I have been asked by a friend to recommend a book for him and his fiancé that would be good for them to read as they prepare for their first year of marriage. That’s an interesting question which I would like others to weigh in on. I have certain books I recommend for marriage, but have not thought about any that would be particularly helpful in the early going. (For me, my first year of marriage was ⅓ of a century ago.)
Any suggestions?
Seth Greenwald
Amy says for them to read “For Women Only” and “For Men Only” by Shaunti Feldhann. I say to read “Go Dog Go” by Dr. Seuss. It reminds us to always like the hat.
Randy Greenwald
Actually, all three are great suggestions!
chrisinnm
I really like Paul Tripp’s book, What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage which you can see here: http://www.amazon.com/What-Did-You-Expect-Redeeming/dp/1433511762
It is winsome and gospel-saturated about the realities versus the dream. Excellent for the early years.
Stephanie
I agree with the Tripp suggestion. I know that’s surprising.
Staci Thomas
Marriage Builder, by Larry Crabb
What Did You Expect?, by Paul Tripp
Love and Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs (some helpful stuff in here, though I wasn’t 100% sold on the entire thing)
Lost in the Middle, by Paul Tripp (great stuff in here, helpful to marriage)
and
Tim Keller’s new book on marriage is being released November 1st!
David F. Ridenhour
I concur with everything Staci recommended. As usual, my bibliophile friend is more on top of the reading list than I…
Randy Greenwald
Don’t you mean ‘biblio-holic’ friend? 🙂
Rebecca
having recently walked down this path there are 3 books that we read that were very helpful in forming a Biblical view of marriage and each other:
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (one to read and re-read)
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
Each for the Other by Bryan and Kathy Chapell
while Jon and I decided in the end to not get married, all three of these books helped us to view our relationship and God in a much more Biblical light and challenged us to truly love each other with the love of Christ.
Adri
We agree with Chris and Staci re Paul Tripp; we watched the video series, and have passed it on/recommended it to others.
–ae
Geoff Henderson
Intimate Allies was solid. I think Allender wrote it. I actually read it before I got myself hitched though.