I’m Lori.
And I’m a book-a-holic.
Big books, small books, any books, all books, every book, many books, children’s books, picture books, booklets, cook books, non-fiction books, marriage books, hymn books, happily-ever-after books, travel books, poetry books, old books, new books (you get the idea).
Our credit card statements testify to my love of books, so the very best Christmas gifts for me are Amazon gift cards. (Thanks Mom & Dad-in-Law 🙂 ) Fortunately, Robert, my husband, is also a book-lover and knows reading is as important to me as breathing. We regularly share ideas and thoughts and passages from whatever book we’re reading. And when we travel by car (which we do often) I read out loud…
So – because this blog is about encouraging your spouse, and so much encouragement and insight can be found in books, I’d like to share with you…
Some of my Favorite Marriage Books:
- The Bible. Oh, you didn’t know this is a marriage book? Well, it’s the best happily-ever-after book there is… Just think: You have a bridegroom who would do anything, including give up his life, for his bride. There are also stories of love at first sight (Isaac & Rebecca), of a commoner marrying a king (Esther & King Ahasuerus), of a man loving a fallen woman and continually forgiving (Gomer & Hosea), of a man and woman created for each other (Adam and Eve), about romantic and erotic love between a man and a woman (Song of Songs), and more. Have you ever read the Bible like it’s a love story?
- The Five Love Languages – By Gary Chapman. Even if you don’t like to read – at all – I’d recommend having this one book. It’s a simple concept that can be translated into every relationship you have. Robert and I give this book to every couple we spend time with. If you’re interested, I wrote about it here. Do you know what language your spouse speaks when they’re trying to show you love? Do you know your love language?
- Real Marriage – by Grace and Mark Driscoll. This is a book that covers all aspects of marriage – including those sex questions you might wonder about. But my favorite part of the book is the chapter on Friendship. I wrote about this book here. How do you show your spouse that he or she is your friend?
- Love is a Decision – by Gary Smalley and John Trent. Sometimes you just need to have a plan. This book is about creating a plan to love your spouse. Creating a plan for your marriage means you’re in it – to win it! Here’s a little more about this book. Do you and your spouse have a plan for your marriage?
- The Five Languages of Apology – by Gary Chapman & Jennifer Thomas. This isn’t only a marriage book – although it’s definitely useful for your marriage! Have you ever apologized to your spouse, yet he or she didn’t react well to your apology? Perhaps you’re missing something… There are 5 ways to apologize. I wrote about this book here. Would you like to receive a copy of this book? Just leave a comment and we’ll randomly choose a winner!
Of course, there are lots of other marriage books I like – I’ve listed others here.
Do you have any favorite marriage books to recommend?
Hey – I’m always ready to read another book! 🙂
Remember – Leave a comment – Have a chance to receive a free book!
bible….it teaches us both to grow stronger tru our faith
Thanks – I agree that the Bible strengthens us Mawee! Thanks for commenting.
hi, i always read your posts, there are a lot of interesting stuff here. i would like a chance to win this book coz i think forgiveness is essencial in a mariage.
Forgiveness is key – both being able to forgive and being able to ask for forgiveness…. Thanks for commenting, Danyelle and thank you for reading the posts.
Wow! Thus is great! I’d really like to check out these books! :0)
Thanks for commenting Megan!
It is all too easy to take our best friend for granted – will definitely be following up some of these 🙂
You’re right Janice – sometimes we treat strangers better than our spouse! Thanks for commenting.
I loved the languages of love so Apology should be a great learning experience. I would love to win
This book definitely is a great companion to The Five Love Languages – in one chapter Jennifer Thomas and Gary Chapman talk about how to use your spouse’s love language while making restitution. Thanks for commenting.
I’m also a “bookie” but I’m an old fashioned kind of girl who likes the paper books that I can hold and smell (love the smell of old books) and take with me anywhere I want to go.
I will definitely check out your list of books, but to add a few that I’m reading: Love & Respect by Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs; For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn; Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Then there are always the Love Dare and the Respect Dare (these are cool in that you only do one day at a time). I also have a few communication books at home from my college days that helped tremendously.
Oh Shanna – I love paper books too. I didn’t think I was ready to enter the digital age, but two Christmas’s ago my husband gave me a Kindle. I was a little hesitant… but tried it. Now I’m a convert. The fact that I can take my library everywhere I go, and never be without a book is so empowering!
I need to read the book by Shaunti Feldhan – I’ve seen it mentioned elsewhere, and in bookstores. Thanks for the recommendations and for commenting!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this! I love books as well. One of the marriage books I read as recommended by my pastor while engaged, was the Act of Marriage by Tim LaHaye, I believe.
That’s a new one for me, Rosalina! I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks for commenting.
Oh, the Bible is definitely my favorite marriage book. The Song of Solomon is actually giving instructions to married couples!
Thanks for commenting, Susan. I love to read bloggers who delve into the Song of Solomon – a few of my fellow marriage bloggers at CMBA have written about it.
Hi. I think all these books mentioned are very encouraging,especially the Bible!! We all need to be encouraged in the Lord along this Christian journey!! Encouragement coming from those closest to us gives us strength to endure life’s trials! I would love to win your book!!!
Hi Cassondra – I’m so happy you dropped in and commented.
I’m a book-a-holic too. I’ve moved to Kindle so that they don’t take over my house. 🙂
I like 3rd Alternative by Covey. It’s not a “marriage book” but it helps people deal with conflict. I also like Margin by Swenson, another “not a marriage book” that can help you evaluate your priorities and keep your life sane.
Hi there! I’m way behind on the UBC and trying to catch up; I posted in the thread for the day in the Facebook group, and your post was above mine.
What a wonderful blog you have here! In this post, in addition to the Bible, I have read nearly all the books you mentioned and am quite familiar with other books by those authors.
One of my favorite authors and motivational speakers is Joyce Meyer. She does have books on marriage and relationships, and while I haven’t read any of those yet, I have several of her devotional books that frequently address the topics of relationships and marriage.
Thanks for a great post!