Twenty-One Truths About Love: one man's life in list form

Twenty-One Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks is the story of Daniel Mayrock, told through his lists as he struggles with his failing bookstore, his inability to tell his wife, Jill, about their financial future and her desire to have children. He is a man at a crossroad in his life. He knows that he loves his wife. He regrets opening the bookstore and quitting his job to do so. He takes great risks to save his marriage, to do almost anything for love, but he is a man who wants to do something out of the ordinary, to be special and to deserve happiness. Will he be able to do all he dreams? Will he come clean to his wife about their finances? Will they be able to have a family?

Twenty-One Truths About Love is told in an interesting style. A style I had not heard about, so I was intrigued and decided to give it a chance. While it was hard to read, it was like getting deeper into the mind of the narrator in ways I haven’t seen before. I applaud Mr. Dicks for taking a chance on such a unique idea. However, I discovered I did not like Daniel. I had no sympathy for him whatsoever and some of his comments in his lists were annoying. That was the beginning, as I read and as I saw his struggles once Jane does get pregnant and he sees his worst nightmare coming true, he realizes that success and happiness comes in different forms. There were times I wanted to scream at the book, “TELL HER!” but I also see why he fears telling her. In the end, it is a book about a man struggling to make a life for himself and his family and struggles on how to do it. If you are interested in new forms of storytelling, I recommend Twenty-One Truths About Love. If you aren’t, its best you leave this one alone. 

Twenty-One Truths About Love

will be available on November 19, 2019

in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Gone Girl: secrets and lies

Gone Girl is a 2012 best seller by Gillian Flynn which was turned into a 2014 film starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. The book explores to the two sides to every story. Told in three parts, the story gives the present day events as well as flashback leading to the present as told in Amy’s diary.

Nick Dunne wakes on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary and soon discovers that his wife, Amy, is missing. He finds the house ransacked and chores left in process of being completed. He calls the cops and waits for them. When the cops arrive, they find his behavior suspicious as he doesn’t try to contact any of their friends or family looking for his wife. Through Amy’s diary entries, we see how they met and their early marriage in New York City until layoffs and family illness takes them to Nick’s hometown in Missouri. Nick soon discovers blue envelopes with clues written by Amy, at first he thinks it’s some sort of romantic anniversary scavenger hunt but as the evidence mounts against Nick, he realizes that something more sinister is at work. Did Nick kill Amy? Where did she go? Is someone playing a sick game of cat and mouse? Will Amy ever return home?

Gone Girl is definitely a different story of who done it. As the book progresses, I started to question Nick’s innocence then I didn't then back and forward. When the truth behind Amy’s disappearance is revealed it was a big shock! It had a nice twist which left me feeling sad and angry at Nick and Amy at the same time. It is a story about secrets, lies and revenge. I can’t really reveal too much for those who haven’t read it. I would ruin the shocking twist. However, I highly recommend Gone Girl for those who love a mystery which leave you turning the pages to discover the truth. I am also looking forward to seeing the film to see have it compares to the book.