Relationships aren’t all easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. They take a lot of work, effort, and patience. You need to communicate effectively, learn how to resolve conflicts, and ensure you’re staying true to yourself every step of the way. Reading books about relationships by qualified authors is a great way to continuously improve your relationship. Here, we share our favorite books for relationship advice, hoping they help you grow and prosper in yours.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman ($16.99, shop here)
Gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, and quality time are the five love languages. They’re pretty self-explanatory, but not always clear. That’s why Gary Chapman wrote this book. It explains each love language in detail and how to make your partner feel loved the way they need.
Love, Sex and Staying Warm: Keeping the Flame Alive by Neil Rosenthal ($17.45, shop here)
The “honeymoon phase” of a relationship should never fully dissipate. In Love, Sex and Staying Warm, licensed marriage and family therapist Neil Rosenthal teaches readers how to keep that spark alive. After all, romance is best when familiarity blends with new experiences to create an even healthier relationship.
Attached: The Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love by Amir Levine & Rachel S.F. Heller ($17, shop here)
Attached teaches readers about different attachments, how they’re developed, and how to heal from them. It’s a must-read whether you’re single, dating, divorced, or happily married.
Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman ($26.95, shop here)
Dr. John Gottman partnered with his wife, Julie Schwartz Gottman, to write this research-backed book about difficult topics like money, trust, sex, family, and spirituality. The good part? You’ll know how to discuss sensitive issues when you’re done reading. The bad part? Getting used to a healthy routine like this requires consistent practice.
I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships by Michael S. Sorensen ($14.99, shop here)
Most of us want a partner with good listening skills, and I Hear You teaches you how to use that powerful display of affection. With Sorenson’s help, you’ll better understand what your partner is saying in conversation and how to make them feel validated. By the end, you should know what it takes to be extraordinary together.