Whether you’re preparing for the vocation of marriage or have been married for decades, there are a few books that I think every couple must read. I’ve read these marriage books over the last couple years and they have not only inspired me in learning how to love my husband better but have also helped me navigate my way through murky waters when times get tough…and we all experience times like that.
Just Married – Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak
While I know we’ve mentioned this one before, it is worth discussing again. Just Married is a must for newlyweds and a good resource for those who have been in the trenches a while too. The Popcaks offer thoughtful insight on what it takes to build and sustain a solid foundation for a great marriage. Personal accounts of their own struggles, sprinkled with practical exercises couples can do together makes this book a winner. The Popcaks wisdom and pragmatic approach to marriage shows readers that happily ever after can be within reach.
Love and Respect – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
This one is a gem and truly one of my favorites. Dr.Eggerichs really cracks the communication barrier often felt between husband and wife. His explanation is spot on as he delves into the notion that a spouse’s deepest desire for acceptance is experienced in different ways; men desire for respect and women crave love. Filled with true to life examples of communication breakdowns, Eggerichs fills this book with practical ways to show love or respect to your spouse. The combination of Scripture and psychology are truly what make this one so exceptional and supplies the reader with a greater understanding of what the Lord is desiring for their marriage.
Holy Sex – Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak
Sex…holy? What…does not compute. Holy Sex is a must read for any of the Catholic faithful looking to spice things up in the bedroom. Dr. Popcak and his wife Lisa cover everything from the theology behind our sexuality to the nitty-gritty of this most intimate act between husband and wife. Anything you could ever think to ask as a Catholic about sex can most likely be found in this book. I’m serious…anything.
And people think Catholics hate sex…ha! This book reveals quite the opposite.
The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman
We’ve all heard of it but have you and your spouse ever taken the time to read this book together and figure out the ways in which you both want to be loved? If not, what are you waiting for? And for those of you who have gone through The Five Love Languages before, you might want to peruse it once again. It’s amazing how much your love languages can develop and change once you are married or after kiddos come along. Whether you are just beginning to dive into marriage or perhaps find that you and your spouse need a little jolt of romance, this book is a great resource as it gives practical ways to better love your spouse.
The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse – Art and Laraine Bennett
For any couple that has ever struggled with each other’s idiosyncrasies…which seriously is like every couple…this one is a must have. Not only do the Bennetts reveal a lot about my husband’s personality in The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, but mine as well. In this easy read, Art and Laraine offer a comprehensive understanding of the temperaments, divulging their strengths and weaknesses all while giving readers a deeper appreciation and acceptance for the spouse God has blessed them with.
Side Note: This book is great for learning to better cooperate and understand people, in general, not just your spouse.
So there it is…the top 5 books I would encourage every couple to read. Whether you are just getting married, need to spice up your sex life or looking for ways to better understand each other, these reads have proven to be great tools for Pat and I as we maneuver our way through this vocation.
A note about affiliate links
If any of the books strike your fancy and you would like to buy them, please click on a link in this post. When you buy something using the affiliate links on our site we earn a small percentage of the sale which helps us keep the site running (at no additional cost to you). Read more about how this works.
Which books are on your top 5 list? Share in the comments below.
