Reading List

BOOKS

The Church has published numerous guides and articles relating to marriage, family relationships and family finances.   This is the place to start your research.  However, these other sources can be valuable in understanding and changing your relationships.

Hold Me Tight  By Dr. Sue Johnson

Johnson teaches that the way to save and enrich a relationship is to reestablish safe emotional connection and preserve the attachment bond.

And They Were Not Ashamed  By Laura M. Brotherson, CFLE

A book about physical intimacy and marital ONEness that is comprehensive, in-depth and frank, yet respectfully reverent—written to address the unique perspective and concerns of women.

The Five Love Languages By Gary Chapman

Guides couples in identifying, understanding, and speaking their spouse’s primary love language—quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work  By John M. Gottman, Ph.D.

John Gottman has revolutionized the study of marriage by using rigorous scientific procedures to observe the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over many years. Here is the culmination of his life’s work: the seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship.

His Needs, Her Needs  By Willard F. Harley, Jr.

Identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those needs in their spouses.

Divorce Busting  By Michele Weiner-Davis

Straightforward, effective advice on how couples can stay together instead of come apart. Can be used even if only one partner participates.

 The Brain In Love  By Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Based on cutting-edge neuroscience research, The Brain in Love shares twelve lessons that help you enhance your love life through understanding and improving brain function.

Behind the Smiling Faces; An LDS Perspective on Marriage and Divorce  By Renita Clark and Alan Cassidy
An honest, realistic view of marriage and divorce from different perspectives: sucessfully married couples, divorced spouses, and leading LDS marriage and relationship experts.

The Shelter of Each Other; Rebuilding Our Families  By Mary Pipher

Examines the impact of modern culture–psychology, technology, and the media–on the family, discussing the changing roles of parents and their effects and offering advice on how to rebuild family institutions and values

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands  By Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage.

Bonds That Make Us Free  By C. Terry Warner

Suggests the remedy for our troubling emotions by addressing their root causes, instead of blaming others.

I Don’t Want To Talk About It  By Terrence Real

Feeling the stigma of depression’s unmanliness,” many men hide their condition not only from family and friends but even from themselves. Attempts to escape depression fuel many of the problems we think of as typically male — difficulty with intimacy, workaholism, alcoholism, abusive behavior, and rage.

Getting the Love You Want; A Guide for Couples  By Harville Hendrix, Ph.D

The New Rules of Marriage   By Terence Real

How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It  By Patricia Love, Ed.D., and Steven Stosny, Ph. D

Passionate Marriage  By David Schnarch, Ph.D            Chapters 1, 2, 4, 11-13 especially

h Other; Rebuilding Our Families   By Mary Pipher

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Powerful Lessons in Personal Change  By Stephen R. Covey