6 Relationship Books for Your Marriage
I’ve been blessed to be married to my wife for almost 20 years. It hasn’t always been easy; we work on it all the time. To help enhance your marriage, here is a list of relationship books that have helped us. They are in no particular order, and I’ve included brief reviews. You can find them in print, digital, and audio formats in stores, online, or at your local library.
Here are the top six:
1. The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
I’ve found over the years that when my wife and I are speaking the same language about things, we can create an awesome experience. When it feels like things are falling down and crashing around us, we’re not only speaking different languages, we’re only talking to ourselves.
In The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman’s interaction model describes five simple ways to learn to communicate love with your spouse. Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch are Chapman’s languages. When you’re speaking with your mate in their love language, their “Love Tank” is getting filled and they have more love to give back to you. I see examples of this every day with my wife, Joy.
For military couples, there is a special The 5 Love Languages: Military Edition, which includes military-specific advice and a free download for use during military separations and deployments.
2. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman
One of my favorite books. The seven principles identified through Gottman’s research are powerful, and when coupled with the exercises included in the book, you get practical tools to strengthen your marriage.
3. Men’s Relational Toolbox by Gary Smalley
The metaphor of tools in a toolbox gives guys immediate access to the message using terms and concepts that are easily understood. I really appreciate the fact that they thought long and hard about how to convey a positive perspective on men participating in a relationship.
4. Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts by Les Parrott and Leslie Parrott
The Parrotts share their personal relationship journey with all the challenges, confusion, and celebration that a relationship can bring. They ask and explore seven powerful questions and illustrate them with their experiences. They then provide practical solutions you can implement to help you create, improve, and enhance your marriage.
5. 1001 Ways to be Romantic by Gregory J. P. Godek
This is a book about living a way of life that is caring, loving, and passionate. It’s not just dating ideas—it’s about framing your action, attitudes, and thoughts with romance.
6. The Secrets of Happily Married Women: How to Get More Out of Your Relationship by Doing Less by Dr. Scott Haltzman
I took this book on vacation with me figuring that I would read snippets when I had a chance. Once I started reading, I found it difficult to put it down. I’m the kind of person who treasures books and almost never writes in them. My copy of The Secrets of Happily Married Women is covered in underlines, stars, and circles. Each marks a passage that I think is required reading for my wife so that she can understand where I’m coming from. Also marked are discussion points for us to set expectations in our relationship.
Pick up one of these, read it, and apply it to help get your marriage in gear!
If you have a favorite relationship book, please share it in the comments.
