The Rosie Project

Excerpt from the back cover: Love isn’t an exact science—but no one told Don Tillman. A handsome thirty-nine-year-old geneticist, Don’s never had a second date. So he devises The Wife Project, a scientific test to find the perfect partner. Enter Rosie—'the world's most incompatible woman'—throwing Don's safe, ordered life into chaos. Just what is this unsettling, alien emotion he's feeling?

I bought The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion after three weeks of waiting and pondering. My instinct kept prodding me to buy the book. When I started reading, I think I have a crush on Don Tillman. Right from the beginning.

Don's awkwardness and quirks are really rather charming. For example, he counts everything to its most precise timing. He has a fixed schedule down to eating lobsters every Tuesday (according to his Standardised Meal System), and has to recalibrate if his schedule is thrown off course. It's hilarious to see him recalculate or use the term The Rosie Time.

Another thing that jumps at me about Don is the way he project-coded everything (because I do too!). Be prepared to be charmed by science. I love the fact that this novel—written by a technical guy, Simsion—is so readable and awesomely romantic even in the most awkward way.

Here are all the adjectives I can think of to describe this wonderful page-turner: romantic, funny, inspirational, thought-provoking, comedic, sensitive, awkward, quirky, charming, delightful, brilliant, good-hearted, gem, unputdownable, moving, touching, fascinating, adorable, smart, amazing, amusing, clever, different, skillful, special, extraordinary.

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Updated 31 July 2014: Even Bill Gates recommended this book!

Updated 26 August 2016: You Should Absolutely Read "The Rosie Project" by Ben Halpern. This is a great post and the best part is he loved the book! He said it’s “an absolute page-turner.”