Welcome to Litsy!

#TemptingTitles Day 9: #WithANumber - another book find from Big Bad Wolf book sale here in the UAE.

I loved this one. It was sweet and funny and a little sad and told entirely in lists. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Current reading situation. Holiday vibe! And it‘s snowing! #tistheseason

I picked this one up at my last bookstore trip and the description and quote from TJR on the cover sold me. I always enjoy epistolary novels, and this was a spin on that with the MC, Dan, writing lists about everything from his worries to stupid things his bookstore customers say. It was sweet and quick to read. The last handful of pages even succeeded in getting me choked up as it revealed the title list about 21 truths about love.

I was very intrigued with this book made entirely of lists and the synopsis seemed interesting. However, the story did not meet my expectations. 90% of Dan‘s lists were pointless. The lists got really old quick and just turned irritating. Dan as a character was a spineless idiot, who I just hate. ⬇️

#3books #thatmademelaugh .....
I just noticed that today‘s 3 books are all romantic comedies of sorts, and all have a male protagonist who means well, but is hilariously inept in the ‘love‘ and ‘romance‘ department! 😂💕

Totally forgot to post this, but a few weeks ago I completed the 2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge. I had so much fun reading these and the prompts were wonderful. I tagged Twenty one Truths because it was the last one I read to complete the challenge. This was a 50 book challenge, but so far this year I‘ve read 78 books total!

This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. But Dan doesn‘t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family‘s finances he wants to do something special...

This book is told completely in a diary of lists that did start to get old after a while. The list maker is a very insecure man who has some bizarre thoughts. Overall it was cute with a bit of side eye. 4⭐️ book 31

A quick, cute read written entirely in lists. I‘ve always liked books written in unconventional formats so that‘s really what drew me to it. The story is quite plain for the most part, but the list format makes it charming. A “pick” for me personally, but barely; a “so-so” as a recommendation. See comment for a spoiler on what dropped it down to a so-so. 3.5/5⭐️

“A man who doesn‘t believe in God prays in desperate times in the same way a drowning man attempts to draw breath while underwater. Sometimes all you have left is the impossible.”

Because I‘m starting this while working from home.

Loved it..... but it seems to be polarizing Litsy readers. I think there may be 2 things that will make you either like or be irritated/hate this book.. 1- if you can tolerate an entire novel in lists (this quirky format is explained), and 2- whether you warm to Dan or find him an intolerable d*ck (as he often calls himself!)
... continued in comments⬇️

This was a fun, witty and delightful read. The humor reminds me of Douglas Adams in that it's a but dry and straight and should be read in a sarcastic tone.

It reminded me of three important lessons that we learn as we enter into adulthood.

1.) Ask for help.
2.) Talk to your family as often as possible.
3.) Forgive yourself and others and start again in love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This Book was recommended by Annie Jones on the From the Front Porch podcast. I read the whole thing in one sitting. Although it‘s over 300 pages, it was a quick read because the book is written in lists. The amount of emotion and plot that the author is able to convey just through lists is so cool. It reminded me a little of Eleanor Oliphant. One of the best books I‘ve read this year and a great way to finish 2019.

A quick, entertaining read. The list thing didn‘t really work for me but it was filing enough.

Review is up on my blog. This one is different...check it out https://reecaspieces.com/2019/11/19/twenty-one-truths-about-love-by-matthew-dick...

Mail call today. 😁

I think your liking of this book will be largely dependent on if you can read a whole book composed solely of lists. I will admit it got old after a while, but Dan‘s quirks and self-actualizations made it worth the read.

Dan reminded me a lot of Don from The Rosie Project and he had me laughing out loud one moment and feeling empathy for him the next. Overall, this was a quirky, touching novel.

#netgalley #arc

A story about a man, his relationship, and his failing bank account, told completely in lists. It's a fun concept and I think the author thinks in lists, so this was a natural approach for him.

In my reading experience, I found it a bit tedious; it didn't read as quickly as I was in the mood for. The main character is a bit unlikeable and just needs to tell his wife about the finances, and she wouldn't spend $212 on a purse!

Twenty-one Truths About Love is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The entire length of the book is 100% lists. And while you are probably thinking that will never work, it totally did.

For my full review, please visit my blog at: http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2019/10/28/twenty-one-truths-about-love-book-revie...

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin‘s Press for an Advanced Reader‘s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to lie, at first I was disappointed when I discovered that the whole book was made up of lists, I mean...who wants to read lists? Well, when they are written by Matthew Dicks you do. We learn about what it is like to be flawed and human through this unique book. This narrative style could have easily failed, but instead, readers will be utterly enchanted by the raw beauty of this novel. It was moving, funny, and incredibly real.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Enjoyed this quick read. The novel is written in the form of lists. Written from the first person narrative of Dan Mayrock, it chronicles his life, his wife, Jill whom he lives a lot, and his family. The novel shows how far Dan can go, his encounters at the bookstore that he owns, his fears on becoming a father, Jill‘s dead husband, Dan‘s own father who abandoned him, and his endless delightful relatable thoughts.

A story written and told entirely through a series of lists sounds super gimmicky and super annoying ~ and it was and wasn‘t. Through Dan‘s lists we come to understand what makes Dan the man he is, his unwavering love for his wife, his bitterness towards his father, and why potentially robbing The Daughters of the American Revolution Bingo Hall might be the answer to all of his financial woes. I absolutely adored this quirky gem. #NetGalley

List part 2 (continuation of the list from previous post )
Because this is funny!!! And actually true #NetGalley #ARC

I can‘t decide if I love this book or hate this book?!? It‘s written entirely in list format (SUPER GIMMICKY) but some of these lists are actually hilarious 😂 #ARC #NetGalley

I didn‘t mind the story in lists format at all. I just completely hated the main character from start to finish. He was pathetic and made ridiculous choices. 6 months of him running out of money and instead of just getting a job.. he plots to rob a bingo hall? The climax was utterly absurd. Not for me. #reviewathon book 6 #readingrush book 8 #24b4monday.. 7ish hours

This fun novel is told in lists. I texted this quote to my daughter who is a gummy candy connoisseur. She texted back the photo of what‘s in her kitchen. #netgalley @StMartinsPress

This is a novel told in lists. I wasn‘t sure whether this would be a hit or miss. For me, it turns out to be something in between. Dicks advances the plot remarkably well in this format. Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read, but the middle third dragged a bit. #netgalley

👏🏼👊🏼🙌🏼 🤓

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫This book will make you laugh. Dan writes lists, about everything. Throughout his lists, Dan struggles with regret from quitting his job, and of jealousy of his wife‘s dead husband. The lists show his journey to acceptance with himself, his absent father, and his marriage.

It‘s a fast read and an enjoyable one. * Thanks to NetGalley for my copy

* Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for review.

Aside from this being a so so read for me, I did have several quotes highlighted! This one was a gem lol!

I started off 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 was worried I wouldn't like a book composed entirely of lists. I should not have worried. I loved it. A quick read, with moments of laughter. I felt a ridiculous connection to Dan.
#24b4monday @StMartinsPress

Check out this amazing giveaway, #SpringHasSprungGiveAway @Kayla.Adriena

❤❤❤

Time for sleep. 1 book finished, 100 pages into book 2. I don't have much on the agenda tomorrow, hopefully that translates to a lot of reading hours. #24b4monday

Look what I've got. #bookmail #winner @StMartinsPress