Valentine's Books @ SHPC, as listed in the February 2007 newsletter ...
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
A seasoned marriage counselor says people feel most loved in a marriage in one of five ways: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Though we have a primary love language, we can learn a second language so that our spouse's needs are met. It's all about giving a little here and there, and accepting that our spouse's preferred channel may be different from ours. Though the author's life work is based on Christian principles, his ideas and personal style will resonate with people of all faiths and levels of involvement in organized religion. Whether your marriage needs a tune-up or a major overhaul, these are powerful prescriptions delivered by a genial, wise man.
Relationships
This is a book on relationships, not just marriage. Les and Leslie Parrott explore relationships from marriage to friendship. Important insights and information for taking relationships to a more satisfying level.
Making Love Last Forever
Gary Smalley is a Christian author worth finding. According to Smalley, the foundation of lasting love is falling in love with life itself. In the the book, he explores principles for resolving anger, balancing expectations and reality and avoiding hurt. He also offers a set of "forever-love" principles designed to help married couples improve their relationships. Some of the principles Smalley includes as essential ingredients for lasting love are better communication, understanding a spouse's personality type and using conflict to foster intimacy.
Winning Your Wife Back Before It's Too Late: Whether She's Left Physically Or Emotionally, All That Matters Is...
This is a great book for those whose marriage is in trouble. I have shared it with many people who are committed to their marriage but find themselves in a broken relationship.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
Gottman has used rigorous scientific procedures to observe the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over many years. His result? The seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. This is not a “faith based” book but contains practical insights that will help build your marriage. It is also packed with practical questionnaires and exercises.
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last
This book, also by John Gottman, guides you through a series of self-tests designed to help you determine what kind of marriage you have, where your strengths and weaknesses are, and what specific actions you can take to help your marriage. Dr. Gottman tells you how to recognize attitudes that doom a marriage — contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling — and provides practical exercises, quizzes, tips, and techniques that will help you understand and make the most of your relationship.
