Ravelry Knitters discussion

Here we go folks! Let's start February's read (which just happens to have a cheerful red cover with a heart on it)! I'm looking forward to this one. It being on sale digitally, I finally broke down and bought it on my Nook app.

I'm only a few chapters into The Rosie Project but thought I'd share for those who may have finished it already... If you enjoyed the subject matter and writing style of this, you should check out two books by Craig Lancaster titled "600 Hours of Edward" and "Edward Adrift". I've finished both of these and highly recommend them!

Links: 600 Hours of Edward
Edward Adrift

Thanks Kandi. I have to admit, I am loving this book. It's hysterical - and a little sad. I actually know people like this, and they are as clueless as Don that perhaps their behavior, while logical on some level, is not socially acceptable.
That said, the apricot ice cream woman, is, to me, just as bad. Does that mean I have Aspergers? Don't think so, just find all people who view life in absolute terms as annoying.
So far I have only just met Rosie, but I love this book. Don, as annoying as he is, is oddly endearing. I love how he realizes that his friend Gene's children might be counted as his friends "which would bring the total up to four". I don't watch the Big Bang theory, but this seems to have a bit more heart than the snippets of that show that I have seen, so I am really, really enjoying it.

I'm on Chapter 10 right now, and am thoroughly enjoying this book! I can't wait until we can chat about specific parts of the story - there's so many funny parts to share.

It's wonderful that the story is told from Don's prospective - he's so logical!

Do want to read this book but probably won't get to it in February.

I had a quiet day, so I read this while I knitted a cowl. I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. I found that I could really relate, since I definitely know several people who remind me of Don, although I am almost certainly more of a Rosie.

Kim wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. I found that I could really relate, since I definitely know several people who remind me of Don..."

Same here. One of the several people in my life who definitely could be diagnosed Asperger's (or something similar to Don's personality disorder) is my grandson (he's 12). Reading books with this theme/charactors has helped me immensely when dealing with them now and I find it fascinating trying to keep up with how their minds work and adapting to their conversations/point of view. I'm way too much like Rosie, also, but have the capacity to identify with those like Don (as she seems to be trying so far in the story).

Thoroughly loving this book!

I loved this book, so sweet. Rosie's solution to Don's time needs on the evening of their first dinner at Don's apartment was absolutely brilliant.

I laughed out loud. I loved his night of serving drinks, hilarious.

I finished yesterday (2/13/14) and would be interested in what other members have to say about it.

Yes, I loved the night of bartending as well - I loved how well he described how exhilarated he was! So matter of fact, and slightly surprised.

Another thing I think this author did very well was show that for all his flaws and logic-driven choices, he is actually a good person. The birthday celebrations for his friend Daphne, the shock at realizing he hadn't spoken his sister's name since her death...he definitely SHOWS that Don is good without TELLING is Don is good - so nicely done.

I only started listening to this book today (had another audio book to finish first) - 9 chapters so far, and I like it a lot.

My eldest son is a 20-year old Aspie, so I'm recognising a lot of Don's reactions, thought patterns and challenges, from him and his friends (I'm not sure what his total is).

I almost squeed out loud when in chapter 2, in connection with Don's talk to the Aspie kids, they mention Denmark and the hiring of Aspies for 'computer applications testing'. My son is currently taking the AspIT (Asperger-IT) education; they have a high employment rate for their graduating students and are quite popular with IT companies.

My son has been in work training as part of the school curriculum a couple of times, but had to give it up because of confusion and overload (in one place he had to deal with customers, do repairs, AND answer the phone); he wants instead to go to high school and then university.

I put it on hold at the library and got it last week, I just started reading it last night and didn't want to put it down! Today I just want to stop what I'm doing and go read it! I stopped last night at the start Chapter 5. I found myself laughing out load when reading it last night. My Labrador fur babies, Zoie and Terra, kept looking at me as if to say, "what's so funny?"

Great choice! I started this last week and find myself laughing out loud. the main character is so direct honest and charming.

Dorthe, its fascinating, isn't it? I thought this book did an amazing job of showing some of the wonderful qualities people with Asperger's have - the memory and appreciation of routine and organization that so many of us envy. At the same time, it showed is some of the drawbacks ("Yes, the fat woman in the back row? I'm Sorry, the OVERWEIGHT woman in the back row." - still makes me laugh) while showing that they can still have heart.
I have to wonder about the author. Have any of you looked up his other works on Goodreads? They certainly aren't novels!

reading about the author was quite interesting.
I think he'd appreciate some of the comments and observations we've been making!

I loved the book; it is the first book I've picked up in many years that grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go until I finished it!

Just got this for my Kindle, with hesitation for some reason, I must admit. Im about half way through with this and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have laughed out loud at least a few times (especially during the drink serving evening!) I'm appreciating the book for both enjoyment, and from my perspective as a teacher who works with kids with all sorts of personalities.

I just loved this book! I taught school, and have engineers in my family. It made me really enjoy Don and his idiosyncrasies. I laughed out loud many times, and didn't want it to end. Sweet, funny and fun! What more could I ask for?

I'm fascinated by Aspergers Syndrome and how simply looking at it as "differently-abled" people can not only help those with it find their niche, but help them excel and overcome some of their difficulties. Knowledge is power. This book is an unusual and highly entertaining look at that world. Rosie and Don are both precious and endearing characters.

I also found a list of people who had or have Aspergers, it's quite a distinguished group:

Al Gore, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan, Alfred Hitchcock, Andy Warhol, Howard Hughes, Isaac Asimov, Jim Henson, John Denver, Garrison Keillor, James Taylor, Daryl Hannah, John Nash (portrayed by Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind), Oliver Sacks (author of Awakenings), and Robin Williams who starred in Awakenings as the doctor. Amazing people.

Kathryn wrote: "I'm fascinated by Aspergers Syndrome and how simply looking at it as "differently-abled" people can not only help those with it find their niche, but help them excel and overcome some of their diff..."
Yes, folks with Aspergers are very bright and can fit in very well in the world with some guidance and understanding. For example, I had a student who wasn't able to get past the first question on a test or homework until he supplied ALL the information about the question. The first question on a Science assignment was "What is an atom?" The teacher expected "protons+neutrons". My Aspie went on for 45 min. and never finished the question. We had to work on that for a year! He was so intelligent, but he needed to make "rules" to function in the real world.
Loved these kids though!

@Carol: I love that story! It's so believable that Rosie fell in love with Don, and remarkable that he was able to make the changes that he did.

I read at the end of my Kindle copy that there will be another book about Don and Rosie. There was also information on the author and how many years it took to actually publish the book. He reworked it for years, has other writer friends read it and originally made it into a screenplay! Very interesting!