11 Points Guide to Hooking Up: Lists and Advice about First Dates, Hotties, Scandals, Pick-ups, Threesomes, and Booty Calls

by Sam Greenspan

Most everyone has been, or will be, one half of a budding romantic relationship at least once—but not everyone knows how to successfully navigate those first-date butterflies, the potentially steamy bedroom scenes, and the ever-feared crushing moments of betrayal. 11 Points Guide to Hooking Up serves as a manual to dating, relationships, and sex—and is a wildly entertaining read for people who are single, taken, young, old, gay, straight, or anywhere in between. Creator Sam Greenspan blends his quirky humor, attuned sense of popular culture, and entertaining approach to produce thought-provoking lists about the ins and outs of dating. Prepare to take notes and laugh out loud with 11 Points Guide to Hooking Up.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what you look for in a website-based book. While it's written very much in the style of the 11 Points blog (a style which I already know I like), the content is all new. You can also tell that he worked on it and honed it more than his blog posts, which is as it should be.

I'd recommend this book to just about anybody. It's not necessary that the reader actually want to hook up; the writing is funny enough, touches on enough universal themes, and makes enough pop culture references to appeal to those who don't need the advice aspect. (Sam is notorious among his blog readership for making as many Simpsons references as possible, so those aren't a surprise, but I was amused by how many Back to the Future jokes there are.)

And now here's my favorite passage from the book, which I even marked with its own scrap of paper because I liked it so much:

From the list "11 Breakup Cliches and What You Should Say Instead":
"(3) 'I don't have time for a relationship.' Somehow, whenever someone drops this one, word gets to you two months later that he/she has entered into a brand-new, super-serious relationship. That's because the whole 'no time' thing isn't true. People will make time for a relationship if they want it bad enough. The president has time for a relationship. Clinton and Kennedy had time for several. You're not busier than those guys. You might not even be busier than Roger Clinton or former MTV VJ Kennedy."

[Melanie Mccarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book (not having read or even heard of 11points.com) expecting it to be like a Tucker Max book or The Complete Assholes Guide to Handling Chicks. This truly was a dating guidebook. Not that I read a lot of dating books, but this one was pretty cute. The author's writing style was pretty humorous and down to earth, even pretty nerdy at times (which is always okay in my book). After you get past the dating basics, the book does have some pretty funny 11 point lists. 11 Things that Happen in Movies that will never Actually Happen in Your Dating Life, 11 Break up Cliches, and What to Say Instead, 11 Sensitive Groom and Body Issues, and How to Address Them, etc etc.

The only real complaint that I would say I had about this book would be the constant use of footnotes. It was kind of distracting and seemed unnecessary since he wasn't really quote actual sources. I read the book on my kindle so it would have been a most unpleasant reading experience if I constantly have to skip back to the end of my book to read something, so most of the time I just skipped them.

I'd rate it 3 out of 5 stars. I found it interesting but I probably wouldn't reread or it recommend it.

[¤Leila | The Fiction Pixie¤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for sheer entertainment value, some of the things said in this book were just laugh out loud worthy, including the footnotes. The idea is that Same Greenspan, the creator of 11points.com, has developed 11 point lists on a variety of situations in the dating/sex world. From worst date ideas, to be places to have sex in public, to 11 things to make sure you do after a break up, this book has it all covered. I don't necessarily have the want to give most of what he is saying credit, I doubt faking an orgasm is ever a good idea, and I don't tend to date guys that you find date books written about, but this book isn't grounded in scientific study, it is what seems to work for him and his friends in particular situations with particular personalities.

[Hilah Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan of Sam Greenspan's blog, and was very excited when he announced that he had a book coming out. I ordered a copy as soon as I could for my friend with out even reading a word of it. When it arrived, I have to admit that I finished about half of the book before I actually gave it to my friend. He doesn't know the website, but he loved the book too. If you have a good sense of humor and an interest in pop culture, I highly recommend this book. You will get through it very quickly.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most dating books, this isn't 100% perfect, but it's definitely the closest I've found. It's funny, down-to-earth, and based in common sense and life experiences rather than a bunch of nonsense facts. The "11 points" style makes it enjoyable and easy to digest. And let me stress again that it's funny (funny enough to make me forgive the author's implication that women don't play real video games)

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

not really my thing... but I figured that if there's anything at all I can co-opt and have a marginal improvement in my socially awkward dating life, it's a win. I'm not sure I found anything in here that I could do without feeling skeevey.

at least the author made a lot of good jokes to make it an entertaining read....

[Julie]

This is a book that I worked on, due out from Skyhorse in June. If you've heard of 11points.com, or love books of lists, or just want to read something hilarious, please check out this book!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (and blog) are not only hilarious but as full of realistic truths. Definitely worth checking out.

[Victoria]

p. 43

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing books about all those things that are SO obvious, but you never think of.