Marriage Books
There are thousands of books and resources designed to support your marriage. Following is a sample of current and classic ones to get you started.
10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage
Arp, Claudia & David. Zondervan, 1997
Organized around ten dates that couples can experience to learn five basic skills and five advanced skills to revitalize their marriages
The Five Love Languages
Chapman, Gary. Northfield Publishing, 2004
Describes the different ways couples express love to each other, including quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
Thriving Marriages
Yzaguirre, John and Frazier-Yzaguirre, Claire. New City Press, 2004
A realistic and compassionate guide to building unity in marriage that
includes easy-to-use exercises and questionnaires. A useful resource
for family life ministers and premarital programs.
Take Back Your Marriage: Sticking Together in a World That Pulls Us Apart
Doherty, William H. The Guilford Press, 2003.
Deals with common traps such as confusing desires with needs and employing a “trade in your old model” consumer mentality.
Making True Love – A Guide to Lasting Relationships
Finn, Donna & Thomas. Pauline Books and Media, 2001.
Young adults and teens can learn much from this attractively formatted and engagingly written book on family living, sexuality, and relationships.
Rekindle the Passion While Raising Your Kids
Garascia, Anthony. Sorin Books, 2001. Restore energy to your marriage despite the hectic pace of caring for a growing family. Use it for a do-it-yourself marriage enrichment time at home.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
Gottman, John M. and Silver, Nan. Three Rivers Press. 2000.
Using rigorous scientific procedures, Gottman has analyzed the habits of married couples for over 30 years. From this research he has synthesized seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious marriage.
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail…And How You Can Make Yours Last
Gottman, John M. Simon & Schuster, 1995.
Guides you through a series of self-tests to help you determine what kind of marriage you have, your strengths and weaknesses, and what actions you can take to help your marriage.
Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples
Hendrix, Harville. Owl Books, 2001.
Hendrix created Imago Relationship Therapy, which combines depth psychology, cognitive therapy, and Gestalt therapy to help your love grow into a lasting relationship.
Remarried with Children: Ten Secrets for Successfully Blending and Extending Your Family
Lebey, Barbara. Bantam, 2005.
Starting with her first controversial secret – that the new marriage comes first, even before the demands of the children – LeBey debunks prevalent stepfamily myths and anticipates common traps, including money issues, warring stepsiblings, and destructive exes.
The Truth About Love: The Highs, the Lows, and How You Can Make It Last Forever
Love, Patricia. Fireside, 2001
The predictable stages of marriage include highs and lows; many couples mistake the lows for the end of love. This book helps couples recognize these stages and move past them.
Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love
Markman, Howard J. and Stanley, Scott M and Blumberg, Susan L. Jossey-Bass, 2001.
Based on empirical research, the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) was created to help couples overcome nuptial difficulties. Just about everyone can improve their marriage by learning skills to handle negative emotions in marriage.
Surviving Your Spouse’s Chronic Illness: A Compassionate Guide
McGonigle, Chris. Henry Holt & Co., 1999
When a spouse is diagnosed with a serious illness, two lives are devastated. Topics include initial reaction to the diagnosis, denial, communication, sex, anger, violence, parenting, and spirituality.
Toward Commitment – A Dialogue About Marriage
Rehm, Diane & John. Knopf, 2002.
Includes short independent essays by each author on anger, family, religious differences, money, arguing, and vacations. The couple then dialogues on how they worked out their differences.
The Power of Commitment: A Guide to Active Lifelong Love
Stanley, Scott M. and Smalley, Gary. Jossey-Bass, 2005.
The secret ingredient for finding lasting love is commitment. Stanley offers a five�step plan, including handling pressures, overcoming attraction to others, and transforming one’s thinking from “me versus you” to “we” and “us.”
Christian Marriage: The New Challenge
Thomas, David M. Liturgical Press, 2007
Reflections on how current theological, cultural, and economic perspectives influence and inform Christian marriage.
The Case for Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially
Waite, Linda and Gallagher, Maggie. Broadway, 2001.
Marriage is a basic and universal human institution that provides emotional, economic, physical, and sexual benefits to couples and society.
The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts
Wallerstein, Judith S. and Blakeslee, Sandra. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995.
This book studied 50 happily married, predominantly middle class couples in California to identify the characteristics that make marriage work.
Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again
Weiner-Davis, Michele. Simon & Shuster, 1993
Case histories illustrate marriage enhancement and divorce prevention techniques that can be helpful even if only one spouse participates.
A Sense of Sexuality: Christian Love and Intimacy
Whitehead, Evelyn & James D. Doubleday, 1990
As psychologists and theologians, the Whiteheads bring a classic sensitivity and authority to an understanding of human sexuality as a gift from God.
Love is a Decision: A Marriage Enrichment Handbook
Charlie and Marty Coe, 2009
A practical, concise “how-to” workbook to help married couples grow closer together. Twenty-nine exercises help couples to understand themselves better and improve communication.
The Treasure of Staying Connected for Military Couples
Lange, Janel. Serviam Publishing, 2004.
Drawing on the stories of other military spouses, Lange offers practical tips to meet the challenges of military life.
