Twenty-one Truths about Love.....is a book uniquely written in lists. Yes, in list form. Clever for sure. And actually, not a bad way to read a book.......Matthew Dicks took a “leap of faith” here and it worked. The book is funny, laugh aloud at times, begs you to read some of the lists to your husband, wife, partner, anyone sitting next to you who could use a chuckle. Okay....so Dan, the main character and the incessant writer of lists, made some bad choices. One of them was quitting his teaching job, where he enjoyed both gainful employment and a promised pension, to open a book shop, without researching the viability of book shops in present times. But he was disenchanted with teaching. He took a chance......it happens. After I got over my judgmental opinion of that decision being moronic, I allowed myself to sit back and enjoy the ride. You will not be sorry you decided to read this book. It’s light, yet contains struggles, but the struggles are dealt with humorously. Matthew Dicks is a clever writer and we can all glean something relatable in many of the lists. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This book is made of lists...I truly didn't get it. I almost didn't even bother reading it, but I'm glad I did.
It is a super quick read because its in lists for the most part, but that is what made it so enjoyable. Plus it dealt with a bookstore (which I loved). Its obvious that Daniel was a obessive list maker and to be honest, I liked him except for his judgemental tendecies.

good read!

Well I love the cover, I love lists, and can respect a list maker. That’s the extent of my love for this book. It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just that without a narrative,I’m simply reading endless rantings of a neurotic weakling who would rather list all the places he peed instead of getting his life together. There is only so much of a whiny man that I can take...

What I did NOT like about this book:

The format is kind of strange -- just lists, lists, lists
Daniel is sometimes very annoyingly self-centered
A great deal of the plot is left to the reader’s imagination
Planning a robbery is just DUMB
Agonizing over planning a robbery gets tiresome
Daniel seems to have an obsession with penises (his and others’)

What I REALLY liked about this book:

The format is innovative and entertaining -- lists, lists, and more lists
Some of the lists are absolutely hilarious! I laughed out loud several times
Daniel is a bookseller -- I love any books that feature bookshops and booksellers.
His comments on teaching and teachers are perfect!!
Despite the sparse narrative (none, actually - just lists) the plot and accompanying emotions come through loud and clear and I became attached to all the characters, even Daniel
There’s actually some really good advice here -- about teaching, parenting, marriage, turning right on a red light, and so much more.
A great read -- quick and easy to follow, but with so much depth (surprise!)

I can find very little to recommend with this book. The format was not something I found enjoyable and couldn't concentrate enough to even get involved with the story.

Do not discount this book because it is formatted entirely in lists. I almost did until I read another review that said it was, even still, very substantial. And it is... impressively so.

I fell in love with the protagonist. Dan is, at the very core, a good guy who tries to hard to protect those he loves while not sacrificing who he is and wants to be. His lists are heartfelt or hilarious or both. And, somehow, Matthew Dicks has managed to write an entire book of only lists and make me feel like I know the characters and plot more thoroughly than some prose novels I've read.

This book is wonderful and poignant and should not be missed. Because of the format, it is a very quick read (I read it in two sittings. Maybe 2-3 hours tops). But it is entertaining and hard to put down.

I washroom sure about this book being written only in list form. It wasn't for me. I couldn't get invested in the storyline or even find a storyline. I finally gave up on this book midway through.

I enjoyed the style of the book......telling a story in a collection of lists. I felt like I was in his mind and really got to know Dan. Especially the self doubt, fears, and love. I laughed at Dan's insights about quitting teaching, opening a bookstore, marrying a widow, his parent's divorce, and the concept of fatherhood. I recommend this book strongly to anyone who enjoys an intimate view of a man's mind; A great story of belonging, love, and family.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoyed the alternative approach to telling a story and the use of lists. With that being said, I often found Dan to be depressing and gloomy. I also found that he would contradict himself when writing lists of things he does not like, but then goes and does them himself. Despite this, I was compelled to finish the story because there were questions that I wanted and needed to be answered, not to mention I wanted to find out what happens in the end.

A book written purely in lists and short statements of Dan, a bookshop owner, who’s life and bank balance isn’t going to plan - mostly because he doesn’t have a plan.
Dan’s going to become a father and so makes some plans to make some money.
This book is an utter delight, Dan shares his fuckups, failures, lies, love and glory in simple statements that manage to give a real honest insight and humour in to family relationships work dynamics, friendship and love.

I’ve not read any other books by Mathew Dicks but I will definitely look out for him in the future. Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Interesting approach to a novel... entirely written in lists. It took me some time to get into the rhythm of it, but once I did the book just flew. I can't honestly say I enjoyed this book, as I found Dan to be incredibly annoying and so lacking in confidence that it made me cringe. At the same time, I could see elements of friends and family members in him, and perhaps that helped me keep reading, as I am always looking for ways I should respond to them. The novel had a great conclusion.

This book is hilarious. I loved it--it is written entirely in lists. I read it in one sitting. I ddin't think I would be so into it but as soon as I started it, I could not stop reading it. Dan, that narrator and list writer, is sooo funny and honest. He has issues and flaws and he doesn't lie about them either which makes this books so good. He has a great personality and kept me interested from his very first list to his very last. Could not stop reading this one! Thanks to NG and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this awesome, perfect-for-summer novel!!! Highly recommend this one!!! SO fun!!

I went into Twenty-One Truths about Love extremely excited, but a tad apprehensive because I’ve never read a novel that is written entirely in lists! Well, I definitely didn’t need to be worried because I found this novel absolutely brilliant! I was amazed how through the lists I was able to get a full storyline filled with humor, heartfelt times, and cringy moments. Throughout the entire book, I kept thinking that Matthew Dicks deserves a metal for creating such a wildly original novel that is unputdownable! Twenty-One Truths about Love is one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in a very long time! I highly, highly encourage this 5+++ star book to everyone! I haven’t read Matthew Dicks prior to Twenty-One Truths about Love, but I will be 1-clicking his previous published novels as soon as finish this review—cannot wait to read more from him!

I started off really loving this book, but lost interest about half way through. The story is told entirely from lists which I found very unique & the humor throughout was entertaining. The more I got to know the MC, Dan, the less I liked or connected with him as a person & the way all of his problems get solved at the end just didn’t quite fit. Again, I loved the concept of a story told using only lists - but it needs more depth or a more relatable MC.

I actually enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book written entirely in lists, but this did not disappoint. While it may seem a bit disjointed at first you get used to it and it becomes humorous as we follow the main character through his ups and downs in life and his love of his wife and his owning of a bookshop. It was a quick light read and I enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more from the author.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book that is written entirely in lists but, I absolutely loved it. The format is so unique and never felt redundant or repetitive. Every character really comes to life with humor and drama as Daniel tries to come to terms with the fact that his life as a bookstore owner is not what he expected. He is having financial worries and his wife Jill, who knows nothing about the financial troubles, wants to have a baby. As he tries to make ends meet and simultaneously make Jill happy, he knows that something will have to change but, he isn't sure what that is. This book is a page-turner from the first to the last. I laughed out loud and could relate to Daniel. His worries are universal and Matthew Dicks does such a great job of making this character likable with his flaws and all. 4.5 stars

Twenty-One Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks was just such a treat of a read. This is a book of lists. Y'all, let me say that another way, this is a fictional story that is built entirely around and told only through lists. How does that even work? Read this, and you'll find out how it can be masterfully done. The story focuses on Dan. Dan owns a bookstore. It's stressful and not exactly going well, and he shares much of this through lists he makes, but hasn't told his wife. Then, his wife shares that she's pregnant. He's excited, but he's also wondering how he can make it all work financially. This really is a love story. Dan loves his family, and he did love/does love the bookstore, but he has to figure out how to make it all work. I would have never thought a story like this could convey so many feels through list, but y'all, it really does. There were lists that made me laugh out loud, others that made me legit tear up, and others that just made me really get the stress that Dan was under. I came to love Matthew Dicks through another "nontraditional" story (Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend - Read. This. Book.), and he's done it again with this one. You won't be able to check this one out until November (my early look is thanks to NetGalley), but add this to your to-read list now because you're going to want to immerse yourself in this gem of a read.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

A novel written in list form. Seriously? Wait…what did you say? A novel written in list form? What kind of book is that???
An engaging, captivating book. Really! My one piece of advice before you start this book- buy some Little Debbie Snacks.
On Amazon, Twenty-one Truths about Love is categorized as “Epistolary Fiction”. (Please don’t confuse “epistolary” with “episiotomy”- which also figures in this book.) Epistolary fiction is a novel written in letter form. I have read books like that, and also books written in diary form. This is the first time that I have read a book that is written in list form- and only lists.
Author Matthew Dicks is an accomplished author and he has crafted a story that will make you laugh, shake your head, tear up a bit, and completely entertain you. The lists, some are long, some short, some use but a few words, amazingly form a complete story. A story that will engage you with a well-rounded main character. Sometimes you want to hug Dan and sometimes you want to shake him. He has many problems, involving his wife, job, family, friends, his whole life. Months by month, list by list, he struggles to work it out.
I highly recommend this book and I also recommend that you read the reviews for this book on NetGalley or Goodreads. (The book doesn’t release until November). Many of the reviewers were braver and more talented than me and reviewed this book in list format- and their reviews work, too! Here’s my favorite item from one of Dan’s lists: “Winners arrive on time. Losers are always unexpectedly stuck in traffic.”
Many thanks to NetGalley, the writer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

From the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend comes a wonderful new novel about a struggling man, written entirely in lists. This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. Dan doesn’t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family’s finances. His story unfolds entirely in his lists, which are brimming with Dan’s hilarious sense of humor, unique world-view, and deeply personal thoughts.

Holy. Moly.

This book was amazing.
Start to finish.
One day, couch binging, reading.

I am so pumped to have read this book.
This is seriously some great stuff.

It’s not a traditional book with structure of a disturbance or fully building problems. We’re placed into the middle of Dan Mayrock’s life. Lists and all. He doesn’t want his wife to get pregnant, but she does and the rest comes after.

His witty lists, funny descriptions, and real thoughts make this one absolutely a must.

A different approach done really well. The adult fiction market needs a new approach. I’m not asking every author to write like this, but this stands out as a successful way to bring story to light.

There’s charm, there’s love, and there is determination. Sure, Dan gets whiny and complains at time, but you know what? This is real life and I honestly couldn’t have asked for something better.

Unique and quirky. Would love to hear more from another point of view. I can imagine how his wife, Jill, could write her lists and there could be an excellent contrast.

Effective. Witty. Funny. Emotional. This book knocked it out of the park.

Thanks, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one!