The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

So I hinted last week that I started a book club with my cousins. A few friends have been in book clubs and I always thought it would be cool to be part of one. The first book we selected was The Rosie Project. I paced myself to read to read most of the book shortly before our first meeting, which was today. More on that below. First, the normal review.

The book is about Don, a middle-aged man with Asperger's, who designs "The Wife Project" to find a suitable woman to marry. Don narrates the story, with many typical Asperger mannerisms dominating his life. Don is friendly and easy to like. Rosie crashes into his life, throwing off his rigid schedule. Rosie is clearly not a match for Don based on the questionnaire he designed to weed out incompatible women, but her desire to find her real father captivates him.

Pretty soon Don is acting out of character trying to help Rosie find her father. At the same time, he is enjoying basic dating activities with her, even if he does not recognize them as such. I started to fall off the wagon a bit here as parts seemed too out of character. Then I was almost certain I knew who Rosie's father was, although I ended up having this wrong. The ending goes fast - I did not even realize what was happening - although it is a tad on the unrealistic, fairy-tale side.

There were a couple of personally neat underlying themes...finding someone who accepts you for you and never seeing what is in front of you even when everyone else can see it. I also think it's noble to have a protagonist with Asperger's, although the caveat is it can be conflicting to some because in reality there is a spectrum.

Now for the good stuff: my thoughts on the book club. First, the neighbor knew we were having a book club meeting cause we were carrying in our books. Nerdy cool. We had a nice lunch to catch up on on things then we focused on the book. We followed the discussion questions in the back of the book, although they were not great. I thought it was fun to apply themes and situations from the book to our lives. Overall, it was a good experience and I am looking forward to the next meeting!

My rating for The Rosie Project: 3.5 stars out of 5. Get it here!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies was recommended by a female friend a few months ago. I had it on my bookshelf for a while but it was never at the top of my list. Then I read an article last week that it was going to be adapted as a television series on HBO, starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (it actually debuts tonight). Whenever books intertwine with the mainstream I like to post a review about the book. So I had to read Big Little Lies. Remember that this review is from a guy's perspective, although I will try to be open minded.

The book starts six months prior to a murder that has occurred in a small, competitive town where the moms are way too into themselves. I have never seen it, but think Sex in the City. There are a lot of characters at the beginning, but it becomes easy to catch on. The twist with the murder is the reader does not know who has been killed (we do not find out until the end).

At the end of each chapter - the chapters are short - there are interviews and statements made to police after the murder, although it sounds more like gossip. As you read, you learn more about the relationships and motivations, as well as how easily things can be misconstrued. You are trying to figure out who was murdered and who was involved. The style and layout made for a great murder mystery feel where you do not want to stop reading.

The middle goes a little on the dark / heavy side. I guess I can understand since it's a chick book. The author does a good job keeping it relevant to the story. I have to give credit where credit is due: I did not see how everything would come together. I definitely did not predict who did it. The only part I did not like was the very end (biting my tongue so I do not spoil anything).

Some chicks are definitely like the characters in the book. In fact, I know a few ha. Most women will like this book (a good beach read). Guys, I'm not so sure this one is for them.

My rating for Big Little Lies: 4 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. Next week will be a unique blog. Two of my cousins and I started a small book club. First meeting is next Sunday. I'll provide my normal review of the book we read as well as my thoughts on participating in my first book club. Exciting stuff!

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

Full disclosure up front: Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors. I love all of his books. Mitch is known for Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Usually deep, hopeful, positive themes with life lessons and good morals to strive towards. His books are on the shorter side and to the point, which I like.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto is the story of a made up musician going through the ups and downs of life. What makes this unique and interesting is the entire book is woven through real life musicians and events. Think Forest Gump-esque. I recognized some of the names, but I spent time googling to see if things actually happened as described in the book (a lot of it was true). In turn I learned about music events since the 1940s. Some of the most popular real-life musicians share stories of encounters with Frankie Presto. I thought this was a really cool touch and gave more credence to the realness of Frankie Presto.

The other very unique aspect to the book is that it is narrated by Music. Almost in a God-like tone. Now you might say this sounds ridiculous. But having Music narrate the book makes perfect sense and actually works really, really well. You have to believe me.

If you're into music you will love this book. Even if you aren't, you will still appreciate the highs and lows Frankie Presto goes through. I really liked how the story progressed. I can see some people saying it seems too impossible for everything to be true. Or that the ending was cliche. Maybe so, but given how impossible Frankie Presto's life was, I thought the ending was fitting.

My rating for The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto: 5 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. I am predicting that this will be a top 5 book of 2017. Highly recommended.