Building a Newlywed Library: Must-Have Books

There is tons of information out there on how to have the perfect marriage. Just drop by your local Barnes & Noble and you’ll find walls of books on relationships and sexuality. Wading through all of this information can leave us feeling like we’re drowning in sea of information. Not exactly encouraging if you genuinely want to read about how to build a lasting marriage.

Do not fear. I have compiled a mini-library on all things marriage. These books cover the three hardest areas for married couples to navigate. Get these books, read these books and use what you learned in these books as a guide towards a successful marriage.

Finances

If you haven’t heard the news yet, money is the number one reason married couples fight. There are plenty of reasons for this but the two biggest are lack of education about what to do with money and the inability to communicate about what you will do with said money. Dave Ramsey is a trusted name in the personal finance world and his book Total Money Makeover is a wonderful way to start the conversation about the hows, whats and whys regarding your married financial future

In-Laws

Marrying your fiancé means marrying his family as well. Depending on what your future in-laws are like, you’re either smiling or crying right now. It is so important that you and your new spouse draw healthy and clear boundary lines around your marriage from day one. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend have written the most comprehensive book on the topic. Boundaries: When to say yes, when to say no to take control of your life is a book every young couple should read. By identifying your boundaries early with your family and in-laws you will set yourself up for happy healthy relationships with everyone near and dear to both of you.

Sex

Marriage sex. It’s the bane of every married couple’s existence. One of the biggest fears couples worried about is whether sex will become non-existent or, worse, boring. And to be honest with you, it’s true. If you don’t pay attention, sex with your partner will become boring and lack the passion and intimacy it once held. I think every couple should pick up the Rosberg’s book The 5 Sex Needs of Men & Women. It isn’t so much about the physical aspect of sex, but the emotional needs that both sides bring to the table. This book is sure to start some great conversations about what you need in the bedroom.

Again, the odds say that you’ll deal with issues in one of these three areas during the course of your marriage. Investing in this mini-library is a great way to get prepared for a marriage that will last!

Pink Pro Marie is the founder of the Nashville Marriage Studio, where they help couples design the marriage of their dreams through counseling and workshops. Her expertise as a pre-marital counselor benefit brides and grooms as she shares tips on how-to best communicate with your will-be spouse and fight fair.