The lover's dictionary: a novel, by David Levitman

In the Acknowledgement's on the final page, one learns that the author originally gave this short novel, in an earlier form, to several friends as a Valentine's Day gift. And it would make a good one for others to consider. Arranged from A-Z in short vignettes, the author traces a love story by defining each word chosen at the top of the page. From these fragments, the reader can reconstruct the romantic relationship between the unnamed narrator and his partner from its genesis through the stages of its maturing -- and reflect upon love, our connections with others, and our own stories. Here's an example near the end of the book: yarn, n. Maybe language is kind, giving us these double meanings. Maybe it's trying to teach us a lesson, that we can always be two things at once. Knit me a sweater out of your best stories. Not the day's petty injustices. Not the glimmer of a seven-eighths-forgotten moment from your past. Not something that someone said to someone, who then told it to you. No, I want a yarn. It doesn't have to be true.... And another, in its entirety: antsy, adj. I swore I would never take you to the opera again. 211 pp.