YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Chapter 9:
(view spoiler)[This book is describing Aspergers Syndrom so well! Not that I know much about it, but I kind of get what it's like. Already Don is developing and experiencing new sides of himself. That's promising!

It seems to me that Claudia doesn't know about Gene's affairs, which I don't really get. How come Don hasn't told her yet? Or should the whole "maybe Claudia put chili in his sandwich"-thing be interprettet that way? So she knows and is punishing him by doing stuff like this? A bit confused towards that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[Rosie is really starting to shake Don's scheduled life and routine and i can't wait to see how Don will grow after spending more time with her. Im very excited(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

This was one of my favorite reads this year. Hope you enjoy it. Have fun reading! ^^

@Ashlin - Can you please hide spoilers? If you click on "(some html is ok)" you'll see how to do it :)
Yeah, I'm excited too!! :D It seems so good!! :D

Irene wrote: "@Ashlin - Can you please hide spoilers? If you click on "(some html is ok)" you'll see how to do it :)
Yeah, I'm excited too!! :D It seems so good!! :D"

:D sorry about that, i forget to add html sometimes and previews. Btw what chapter are you up too?

No problem! :)
I'm about to start chapter 13 :)

Chapter 15:
(view spoiler)[Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh nooooo!! :( This is not what I want! They cannot be fighting. They have to make up soon! PRetty please... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25:
(view spoiler)[I loved the lesson she gave him in psychology. Trying to get him to understand. It worked very well! Also, the scene at the bar, how he became "one of the guys," it was such a great scene. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished it.

(view spoiler)[I feel like there are two sides to this story. It's a story about Aspergers and how they see the world. It's also a story about how we as humans are trying to fit in and are getting to know ourself. Beautiful book! (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED!!
(view spoiler)[, What a great ending although i have to admit i definitely didn't expect it. I really loved the way Don's mind and way of thinking was expressed.Amazing.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Hello you guys Isla and I will be starting this book on Sunday December 14th. If you could change the date for us, that'd be great. Thanks! :)

I think I'm going to start today, I might be too busy tomorrow :P

10%

I've read the first three chapters and I'm totally into it. I can't stop thinking of Don as Sheldon Cooper. I really like the way it is written from his point of view. (view spoiler)[

Like when he lists the options of what he has to do in order to go to the lecture. One of the options was actually damaging the relationship with his friend for cleaning the bathroom! xD

And when he mentions the Hungarian woman with the short skirt, he's completely oblivious to what kind of problem she could have caused with Gene and Claudia. Wow.

Also is Claudia cool with Gene sleeping around or doesn't know? It's weird.

The Apricot Ice-Cream Disaster has definitely lived up to its name.

I love it when he comments that the "blonde with big tits" is a hardly remarkable identifying feature since it's more of a question of elevation and exposure as a result of her choice of costume which seemed perfectly practical for a hot January evening.

"The fat woman -overweight woman- at the back" that's actually him believing he corrected a "minor" social error.

(hide spoiler)] There are so many parts I liked that I want to mention the whole text. I hope it continues to be that good!

Isela wrote: "28% Just finished chapter 10...
Miraaaa!!! This is a great book!!! I wouldn't have found it without you!!!
Alright where do I start... He reminds me of Christopher, from The Curious Incident of the..."

I'm sorry I haven't had the time to read at all yesterday but I got a lot of reading done today though :D

(view spoiler)[ I haven't actually read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Is it any good? Did you like it? I mean if the main character is anything like Don Tillman I'm definitely going to read it. I just love the guy!
What do you mean 'why do people get married?' do you mean like if they could have a full relationship outside of marriage then why get married? Or do you mean generally like why do people want partners kind of thing?
I think Don's mind perceives marriage as the logical next step in his life. His logical thinking dictates that married men live longer and are happier so logically that would be the thing to do, you know?
He does struggle with social conventions a lot. Sometimes I feel like I relate to him and sometimes I think oh my god I can't believe he's that clueless or he didn't just say that! But I love it all the same.
So far I gathered that Gene is sleeping around for a science experiment he's working on; it's something about sexual attraction in different nationalities or something. I don't think he's doing it because it's a "thing". However, his choice of the kind of "science" experiment speaks to what kind of person he is. And I think the kind of person Gene is a slut. I don't understand why Claudia tolerates it since she doesn't seem too happy about the whole idea. That couple has a weird dynamic that I have yet to figure out. (hide spoiler)]

Isela wrote: "51% done...
and what the f....?!
alright, alright! Let me start with what I just read and then I'll go back a little. So she asked him if he found her attractive and he said he hadn't notice! what ..."

We definitely have to read the Rosie Effect right after this one! :D

(view spoiler)[I kind of freaked out at that part too. I mean I knew it was the logical answer and I knew that was what he was going to say but I really really wanted him to tell the truth in his plain innocent kind of way. It was such a disappointment to hear him say that. I do get that he felt overwhelmed and didn't want to say or do anything when he was in that state. I get it. But I was still very very disappointed.
I didn't like Bianca either. She seemed rigid and not the adorable way Don is. Maybe she was a one dimensional character or maybe we didn't get to see much of her but I certainly wanted her part to be over so we can get to the good parts.
The cocktail making was one of my favorite parts too. I understand how he was feeling and it was sad that he rarely feels satisfied in his life in general. That he can actually count those moments and mark them in his head. In order.
I don't know why but ever since Rosie appeared, I felt like she wasn't just a waitress. This suspicion was confirmed when she was talking to Peter Encotti (I'm not sure about the name) about wanting to be a doctor. Even though she denied it after, I still felt that I was right. I was right xD I still don't get why she doesn't like her stepfather. All her reasons can be found in regular fathers as well and they're not that strong. He just seems over protective. I don't know.
I also don't know why Gene is the way he is but I do know that his wife does know about his sleeping around. It looks like they have some sort of agreement but that's all I know so far. (hide spoiler)]

59%

Just finished chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I'll just list a few of my favorite parts. I want to remember them xD

'I was thinking about sex,' Gene said.
'Just for a change,' said Claudia, an odd statement as Gene talks constantly about sex.
Oh my God he cannot detect sarcasm!

I really loved the part where he "submits the Oxford English Dictionary (Compact, 2nd Edition) definition of 'jacket'. I mean wow. His argument was completely valid. And yet he was wrong, that's just the kind of backward world we live in. His attempt to "safely disable" the bouncers was so so badass!

The part where he coughs to get Rosie to get him a beer like the gentleman before him who was probably clearing his throat because he had already asked twice and had not gotten his beer yet. I'm sure his "cough" was awkward since 'Rosie took a moment to interpret the message this time but then got me a beer.' His cough must have been so weird and then a lot of coughs go around because Rosie isn't paying attention to the customers and his only thought is that it's "an effective way to spread disease." Seriously, I love that guy!

Finally the part where first the Dean comes in and finds him practicing sex positions. On the floor of his office. With a skeleton. And a book about sex positions. THEN he feigns a lack of comprehension -because he thinks it means he has to lie about needing funding- which increases the intensity of her signalling. And only afterwards he realizes she's been signaling him to close the sex positions book which was still open on the floor. I just think of how frantic her signalling must have been and I laugh out loud XD (hide spoiler)]

Finished! &I'm ready to start The Rosie Effect. How about Friday?

(view spoiler)[

Oh I see, you mean committing to one person forever. Yeah, I can see your point. Forever is a very long time xD
I think Claudia might have accepted the open marriage not fully understanding what she's getting into. Maybe she didn't think he'd meet so many women from different nationalities. Maybe she didn't think it'll go on for that long a time. I don't know but it seems like she's had enough. I liked how Don stepped in provoking the "bro code" to save his friend's marriage though.
Finding out it was his birthday on top of everything made my heart squeeze a little and added to it the way he tells his shitty story in facts rather than emotions like it's no big deal. She said they shouldn't see each other anymore so he left the restaurant. That simple, you know?
I don't know if people with Asperger's can actually change but like he said he didn't "change" he changed his behavior now that he is fully aware of why he is the way he is.
I had my doubts about every single male over 50 in this book including Phil and Gene so I wasn't as shocked because I've considered every possibility. I didn't need to be surprised to love the book though. It was an awesome read! :D
I can imagine that ending and it fits perfectly with the end of the book xD (hide spoiler)]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 7th 2015. Happy Reading ☺

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Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[I almost had it with this Don guy and his questionnaires .. But I think he's already liking Rosie, I wonder why? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[the guy is in over his head .. it's so fun to read (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28 (view spoiler)[OMG!! Gene cannot be Rosie biological father.. but Gene??!! that's clever :) (hide spoiler)]

Ending (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed it.. When Rosie rejected Don's proposal on his birthday was really painful but the end was PERFECT.. her and Phil working things out and Her and Don going to Disneyland <3333333 Amazing book! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8: He reminds me so much of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory! I think the relationship is kind of like in 1+1/Untouchables, Rosie is really cool.

Chapter 13: Finding this extremely boring.

Ending: I expected more from this, I guessed the ending really early.

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Restarting May 13th 2015

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Looking forward to this!

Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[Don sounds like such an oddball! I cracked up when he suggested an experiment with Mango and Peach ice cream because Apricot ice cream was sold out and the girl just left him there! Haha (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 - (view spoiler)[I love how Don sprouts a lot of facts and statistics. He's charming in his own geeky way :) Rosie has already crossed a lot of boxes on his Wife Project questionnaire! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[Don and Rosie make an odd pair. It's funny how they're sneakily collecting samples of DNA from potential fathers.

I can't believe gene is 56 years old and goes around sleeping with women of different nationalities. Poor wife! Olivia is surely his latest victim (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[That reunion was an absolute success! Don definitely impressed everyone haha The reading of the cocktails book came into good use after all! (hide spoiler)]

Feeling a bit lonely without a buddy but this book is so good!

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[I love Don and Rosie's sorta date in New York! Rosie definitely brings out the best in Don and she's adding so many best days to his life, excluding his visits to the museum of natural history. They're the perfect couple! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[omg!i didn't even notice! Gene is old enough to be Rosie's father and he was the photographer that day and he's notorious for sleeping around! Haha. Oh man.. And how did gene meet rosie again? (hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "Feeling a bit lonely without a buddy but this book is so good!

Chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

I'll join in soon :D

Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[Don changed so much for rosie and I'm so sad rosie didn't accept it... What a mess (hide spoiler)]

GAH so good
The ending was perfect!!! (view spoiler)[Phil's blue eye colour threw everything off completely. There was still the chance that Rosie was his

I was so convinced Don was testing Case's sample. Who would've thought? Even after they went through so much trouble to obtain dna samples hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "Chapter 8 - [spoilers removed]"

Hoping he'll realise it's all about feeling with the heart and not thinking with the head XD

Christina wrote: "Chapter 11
"
bahaha I loved how (view spoiler)[ Natalie was suspicious of Don and his interest in her baby but in the end Rosie swept in and got that toothbrush for the DNA sample ! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Now that he won't be needing Rosie because the project is done, will he realise his feelings? :) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19(view spoiler)[ wow he really wriote up a proposal for the research that was initially fake. It was freaking hilarious when lefebvre wouldn't give his DNA but he sneezed in a tissue and left and Don retrieved the tissue from the bin as a DNA sample (hide spoiler)]

I haven't watched that movie but now I'm interested!

Renee +Tsundoku+ wrote: "Chapter Eleven
[spoilers removed]"

yup. Too much thinking and not enough feeling

Christina wrote: "Chapter 28
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Wow he was right under our nose. (hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "GAH so good


(view spoiler)[yeah I totally missed the significance of the 'blood-stained singlet' when Don pulled it and cut a square because a few sentences earlier he was saying he was sure Case had a one-night encounter with Gregory. That meant her mum did sleep around but no child from there and Rosie was Phil's? (hide spoiler)]

Mods, could you please change the date to April 10th, 2017? Gillian and I are going to read it on that date :)

Thank you!

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Date Changed. Restarting April 10th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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Hi Rachmi!

I'm going to join you and Gillian on this read through. It's my first buddy read. I've heard great things about this book and I'm really excited!

Best,
Meg

Meg wrote: "Hi Rachmi!

I'm going to join you and Gillian on this read through. It's my first buddy read. I've heard great things about this book and I'm really excited!

Best,
Meg"

Hi Meg!

Happy you'll join us. The more the merrier :) I've heard nothing but great things about this book too! My friend basically "force" me to read it, as it's the only contemporary romance she recommended me for the last few years Lol.

I don't typically read straight up romance either, but I love a good quirky character! And from everything I hear, this book has got that in spades!

What do you typically like to read if not romance?