If the first part seems boring it's because she's setting the groundwork for the full story.

I'm not a big Gladwell fan. He comes across as so sure of his own conclusions that I don't feel as if I think when reading him.

I enjoy AJ Jacobs. Loosely the same premise, similar narratives, different conclusions.

Reading the vanishing spoon right now. It's Gladwellish. I have two copies if you want to hold one for a bit.