Happy New Year, and welcome to our First book of the New Year Event, hosted by Book Journey!
This is my first time participating in this event, and I’m excited. I spent some time handling the various books on my stacks, trying to decide…and when I had narrowed it down to two books, I took some photos.
The winning book was The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. And here I am reading it!
Blurb: THE ART OF LOVE IS NEVER A SCIENCE
MEET DON TILLMAN, a brilliant yet socially challenged professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. And so, 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 is all these things. She also is strangely beguiling, fiery, and intelligent. And while Don quickly disqualifies her as a candidate for the Wife Project, as a DNA expert Don is particularly suited to help Rosie on her own quest: identifying 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.
Arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, Graeme Simsion’s distinctive debut will resonate with anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of great challenges. The Rosie Project is a rare find: a book that restores our optimism in the power of human connection.
***
My second choice is one I also plan to start reading this week, but since it is a chunkster, with 700+ pages, it may take awhile.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to think more about savoring the books and less about the numbers of books read.
Do you have any resolutions for the New Year? What book is your first choice to read?
AN INTERIOR JOURNEY 
What a great pic of you and your first book of the year! I will look for your review in January. My post for this meme will be up tomorrow.
LikeLike
Thanks, Laura….I will be watching for your post. I like how we are making a celebration out of our first books of the year.
LikeLike
You look beautiful Laurel-Rain! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Beth, and I hope you have a Happy New Year, too.
LikeLike
That sounds like a wonderful New Year’s resolution! There’s nothing worse than having to rush a good book or feeling pressured to read on when you feel like taking a time out. 🙂 Happy New Year honey. I hope you enjoy these!
LikeLike
Thanks, Annie…I do like the idea of getting back to the pure enjoyment of the read. Hope you have a great New Year, too.
LikeLike
I have heard such fun things about The Rosie Project…I have it and need to read it…I am so attracted to books with red covers…not quite sure why…enjoy your first book of the year! I plan on reading a murderous mystery!
LikeLike
Yes, when I picked the book up, I had read great reviews…and then I liked the redness of the cover and the quirkiness of the storyline…a perfect start to a New Year. Thanks for visiting, Patty, and enjoy your New Year and your murderous mystery.
LikeLike
Pingback: NEW YEAR’S EVE POTPOURRI: A COZY EVENING AT HOME | POTPOURRI
I love seeing your smiling face! I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Happy New Year. My first book is by Susanna Kearsley.
LikeLike
Thanks, Nise…it was a lot of fun to do the “photo shoot” with the book…lol. I hope you have a great New Year…and someday I’m going to read something by Susanna Kearsley. Maybe this year!
LikeLike
I want to read The Rosie Project and have it on audio to do so sometime this year! Love your goal of savoring books rather than have goal of reading tons of books. I was just thinking sometimes I don’t take the time to really appreciate the book I am reading.
My first book of the year
LikeLike
I have been thinking about it a lot, remembering how much I loved to read and just take my time. I didn’t mind chunksters back then, which should tell us something. Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn, and have a great New Year.
LikeLike
I’ve heard a lot about The Rosie Project – will be interested to hear your thoughts on it.
I plan on reading a few chunksters this year, too – and like you, not worrying so much about getting through so many books as much as reading the books I want to. The chunksters I plan on reading are Anna Karenina, Fall of Giants, Winter of the World and The Tea Rose, to name a few!
Happy New Year!!!
My First Book of the Year
LikeLike
Ooh, sounds like a great list of chunksters…Of those, I’ve only read Anna Karenina, which I’d like to reread. Enjoy! And thanks for stopping by, Kristin T.
LikeLike
Good choice, Laurel-Rain. I loved The Rosie Project. The other book I don’t know but it seems very different, and that’s nice, too. It’s nice to alternate genres.
LikeLike
I agree, Judith…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your book! Happy New Year.
LikeLike
The Rosie Project sounds good…ENJOY!!! This meme is so much fun.
Happy New Year!!
Stop by my blog tomorrow for an international giveaway of Jubilee’s Journey. I think you have that book, though. 🙂
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My First Book of The Year
LikeLike
Yes, I will be receiving Jubilee’s Journey in the mail soon….Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your First Book. Happy New Year, Elizabeth.
LikeLike
What a great choice for the first book of the year… The Rosie Project narrowly missed being on my top 10 list. It really made me laugh so it’s an uplifting choice.
LikeLike
That’s so good to know, Cleopatra. So far, I’ve only read the first chapter….but I’m ready to settle in for the day. Enjoy your book…and Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I haven’t heard a bad thing about The Rosie Project so I’ll definitely be looking for that one this year. Happy New Year!
My First Book of 2014
LikeLike
Thanks, Shan….It was one of my recent physical book purchases at Barnes & Noble…it would be hard to share a Kindle book, wouldn’t it? Enjoy your book…and Happy New Year.
LikeLike
The Rosie Project is on my Amazon wishlist. I am waiting for a cheaper hard cover or the paperback before I buy it though. I hope you enjoy it. Happy New Year and happy reading! I added my first book post to Sheila’s Linky.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kathy…I am already loving it. Hope you enjoy your choice, too, and Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I love how you blinged out your picture! I hope you enjoy your first book! Here’s my post:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2014/01/first-book-of-year-2014.html
Colletta
LikeLike
Oh, thanks, Colletta…I like playing with images on PicMonkey. Thanks for stopping by, and Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Great pic! I just downloaded The Rosie Project this morning – a Kindle deal! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Thanks, Mary. Most of my new books lately have been downloads or review books. Hope you enjoy this book, and thanks for visiting. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I love love love Pat Conroy! He is one of my all time favorites.
I love your photo!
LikeLike
Isn’t he fabulous? I kept putting this one off because it is hefty…but then I thought: I’d rather be engrossed in one fabulous book than in three or four “meh” ones…lol. Thanks for stopping by, Erin, and glad you liked the photo.
LikeLike
I’m itching to read Rosie. If only it will come in for me at the library!
LikeLike
I hope you get to read it soon, Deb…I’m loving it already. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I read the Rosie Project a few months ago 🙂 Happy 2014 – may it be filled with fantastic reads!!
The Brunette Librarian’s 1st book of 2014
LikeLike
The same for you, Brunette Librarian…I love a New Year, open to all kinds of possibilities. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting my site. Your book looks like a summer read for me. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Yes, it is a fun read so far. Thanks for visiting, Sara, and enjoy your read. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
I’ve been reading good things about that book. I hope you enjoy it. Also Happy Reading in 2014. I choose a mystery that has been on my bookshelf for a year or two.
LikeLike
I always enjoy a good mystery to take me away from daily life. Thanks for visiting, Gigi Ann, and I’m enjoying the book so far. Happy Reading!
LikeLike
That books was on many’s favourite lists. Love your hair Laurel
LikeLike
Thanks, Marce…my daughter regularly styles my hair. I am enjoying the book so far….Happy New Year.
LikeLike
The Rosie Project reminded me a little of Flowers for Algernon. I loved Don’s unique voice in the story. Greetings!
LikeLike
Yes, I am enjoying his voice, too. He actually reminds me of a couple of people I know! Thanks for stopping by, Book Belle.
LikeLike
I think you chose a great book, but I have to say, BEACH MUSIC is one of my favorite Pat Conroy novels, and the pages turn quickly! You couldn’t go wrong! Happy Reading!
LikeLike
Yes, it was hard to choose just one, but I am saving the hefty Beach Music for next week….Thanks for stopping by, Alison, and Happy New Year.
LikeLike
The Rosie Project has been everywhere. I have considered it each time I’ve gone to the bookstore for at least a month. I also like Pat Conroy. I don’t think you can go wrong with either book. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I agree, Jennifer. I plan to enjoy both of them…thanks for stopping by, and Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Great choices to start off your year. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Thanks, Yvonne…glad you could stop by. Enjoy your pick.
LikeLike
Enjoy your first read of the year! I loved The Rosie Project-reviewed it on my blog, The Things You Can Read, and Pat Conroy is one of my favorite authors!
Cynthia
The Things You Can Read
http://www.thethingsyoucanread.blogspot.com
LikeLike
I am hearing good things about The Rosie Project, and so far, I am really enjoying it. While I started it today, I haven’t read much. I’ve been watching movies. Thanks for visiting, Cynthia.
LikeLike
I bet you had a great day of reading. I came home late and am just getting started 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, you did have a late start….hope you enjoy your evening. Thanks for stopping by, Sheila, and for hosting.
LikeLike
Excellent choice for a first book. Rosie Project was one of my favorites for 2013.
LikeLike
That’s good to know, Leslie…I haven’t heard anything bad about it. I’m loving it so far. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
What a cute picture! I’ve heard good things about the Rosie Project so I hope it starts your new year off right! 😉
LikeLike
It is doing just that, Kate…although I didn’t get much reading time in yesterday. Today will be better. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Great post, enjoy your first read of the year! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by my blog.
LikeLike
Thanks, Brooke…hope you enjoy your book, too. Have a great New Year.
LikeLike
Great photo! It looks like you’ve selected a couple of wonderful books. I’ve read so many positive reviews of The Rosie Project! Enjoy! Happy New Year!
LikeLike
So have I, Pat, and I’m delighted with the book so far. Enjoy your New Year!
LikeLike
Lovely photo, hope The Rosie Project is a great start to 2014 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Teddyree….glad you could stop by, and enjoy your New Year.
LikeLike