Fitzwilliam, his post war demons, his playful and entertaining relationship with his cousin/best friend Darcy and his complicated new love interest- a young widow.

I liked this story very much, the writer furthered the likability of all the main characters.  I was a little put-out with her portrayal of a love affair Darcy had right out of college- and of her portrayal of Lizzy resorting to throwing things at her husband upon hearing about it.  First, I felt that Darcy would not have had such an affair, his honor would not have allowed it, and Lizzy would never throw vases at her husband..her mother, maybe- but not Lizzy.  I was a bit miffed, but the book was so well written and the characters all so likeable that I kept reading.

Lady Catherine gets better treatment in this story, the author softens her and details a loving attachment and concern between the aunt and her nephews.  Reading about her defense of them, and of Lizzy was sheer fun and comedy.

All in all, one of the better Pride & Prejudice spin offs- a very good, fun read for those who cannot get enough of Jane Austen's world.

You can join the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge here*

52 books in 52 weeks-book 10

The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks is a book about love, loss, strong women and friendship.  The story starts out with Sunny Cooper trying to force her boyfriend to level with her and tell her what has gone wrong with their relationship.  Something is wrong with them...money problems? another woman?  She's at a loss and he's not talking.

A tragic accident changes her life, and the story follows Sunny as she remakes her life, all while her childhood memories color and influence her feelings and choices.  You see, Sunny grew up on a hippie commune in New Mexico- and while she despised parts of her childhood, you can see that it also contributed to the caring and very strong woman she has become.

Her thoughts, memories and journey in this story are gripping.  I think she does what all of us sometimes long to do, step out and claim a full life in a new, beautiful place.  There is a bit of mystery in the story, a few big surprises, and a few possible love interests. I enjoyed how real the author made the people in this story, how real she made the places feel, and how authentic Sunny's experiences were.

The end was warm, full and satisfying...though I can be a bit simple and kind of like everything to be all tied up neat and happy at the end- I didn't exactly get that, but the author gave a satisfying nudge in that general direction.  I closed the book satisfied, happy and feeling warmed by this story of grace and strength. 

*like to read? You can join the challenge here

52 Books in 52 weeks- book 8

Katy Carter Wants a Hero by Ruth Saberton.  A very fun, British,chick-lit book.  Katy Carter is a school teacher secretly dreaming of finding true love and also secretly working on a steamy romance novel.  She thinks her life is on the fast-track finally, to happily ever after; engaged to the handsome hero of her dreams.  Problem, her fiance doesn't seem to like her much these days.  Katy is busy trying to please her fiance and squelch who she wants to be.  Her story takes a very decided turn after a very important dinner party she is supposed to host to impress her fiance's boss.  Problem: she is not a very good cook and not good at planning- enter her best guy friend to rescue her. Maybe.

This story had quite a few twists and turns, most of them very silly fun.  A few points were just out-and-out fantasy...but in a good way.  Yes, we would all love to bump into a gorgeous movie start and be asked to be his girlfriend for the tabloid's sake...not going to happen, really- but this book is so much fun that you sit back, watch it all unfold and enjoy the ride.

This book put a smile on my face, I couldn't put it down- wanting to see what crazy thing would happen next to Katy.  This one will go on my fav list.  Several adult situations, though pg I would say...and quite a bit adult language that would make it unsuitable for youngsters. 

You can join up with the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge here*

52 books in 52 weeks- book 7

oy, I am so behind!  I've actually finished a few books, but haven't written the reviews for them yet :(

Week 7's book was a fun read:

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon

This story is about Rachel, who all in a short span of time, lost her boyfriend, her job, her flat and inherited her late aunts' house.  She moves into the house, to sort out the will and see into selling it.  The house also comes with a dog rescue shelter that is not in the least profitable. 

Rachel's aunt had a way with dogs, and a special gift for matching up just the right dog with the right owner.  Rachel resents it a bit that the town assumes she will be the same.

Rachel is sorting out the house, her aunt's secrets, unraveling family miss-understandings and sorting out her messed-up love life.  We also meet some interesting people who become side-stories to Rachel's story.  In this small village, we meet the cute, single Dr.- the cute, rugged and single Vet, a struggling divorced mother dealing with a puppy her ex gives the kids, and Natalie and Johnny- young married couple longing to have a baby.  Of course, we have lovable and lonely dogs, too.

I really enjoyed this read, it was a bit deeper than a chick-lit novel and did not tie everything up into a tidy, perfect, slightly unbelievable package at the end.  Real life is not usually that tidy, and this book gives you a satisfying ending- but realistic and hopeful one, too.

A really good read, I recommend it!