Twenty-one Truths About Love

1. Daniel (Dan) Mayrock is not always a lovable narrator, but he is scarily relatable at times.
2. His wife Jill is likely a saint.
3. Dan’s love of books is charming; his lack of research before opening a book shop is not.
4. Matthew Dicks created a compulsively readable novel with a unique narrative format with Twenty-one Truths About Love.
5. I’d like to write all of my reviews in list form moving forward.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the writer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I received an ARC of this novel from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in exchange for my review. When I first looked at the description of this story told in lists, I wasn't thinking that it would be a style I would enjoy reading-boy was I wrong! OK, so this story is completely told in lists that our main character, Daniel Mayrock has created. When I first started reading I thought maybe there would just be a few lists at the beginning and then a narrative would break out-nope-this book is totally written in lists. The lists are painfully honest, at times hysterical and heartbreaking and they always left me with the impression wondering how Matthew Dicks was able to write this?
It was so totally creative and unique that I ended up reading many of the lists aloud to my husband and we would both laugh at how honest and funny they were. Do Not miss reading this one! Suspend your doubt that a book of lists could tell a story. The story they tell is fantastic. This will be my most recommended book for next fall!

This was so fun and really amazing. I really enjoyed this title. The story was interesting and I learnt a lot from reading this story.

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for providing me with the digital galley of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback!

When I read about Twenty-One Truths About Love, I was completely intrigued. An entire novel written completely in lists?? How can you do that? Well, Matthew Dicks did it, and it is incredible how he accomplished it. Initially, I was not sure I liked it... I have never read any book like it, and it was a little hard for me to understand where he was going at first. However, I am so glad I continued to read it. This is a creative, incredible, laugh out loud, fun page turner about the trials, tribulations and joys of Daniel Mayrock (who goes by Dan, not Danny - unless you are his father or his new friend Bill). Dan finds himself in a quandary, having quit his teaching job to open a book store, that is not making the money it needs to, for him to support himself and his wife. He also does not want to tell her, so he begins to think about creative ways to get more money. Very creative and sometimes crazy ways. In between working these ideas out, Dan reports on his day to day life in the form of lists, which was something he started when he was in therapy, as it was easier than journaling, but could then not stop. His lists encompass things like: "Comments made by Kimberly," one of his employees who he would like to fire, but cannot seem to get himself to do; "Problems with being the boss"; "Dan's Law's of the Universe"; "Jill's sentences before falling to sleep" (Jill is Dan's wife); and many many many more.... The lists build on themselves throughout the novel, so you see them change and develop as his life goes on over an 8 months period.

Through out my reading the novel (over the course of 3 days), I kept reading things out loud to my husband, who occasionally could see the humor and occasionally looked at me like I was crazy.... so I guess you need to read the book to understand just how funny and creative it is. This is a work of art, that will touch your heart, your funny bone, and your fascination with Dan's journey. I have never read anything by Matthew Dicks, but I will have to read the rest of his books, as he is truly brilliant!

This book is all lists and I found it fascinating.

I found the way Daniel's mind worked in making lists of everything he could think of fascinating. When I started this book, I could not imagine where it was going and how the author would be able to tell a story through lists. But they did. Daniel grew as a person and you can see it in his lists. The plot unfolded through the lists. This was THE MOST UNIQUE BOOK I HAVE EVER READ and I loved it!!