Relationship Books
No two partnerships are the same. That partially explains the broad category of books dedicated to love and relationships. The following selection of reading material covers a range of topics and helpful approaches and tools related to strengthening our relationships with the ones we love.
RECOMMENDED TITLES
By Levine, A. & Heller, R., 2012
In this book, the authors reveal how an understanding of adult attachment can help us find and sustain love. The authors guide readers in determining what attachment style they and their mate (or potential mate) follow, offering a road map for building stronger, more fulfilling connections with the people they love. This is a particularly helpful read for those who are looking to better understand how and why they relate to others as they do.
By Gary Chapman, 2009
This book is small but packs a powerful punch. Chapman believes that love is a way of behaving as much as it is an emotion, and that expressing love is a language we need to learn. The book makes the case that each of us speaks a different “language” of love, and if we insist on speaking our own language rather than our partner’s, we will both end up unhappy and frustrated. It is a practical, useful book and includes a questionnaire that you and your partner can use to better determine your emotional language.
By Sue Johnson, 2008
This book may be an excellent tool for couples working to break out of negative cycles of communication. Developed by Sue Johnson, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) outlines a straightforward model for better communication, focusing on needs rather than blame. This is only a very basic guide and outline for couples and works best when couples are starting joint therapy.