There are lots of good books on marriage, but I want to mention just six of them here that I highly recommend. And in recommending them, let me just give one brief statement of why I like them.

As For Me and My House: Crafting Your Marriage to Last by Walter Wangerin Jr.

  • I love Wangerin’s approach in talking about marriage here.  He doesn’t write about steps to follow, but really approaches the topic from a real narrative standpoint, sharing story after story that the reader can enter into and relate to about marriage.

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Sue Johnson

Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships by David Schnarch

  • Schnarch’s discussion on “differentiation” is very valuable.  I love his insight.

Sacred Marriage: Celebrating Marriage as a Spiritual Discipline by Gary Thomas

  • His first chapter on how marriage is about “holiness and not happiness” is paradigm shifting in most of our views.  It was mine.

The Mystery of Marriage: Meditations on the Miracle by Mike Mason

  • This is my favorite book on marriage.  Not steps, just a deep, philosophical and theological look at marriage that is quite refreshing.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman and Nan Silver

  • I mentioned this book last week, but it’s a great book with some very practical tips and exercises for couples.

What books would you add to this list and why?