Marriage Can Be Forever—Preparation Counts!
(Third Edition)
by Susanne M. Alexander and Johanna Merritt Wu

Marriage Can Be Forever—Preparation Counts! is an indispensable, hands-on workbook based on the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. that will first guide your own heart, mind, and soul along the path of self-discovery. Then, it prepares you as a couple through the friendship, courting, parental consent, and engagement processes that lead to marriage.

Poetry, prose, spiritual quotations, a couple’s story, insightful perspectives, coaching, discussion questions, cartoons, worksheets, and activities engage you in the enjoyable and practical application of spiritual concepts that apply to the marriage preparation process. Contains some Bahá’í quotations not available elsewhere. Note: Approx. 25% of the content is very specific for Bahá’ís or those in relationships with Bahá’ís; the balance is general relationship content.

Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship
by Susanne M. Alexander with John S. Miller
represents a revolutionary approach
to preparing for, seeking, and being in a relationship.

We urge individuals to prepare for a relationship before being in a relationship. This book is designed to walk you through the stages of ensuring you are ready to be a happy, mature partner, with a clear understanding of yourself and a clear vision of what is important in a partner. Then, it guides you through the steps to establish a great friendship-based relationship. The focus throughout the book is on character - yours and your partner's - and the communication techniques and skills that support knowing each other well. It will help you make excellent choices.

Can We Dance? is a 480-page guide filled with wisdom, activities, cartoons, reflection questions, worksheets, and much more that are designed to empower you to have a happy, lasting relationship that can lead to marriage!

Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage (2nd Edition)
by Susanne M. Alexander
with Craig A. Farnsworth and John S. Miller

Researchers talk about importance of not attacking the character of your spouse. This book introduces you to character qualities, so you know what NOT to attack. Then it shares with you how to encourage the growth of the qualities in your marriage and one another. Gently interfaith-based. (Please note: This book now includes the booklet, What's Character Got To Do With It? Enhancing Sexual Intimacy in Your Marriage.)

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What's Character Got To Do With It?
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy in Your Marriage
by Susanne M. Alexander

Discover how transformed your sexual relationship can be when you and your spouse delve into the richness of character qualities together! Patience, enthusiasm, generosity, trustworthiness, and many other vital character qualities affect your life and marriage in many ways, including how you make love. Alexander, coauthor of Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage, invites you and your spouse to bring these fulfilling qualities with you into your bedroom. (Please note: This booklet is now included in Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage.)

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Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts!
Walking a Path to a Spiritually-Based Marriage
on Compact Disc
by Susanne M. Alexander & Craig A. Farnsworth
with Johanna Merritt Wu, Ph.D.

This is one of the most detailed marriage preparation tools on the market. It includes self-preparation, a large section on determining compatibility, parental consent, and the wedding. It is based on the Writings of the Baha'i Faith, with language that makes it accessible to all.

10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage
10 Great Dates Before You Say I Do
10 Great Dates for Empty Nesters
by David and Claudia Arp

These three books are excellent tools to assist couples to focus on discussing specific topics such as communication, unity, resolving conflict, balancing roles, money, appreciating differences, growing together spiritually, and having fun. Each book is tailored for the specific needs of the target group. Included worksheets provide a tool to guide the discussions, and the Arp's give excellent coaching for how to have the discussions and dates be successful. If you have a group of friends who are interested in working through the content together, these books also make great material for groups. See the authors' website for information on DVD's that can accompany the study.

"Our marriages are never static; they are always changing--either growing or withering. When we neglect to make our marriage a priority, it's easy to get bored. Researchers tell us that the number-one cause of divorce today is failure to work on the marriage. Life is stressful. Sometimes life is just plain hard. But the hard times, as well as the good times, can cause us to cling to each other--if we take the time to grow together."
          ~ 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage , pp. 27-28 ISBN: 0-310-21091-7;1997; 208 pages; $12.99 US; www.marriagealive.com

A Thousand Paths to Friendship
by David Baird

An abundance of quotes about every aspect of friendship, the foundation for a lasting marriage.

365 Questions for Couples
by Michael J. Beck, Stanis Marusak Beck,
and Seanna Beck

This is a helpful book for getting to know one another. It's not necessarily directing a couple toward marriage, but may be of assistance in deepening a friendship or relationship.

101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married
by Linda and Charlie Bloom

Review in progress...

Taking Space: How to Use Separation to Explore
the Future of Your Relationship
by Robert J. Buchicchio

This is an excellent book that will shift and expand your views about the value of separation for troubled couples. Robert Buchicchio is a long-time therapist with extensive experience working with couples, and this comes through clearly in the book. Full of practical guidance to help couples at all stages of the process. Includes the application of Transactional Analysis to help couples understand the emotional roles they play as "parent", "adult", and "child" with each other. This is a very helpful book both for couples and for those working with them.

Heather Cardin interviewed approximately 40 long-time married couples from many cultures and religious backgrounds (most now members of the Baha'i Faith), to glean from their experience what is making their marriages succeed and thrive. The generous sharing from the couples, paired with Cardin's insights, make this book helpful and wonderful to read. The couples don't dodge the tough issues such as illness, addiction, financial issues, or death of a child. Topics covered include love, spirituality, intimacy, equality, children, cultural issues, gender roles, and more.
Baha'i Publishing; ISBN 1-931847-31-2, Hardcover, 288 pages

The Five Language of Apology:
How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships
by Gary Chapman

We have been looking for practical ways to teach forgiveness skills to couples and this book is a great resource for that, as well as an excellent companion to The Five Love Languages, which we already recommend to all couples. Excellent examples and clear language make the art of apologizing accessible to all.

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The Five Love Languages:
How To Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
by Gary Chapman

In a direct and simple way, Gary Chapman assists couples to quickly and easily determine how they each understand the other loves them. If you communicate your love by giving your spouse gifts, and he/she best understands love through quality time, there can be a disconnect between you. Other "love languages" include acts of service, physical touch, and words of affirmation. Often couples give the one they most want to receive, which can also cause miscommunication. This is an excellent book we highly recommend all couples read. Note: There is a new edition out for men. Gently Christian-based.

The Five Love Languages for Singles
by Gary Chapman

Review in Progress...

The Five Love Languages:
Men's Edition
by Gary Chapman

Review in Progress...

Hope for the Separated: Wounded Marriages Can Be Healed
by Gary Chapman

Gary Chapman is a champion for marriage and truly does provide hope to those struggling with a marital separation. Includes spiritual, Christian-based perspectives on love and forgiveness.

The 30 Secrets of Happily Married Couples
by Paul Coleman

In the first place, we love that this book makes it clear couples can be HAPPILY married. Chapters are short and easy to read. We appreciate that Dr. Coleman includes how important it is for couples to pray with one another.

How To Say It For Couples:
Communicating with Tenderness, Openness, and Honesty
by Paul Coleman

Review in progress...

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
by Stephen Covey

This is a great book for anyone wanting practical tools for building family unity. There are excellent tips for empathetic listening, family meetings, and much more... The tone is spiritual, but not religious.

Mixed Matches:
How to Create Successful Interracial, Interethnic, and
Interfaith Relationships
by Joel Crohn, Ph.D.

This is an excellent book filled with practical suggestions and stories of real couples working through challenges. Good tips and tools for building unity and resolving issues so they do not become a source of conflict.

Beyond the Chuppah:
A Jewish Guide to Happy Marriages
by Joel Crohn, Howard J. Markman, Susan L. Blumberg, Janice R. Levine

Review in progress...

(Jewish-focused; Based on PREP materials, www.prepinc.com)

Marriage Beyond Black and White
by David Douglas

A fascinating look at the life of an interracial couple.

Review in progress...

Beyond the Myth of Marital Happiness
How Embracing the Virtues of Loyalty, Generosity, Justice, and Courage Can Strengthen Your Relationship
by Blaine J. Fowers, Ph.D.

This is one of the very few books on the market that includes the importance of character qualities in marriage. Part II on The New Vision of Marriage is the best part of the book. Dr. Fowers draws on his experiences counseling couples to bring the book real-life examples. It's out of print, but you may be able to find a used copy...

Thinking Divorce? Think Again:
Seven Realities You Need to Know
by Lorie D.Fowlke

Lawyer and author Lorie D. Fowlke shares the downside of divorce on couples and children in this book. In the introduction to the book, Stephen R. Covey (author of multiple books about 7 Habits for success) says, "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In those choices lie our growth and our happiness." Fowlke points to research that shows if a couple is unhappy, the chances of their being happy five years later is 64% if they remain together, but only 19% if they divorce and remarry. Join her as she explores the pain and myths that surround divorce.

Family Repairs and Maintenance Manual
by Agnes Ghaznavi

This book explores the changing nature of families, especially the focus on family unity and the importance of family consultation and communication. It includes details about the family life cycle, including the transition to being a parent. Ghaznavi then focuses on the growth and training that happens within families from sacrifice, balance, love, justice, and freedom. Gently Baha'i-Faith based.

Sexuality, Relationships and Spiritual Growth
by Agnes Ghaznavi

Sexuality and relationships is a common topic, but it's less common to pair it with spiritual growth. I gained many new perspectives on friendship, loyalty, chastity, fidelity, and more from reading this. The book then delves into some of the negative experiences that can happen in relationships. Some of this is graphic enough that those with abuse in their past or present may find it difficult to read. It may give you healing perspectives as well, however. Gently Baha'i-Faith based.

Marrying Smart!
A Practical Guide for Attracting Your Mate
by Kalyn Gibbens

The method in this book helped Susanne and Craig to get together, so of course we recommend it! Gibbens outlines a specific method of being very intentional in searching for someone who is an excellent match for you. Some of it seemed a little much at times, but overall, we recommend it, because it encourages not leaving it all up to "fate"!

The Relationship Cure
by John M. Gottman

Review in progress...

Dr. Gottman is one of the foremost marriage researchers, so the content of all his books is helpful...

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
by John M. Gottman

Gottman is one of the foremost marriage researchers in the US and has helpful indicators for how to maintain a marriage. This is where we learned about the damage that can happen from character attacks. Gottman addresses divorce indicators, conflict resolution, and how to increase and strengthen the marital bond. Very accessible language, tone, and activities.

Why Marriages Succeed or Fail
by John M. Gottman

This is a very clear statement of what makes marriages work and what sends them down the path towards divorce. Everyone needs to pay attention to what Gottman says about avoiding criticism, which is one of the major factors in failing marriages. He's then very specific about how couples can strengthen their foundations and improve their marriages.

Recreating Marriage With The Same Old Spouse
by Sandra Gray Bender, Ph.D.

I love the communications practices in this book, including the value of keeping promises and using reflective listening. There is a fair amount of the book that is based on the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. Sometimes it's a bit challenging to sort out how to apply this to your own relationship. Dr. Bender includes personal examples from her blended family and relationship with her second spouse that are practical and helpful.

The Secrets of Happily Married Men
by Scott Haltzman, MD

Dr. Haltzman's book is a new voice speaking up on behalf of men--men who are different from women, men who want a great relationship with the woman they love, men who have their own way of creating a great marriage. The Secrets of Happily Married Men offers a positive way of looking at how to build a successful long-lasting relationship from a man's point of view. The secrets were developed out of Dr Haltzman's marriage counseling practice and extensive conversations with men.

Jossey-Bass; ISBN 0787979597, Hardcover, 275 pages
www.secretsofmarriedmen.com

The Essential Humility of Marriage:
Honoring the Third Identity in Couple Therapy
by Terry D. Hargrave

This book is written for Dr. Hargrave's fellow therapists, but there is a lot of content of value to anyone interested in marriage. Humility is a character quality that you may not associate with marriage. And, no, this is NOT humiliation he is referring to. Humility is what is present when husbands and wife serve each other in sacrificial, but just and balanced ways. He says that couples are obligated to give and merit receiving in marriage respect, care, and intimacy. When these are fully present, and there is balance in the giving and receiving, trust builds in the marriage.

I Promise You:
Prepapring for a Marriage That Will Last a Lifetime
by Willard F. Harley, Jr.

In this excellent book that echoes the themes of his best-selling His Needs/Her Needs book for married couples, Dr. Harley helps couples before marriage learn the priorities. He helps couples learn how to stay connected, how to avoid "Love Busters", and gives compelling views from years of doing couple therapy for his perspectives. He has loved his own wife for decades, and he makes it clear how other couples can follow in his footsteps. www.marriagebuilders.com

The Conscious Heart: Seven Soul-Choices That
Inspire Creative Partnership
by Kathlyn Hendricks, Ph.D. and Gay Hendricks, Ph.D.

Review in Progress...

The Love Compatibility Book:
Twelve Personality Traits that Can Lead You to Your Soulmate
by Edward Hoffman, Ph.D. and Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D.

Review in Progress...

Becoming Parents:
How to Strengthen Your Marriage as Your Family Grows
by Pamela L. Jordan, Scott M. Stanley, Howard J. Markman

Don't look to this book to give you much in the way of parenting advice, but it does help you think about the impact on your marriage when you become parents. It includes helpful communication tips to ease you through the process.

This is a fun set of books that have been around for a long time. Every possible type of hug is described along with graphics. Makes a cute gift to give a loved one.

Together Forever
A Handbook for Creating a Successful Marriage
by Khalil A. Khavari, Ph.D. and Sue Williston Khavari, MA

This is a comprehensive book about establishing, nurturing, and protecting marriage. It is practical, detailed, and direct. At times it's a bit dry, but it's good encouragement for developing a new model of marriage. Spiritual themes are included, but specific religious quotes are not.

Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction
by Dr. Mark R. Laaser

Dr. Laaser candidly shares some of his own journey with sexual addiction, which he personally struggled with while serving as a Christian clergyman. He gives practical information as well as ways to move forward. He includes his Christian perspectives and scriptural references to offer spiritual guidance for this challenge. He says, "The process of recovery is a spiritual journey." (p. 167)

Dr. Laaser describes sexual addiction as a disease: "The secret sin of sexual addiction grows from seeds planted in childhood and symptoms may go undetected for years. In adolescence, the indicators of this disease may be confused with normal sexual development. In adulthood, the disease grows progressively worse. Ultimately, if untreated, its victims will die." (p. 15)
[www.faithfulandtrueministries.com ] Zondervan, www.zondervan.com ; ISBN 0-310-25657-7, Paperback, 240 pages

God's Big Book of Virtues
by Juliet Mabey

Well, we just like to recommend books that help people learn more about virtues/character qualities. This is an excellent book to have on hand for daily spiritual time together as a couple.

The Oneworld Book of Prayer
by Juliet Mabey

This is an excellent and broad selection of interfaith prayers on practically every topic. This is an excellent book to have on hand for daily spiritual time together as a couple.

12 Hours to a Great Marriage:
A Step-by-Step Guide for Making Love Last
by Howard J. Markman, Scott M. Stanley, et. al.

For those planning to marry or married. Practical book that addresses communication techniquest, problem-solving, having fun, sharing values and core beliefs, meeting expectations, forgiveness, being friends, and making a commitment.

This is another book from the PREP team (www.prepinc.com)

Fighting for Your Marriage
by Howard J. Markman, Scott M. Stanley, et. al.

I admit to some resistance to the "fighting" theme, but most of this book is helpful. It includes communication techniques and areas to focus on to strengthen marriage. It's a bit dry to read at times, but is a foundational book in Marriage Education.

How to Be a Perfect Stranger:
The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook
by Stuart M. Matlins & Arthur J. Magida

This is not a book one sits down to read cover to cover. However, it is a great book to have on the shelf. If you ever go to weddings (or funerals or other religious occasions), this will give you all the do's, don't's, and cautions you might need for how to dress, behave, and what to bring as a gift.

1001 Questions to Ask Before You Get Married
by Monica Mendez Leahy

This is an excellent and very detailed marriage preparation tool. It's not just lists of questions either. Leahy includes helpful text around them and some worksheets to complete as well. She covers the past, in-laws, significant others, children, religion and spirituality, race and culture, daily life, leisure time, finances, physical intimacy, emotional intimacy, special circumstances (like marrying someone in the military or in prison), and the wedding. She ends with communication and marriage builders.

Why Men Won't Talk to Women and What to Do About It
by Paul McWilliams, Ph.D.

After years of research with his clients, Paul McWilliams has put his finger on a key area of communications that often confounds interactions between men and women--both interpret eye contact differently. If a woman habitually looks at a man, he often interprets it as a demand, an assertion that she thinks she is right and he is wrong, or aggression. For women, eye contact usually means sharing, listening, bonding, openness, sincerity, and respect. Men interpret looking away as an effort to decrease tension during a challenging situation. Women interpret looking away as creating distance, the person is upset or unhappy, or the person is lying and hiding information. McWilliams takes this ground-breaking finding and helps couples learn new communication habits and techniques that restore harmony to relationships.
Country Oak Counseling; ISBN 0-9777452-0-1, Softcover, 180 pages Note: Only available for purchase at www.paulmcw.com/bookstore.html.

Mastering Marriage
For Every Couple Who Wants to Grow Happier and More in Love Each Year
by Charlie Michaels and Mike Brown

This long-time happily married couple have released this wonderful book that is good for people who are 1) thinking about getting married, 2) engaged, and 3) married already. It is very readable and offers insights such as:
.  The three most important words in marriage are "I pick you," which     is to be used as a daily affirmation that "I want to be here, I want     you to be with me, and I will abide by the agreements we have     made." Simple but powerful especially when affirmed at a stress     point, such as when your spouse has caused a fender-bender car     accident.
.   Let your actions say "I love you."
.   Marriage is an "extreme" team sport: "Be a team player in your     marriage and play your heart out. You'll discover that victory is     sweeter when savored together."
They also make an excellent case for couples creating an "Emotional PrenuptialT" agreement and provide a detailed "Marriage Pact Questionnaire." They invite everyone to be Marriage MastersT. www.masteringmarriage.com

Your Special Wedding Vows
by Sharon Naylor

Review in Progress...

www.sharonnaylor.com

After the Baby: Making Sense of Marriage After Childbirth
by Rhonda Nordin

Review in Progress...

After the Baby: Making Sense of Marriage After Childbirth
by Rhonda Nordin

Review in Progress...

The Wisdom of Menopause
Creating Physical and Emotional Health and
Healing During the Change
by Christiane Northrup, MD

Dr. Northrup brings emotional and spiritual insights together with in-depth guidance on a full range of personal and medical issues to consider at midlife. Both women and men both will benefit from her perspectives on nutrition, exercise, physical and emotional intimacy, hormones, sleep, skin care, bone health, and general physical health. As an example of her approach, Dr. Northrup says this about heart health: "It is only through achieving emotional balance that we will truly reach the feeling of being at home within ourselves. And it is only through learning emotional balance that we will be willing to stick with the healthy diet, exercise, and supplement programs that will help our hearts." (p. 492)

Bantam; ISBN 0-553-80121-X, Hardcover, 589 pages
www.drnorthrup.com

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
by Suze Orman

Review in Progress...

Suze Orman's Financial Guidebook
by Suze Orman

Review in Progress...

Why Talking Is Not Enough
by Susan Page

Susan Page calls couples to move beyond some of the model of equality that has insisted on rigid 50% / 50% fairness and into a model that embraces Spiritual Partnership. She says the communication is not the way to get a great relationship, because it is a challenge for couples to learn excellent communication skills. Her book calls couples to action instead and embrace the rewards of a harmonious relationship. One of her strongest points is about having an attitude of good will that says you are on your partner's side, no matter what. Good will allows you to abandon positions that say you are right and your partner is wrong. This then allows you to accept your partner as he/she is. You can then be open to inquire what to do in any circumstance from a standpoint of love:

• What does love require?
• What action will cause the least harm and hurt?
• What will bring about the most love and happiness?
• Whatever I decide, will my action be kind?
• Will it be consistent with compassion?
• Will it bring about good?
• What action will ring me into closer alignment with my higher self?

Jossey-Bass; ISBN 0787983705, Hardcover, 296 pages
www.susanpage.com

Love Talk
by Dr. Les Parrott III & Dr. Leslie Parrott

Couples consistently name "improved communication" as the greatest need in their relationships. Love Talk is a deep yet simple plan full of new insights that will supports communication in love relationships. The book assists couples to identify their fear factors and how they interfere in having a safe space for great conversations. It helps couples assess how they tackle problems, influence one another, react to change, and make decisions. It also includes "The Love Talk Indicator," a free personalized online assessment for one person (additional cost applies for your partner). There are also companion workbooks available for both husbands and wives (must be purchased separately).

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts series
by Dr. Les Parrott III & Dr. Leslie Parrott

The Drs. Parrott write a series of books and workbooks, almost all of which are excellent. They are easy to read, revealing of the couple's own marriage challenges, and direct and helpful to couples. They write books on friendship, marriage preparation, and marriage.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Marriages
by Dr. Les Parrott III & Dr. Leslie Parrott

To be successful, married couples need to be able to handle challenges in ways that bring them together, not pull them apart. The Parrotts explain why every marriage starts out good but inevitably bumps into bad things. Then, drawing on their wealth of professional and personal experience as a married couple, they discuss: Three Good Things That Turn Bad for Some Couples, One Bad Thing Every Marriage Can Make Better, Six Bad Things That Sneak Up on Good Marriages, Four Bad Things That Jolt Good Marriages to Their Core, and How Good Marriages Battle Bad Things. In the next-to-last chapter, the Parrotts take you inside the very soul of your marriage--why it so often aches and how a vital connection with God can join your hearts together. Gently Christian-based.

Best Friends For Life
by Michael and Judy Phillips

This is an excellent that promotes friendship as the foundation for marriage, knowing the person's character, respect for parents, and courtship. It's a bit strong in places, but makes a strong stand for marriage. The authors make the point that the current dating culture sets up people to believe that relationships are all about connecting, high excitement, and then breaking up. Does that sound like it might be a contributing factor to our current divorce rate?! Strongly Christian-based.

Finding Ever After: A Romantic Adventure for Her,
An Adventurous Romance for Him
by Dr. Robert S. Paul

This is a truly excellent and marriage-expanding book. It encourages couples to be fully alive and embracing the adventure of marriage on a daily basis. Dr. Paul provides helpful examples and practical tools to live in a fulfilling, growing marriage that contributes to others. He includes the importance of ongoing learning about one another, creating a shared vision, and being playmates. I highly recommend this book be part of your well-thumbed marriage library. (Note: The book is Christian-based.)

When Good Things Happen to Good People:
The Exciting New Research That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life
by Stephen Post

This book is rich in research-based understandings about character and altruistic service to others. When I finished reading the book, it was full of highlights and post-it notes...a sure sign I loved it! Dr. Post is president of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love and a bioethics professor at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He brings personal and professional examples and the stories of others together with a glimpse into some of the wonderful research the Institute is funding at universities. Each chapter also contains excellent suggestions and measurements for personal transformation.

The Hard Questions
by Susan Piver

Lots of questions to ask one another for marriage preparation. It was one of the first question books for couples, but 1001 Questions (see above) is far more detailed. What I like about this book though is the coaching the author gives about how to handle asking and answering questions with one another.

Joyful Wedding
by Susan Piver

Review in progress...

The Family Virtues Guide
by Linda Kavelin Popov

This book is not really about marriage directly, but it is one of the most important books written to assist people in understand virtues/character qualities. It teaches key skills that are of value for couples to learn and then use with their children. www.virtuesproject.com

A Pace of Grace
by Linda Kavelin Popov

We tried sharing this book with a friend recently, and she said the problem was, she was too busy to read it! Our advice? Read it at a "pace of grace"! This book for us is a much-needed reminder that we have to pause for self-care and energy renewal to maintain a sustainable life. It's easy to think that everything we must to is vitally important and that it must all be done immediately. This book is a reminder that we bring more vitality, creativity, and joy to our lives and our loved ones if we live it filled with spiritual virtues and at "A Pace of Grace." www.paceofgrace.net; www.virtuesproject.com

Should I Stay or Go?
How Controlled Separation Can Save Your Marriage
by Lee Raffel

Lee Raffel is the ground-breaking originator of the concept of structuring separations to assist couples to avoid divorce. Contains many case study examples.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner:
Celebrating Interethnic, Interfaith, and Interracial Relationships
by Brenda Lane Richardson

We are still reading this one, but it appears to be an excellent resource! The format and tone are approachable and conversational.

Intercultural Marriage: Promise and Pitfalls
by Dugan Romano

This book contains detailed chapters to guide couples through the specifics of values, food and drink, intimacy, male-female roles, time use, place of residence, politics, friends, finances, in-laws, social class, religion, raising children, language and communication, responding to stress and conflict, illness and suffering, ethnocentrism, the expatriate spouse, and death or divorce.

It's Not Your Fault: How Healing Relationships Change Your Brain & Can Help You Overcome a Painful Past
by Patricia Romano McGraw, Ph.D.

Review in progress...

Raising a Loving Family
by Virginia Scott, George Doub, and Peggy Runnels

Review in Progress...

Coral and Pearls
Some Thoughts on the Art of Marriage
by Merhi Sefidvash

This is a quick read and delightful book filled with practical ideas for maintaining a marriage. The author stresses the importance of never taking a relationship for granted, the importance of open communication, developing goals, flexibility and spiritual bonds. She includes the downside of affairs and ignoring one's mate. The majority of the book, however, focuses on how to handle equality, in-laws, sex, consultation and more. Very gently Baha'i Faith-based.

Consent of Parents
by John F. Skeaff

Skeaff has written an in-depth look at the process of parents giving or denying consent for couples to marry. The book is based on the scripture of the Baha'i Faith, which requires parental consent as a means of building family unity. Strongly Baha'i Faith-based.

A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage
by Scott Stanley, et. al.

Review in progress...

www.prepinc.com

The Everything Great Marriage Book
Bob and Sheri Striof

Review in progress...

Conscious Courtship:
Finding Someone to Love for the Rest of Your Life
by Raymond Switzer

This book is an excellent addition to the marriage preparation field. Dr. Switzer is direct and yet gentle about sharing how his perspectives as an Imago therapist (looking at how childhood patterns influence relationships) and as a Bahá'í (relationships include a spiritual foundation, friendship, and parental consent) have influenced the wisdom he shares with readers. He gives excellent information that helps readers find their way through the maze of current views on relationships to learn how to pair heart and mind together in finding a spouse and creating a lasting marriage. Published by George Ronald.

The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage
by Michelle Weiner-Davis

This excellent book provides a 7-Step Program for saving your marriage. Michele Weiner Davis effectively outlines the trap that seeking divorce can become, as couples deal with each other through lawyers, acrimonious debates, and have to stay in touch for the long-term because of children. She provides you with clear guidance and stories that help you to take a fresh look at your marriage, determine what you want to be different, and act to make a difference. She makes it clear that the solutions are not instantaneous; they take time and effort. However, Weiner Davis says most situations can be improved, even if you are handling serious issues such as infidelity, depression, midlife crisis, a passionless relationship, and more. Her urging is to EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE. Her expertise and profound experience makes t his is a must-read book for anyone struggling with their marriage.

See all of Weiner Davis' books and other resources at www.divorcebusting.com .

"Real giving is when we give to our spouses what's important to them--whether we understand it, like it, agree with it, or not! If you and your spouse have spent years debating about love definitions ("If you loved me, you would want to spend more time with my family," versus "If you loved me, you would want to spend more time alone with me on weekends), stop wasting time. You're both right. To have a loving marriage, you have to put yourself out and love your partner the way s/he wants to be loved." p. 54

How Prayer Heals: A Scientific Approach
by Walter Weston

We have long been believers that the world works best when science and spirituality are in harmony with one another. Dr. Weston shares how accessible and powerful the healing power of prayer is for everyone. He says, "God is spirit. God can be described scientifically as an energy field. When people have strong experiences of God, God's presence or energy can continue to linger permeating...the area...."

Fighting for Your African American Wedding
by Keith E. Whitfield, Howard J. Markman, Scott M. Stanley, Susan L. Blumberg

Review in progress...

www.prepinc.com

A Return to Love
by Marianne Williamson

Review in progress...

The One
A Realistic Guide to Choosing Your Soul Mate
by Ben Young and Dr. Samuel Adams

I almost didn't buy this one, because of the title. However, the authors very quickly de-bunk the "soul mate" myth and encourage couples to engage in using their minds and time together to determine if they can establish a lasting marriage or not. Strongly Christian-based.