Between the Lines: The Rosie Project

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This month for Between the Lines with Anne and Kristyn, we read and are reviewing The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (buy it from Amazon or from iTunes!).

The Book Synopses via Amazon: 

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate  on The Father Project, Don is forced

to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you.



Here is a video from Graeme Simsion himself talking about the book!

And now on to the Blogger Book Club Questions:

1. Were you surprised at the ultimate revelation of Rosie’s biological father? Did you suspect someone else?
About half way through I kinda suspected the outcome. It's so funny, though, that Don was able to help Gene work on his own relationship in the end after all Gene's help with Don's.

2. Do Don’s Asperger’s conditions help him or hinder him? Does Don’s having autism offer any advantages in his life?
I think he did quite well for himself. His schedule and thought process worked for him. But falling in Love alters just about everything in your life, and the fact that he was willing to change for Rosie is a wonderful thing! Change is pretty hard for people with Asperger's and Autism, so it was HUGE for him to do it.

3. Do you feel happy for Don when he gets rid of some of his unique mannerisms in order to win Rosie or do you feel that he lost a part of himself?
I feel proud of him rather than happy for him. Like I said, it takes a lot for people to change, but through in Asperger's or Autism and it's even harder. I don't think he lost himself, I think he grew as a person. I think he and Rosie were able to make some compromises around his mannerisms, that is part of the reason she fell for him ya know!

4. Does Gene get his comeuppance? What do you think of his marriage situation?
I felt bad for Gene's wife, Claudia, the entire book. She always seemed so sad when her marriage was brought up. She was trying to be a "good wife" by giving Gene what he wanted, but it ultimately taxed their relationship far more than she expected. What's horrible, is that Gene didn't even notice. I don't think he wanted to. I applaud Don for standing up to Gene and opening his eyes about the state of his marriage.

My personal thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book! I have recommended it several times already, and I really want to read the sequel, The Rosie Effect (buy it on Amazon or iTunes!). I feel like it was extremely well written and provided a refreshing change reading a love story from the male perspective. The added element of Asperger's was an interesting twist. I felt like I could totally relate and understand Rosie's reactions to Don's schedule, unique way of thinking, and his scientific honesty about everything. I enjoyed the similarities between Don and Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, even if Simsion wasn't intending for this to be the case. If you haven't read this, add to you list now!


Next Month we are reading All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (buy it on Amazon or iTunes!)


Have you read The Rosie Project? 
Are you going to participate in next months Between The Lines Blogger Book Club?

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Between the Lines: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

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This is the first month of Between the Lines: A Blogger Book Club with Anne and Kristyn. For January we read Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn and Anne was right, this book is a doozy. But it's so good! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Book Synapsis from Amazon

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” She survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, the Kill Club—a secret society obsessed with notorious crimes—locates Libby and pumps her for details. They hope to discover proof that may free Ben. Libby hopes to turn a profit off her tragic history: She’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club—for a fee. As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

For the Book Club, we've got some thought provoking questions to answer from the author herself! So here it goes.

1. Libby became famous as a victim—how do you think this strange fame effected her?
I think it made her resent people and become even more of a reclusive. She learned at a young age to exploit her "fame" and the her mission in this book started out as just that.

2. What do you think of Patty Day as a mother? Is she doing the best she can, or is she making excuses for herself?
I want to like Patty Day, but in the end I just couldn't. I feel like she lets the people in her life run over her and make decisions for her. She lost control and couldn't figure out how to get it back. Granted she had some pretty ridiculous circumstances handed to her, but instead of being strong and doing whatever it takes to make a life for herself and her children, she makes excuses for their poverty and relies heavily on handouts from her sister Diane.

3. Why do you think the author chose to set the murders on a farm? What images and themes does the heartland and farming evoke?
I think Flynn chose the farm and the heartland location because it's unusual. Generally we hear about murders in metropolitan cities, but not tiny farm towns. You want to think their town is safe, slow moving, and simple. But in reality it's got just as many dangers as a city: guns, drugs, sex, gambling, extreme religious zealots, poverty, molestation, etc. The contrast between societal views of what a farm town is like and what occurs in this book is striking.

4. What do you believe in Diondra’s motivation throughout the story? Does her relationship with Ben change him?
Diondra is selfish. Plain and simple. She desperately wants to escape this small town, but I think she's also afraid to do so. I don't think she really likes herself much and craves attention and validation from others due to her absentee parents. Her rebellious behavior is a clear cry for help and affection from her parents, and she's begun to poison Ben against his own family. Misery loves company. Somehow she tricks this sweet, but seriously confused boy into thinking he's important to her, when really she's just using him. Deep down I think Ben knows this, but is just as desperate for love and attention as Diondra is, that he stays with her anyway convincing himself he's in love and doing the "right thing" for her.


I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers or whodunits. The characters are just as complex as the storyline, and even the smallest roles have a significance in the big picture. It's easy to read and follow, while keeping you guessing until the very last moments.

Have you read Dark Places? What did you think?

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A Book Review... or Two

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I love reading. I have quite a collection of books on both my book shelves and on my iPad. Reading is a great way to escape the humdrum of everyday life, and where you don't have the time (or funds) to go anywhere but that comfy spot on your couch.

I haven't done a book review before, so don't hate me if it's not perfect or what a traditional book review is supposed to be, but I just couldn't not share these books with you.

I read "If I Stay" in one afternoon/evening. What drew me in initially were the previews for the movie and the promise of a love story, and I'm a sucker for love stories. This brilliantly written story is no ordinary love story, it's no ordinary story, period. It's about the young heroin of the story, Mia, having to decide if she is going to live without her family after a horrific and fatal car accident, or to let go. The only thing making her decision harder is the honest love for her boyfriend, Adam and the passion they share for music.

I've never read anything like this before, and the perspective Gayle Forman gives her readers is truly unique. Keep your tissues handy, though, there are a few spots that will make you tear up, or in my case, ball my eyes out. Definitely a must read. And I totally plan on seeing the movie soon.

The sequel, "Where she Went", I read in a matter of hours as well. It tells the story of the aftermath of the events and Mia's decision at the end of "If I Stay" from Adam's point of view. After having reached the musical success he was aiming for before the accident, Adam is struggling with so unanswered questions and dealing with is diminishing love for the music he has created. Forman tells Adam's story through his memories and the inner dialogue he has with himself. By the end, you are hoping and wishing right along with Adam that he gets the closure he so desperately needs. This story is just as deep and just as captivating as its predecessor, even if I only teared up once.

I'm almost glad these novels were not long and drawn out. The author manages to pack in all the depth, detail, and emotion into half the size I'm used to. I highly recommend these books to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.  I'll even send you a copy of my own!

Have you read the books? or seen the movie? What did you think?

Sunday Social

My mommy :)

1. Who do you call when you need to vent?
Most of the time I vent to my mom. She always gives the best advice, even if it's not what I want to hear. I did have to tell her once that I knew what I needed to do, I just wanted her to be mad with me. She responded with "I am so mad! Gosh darn it I'm mad!" in her snarky serious voice. I laughed so hard and felt so much better.

2. Where do you go when you need alone time?

I don't have to go anywhere. Philip works during the days, and I am home by myself. I get plenty of time to be alone with my thoughts. When school starts that might be different.

3. What is your favorite alone time activity?
Reading or writing. I enjoy and do both all the time.

4. What is something we should all stop and read right now?
Shannon's blog: Awash With Wonder. Her writing makes my heart smile.

5. Who do you wish would read your blog that doesn’t already? Family? Celeb?
a. Family: I would love for my mom to read my blog. I mention her a lot here and I've sent her the link a few times, but she's never been a blog or online reader, so it's hard to get her interested in starting.
b. Blog Celeb: I would probably pee my pants if Whitney became a regular reader. I adore her, her blog, and her dog.
c. Celeb: I would pass out from elation if Jennifer Lawrence or Anna Kendrick decided my blog was worthy of reading and/or mentioning to people.