Recommended Reading

Recommended books on Marriage and Communication/Conflict Resolution.  

A Lasting Promise:  A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage* by Scott Stanley, Daniel Trathen, Savanna McCain, Milt Bryan
This book is written based on research in the field of marriage and from a Christian perspective.  It gives some sound guidance on communication problems and solutions in marriage.

Divorce Busting by Michelle Weiner-Davis*  
This book focuses on helping couples find solutions and the strength of their marriage using a theoretical approach called Solution-Focused Therapy.  Can be helpful resource for couples to shift the focus of attention and perspective in relation to their spouse from the negative to the positive.

The Exceptional Seven Percent by Gregory Popcak
Gives very sound advice in keeping with the Catholic faith for couples struggling in their marriage or wanting to stave off problems.  Mr. Popcak draws on research in the field of marital communication and relationships.

 
For Better... Forever:  Catholic Guide to Lifelong Marriage  by Gregory Popcak
Another book offering practical tips in improving your married life together.  

Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work  by John Gottman, PhD
Dr. Gottman is one of the foremost researchers in the field of marriage.  Although this book is not written from a Catholic perspective, it offers useful principles based on years of research into the lives of thousands of couples.  In recommending this book, I must make a cautionary statement about other research Dr. Gottman has done in the field of homosexual relationships.  Be aware that his website or other books by him may not be in line with Catholic teaching.    

Sex and the Sacred City  by Steven Kellmeyer
A great book on the Theology of the Body and marriage.  This book is written as a study guide and can be a very useful resource for spouses to read together in understanding how the Theology of the Body can be applied to your own marriage.

 

Theology of the Body for Beginners  by Christopher West
If you want to take your marriage to the next level, I strongly recommend you learn about the late Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.  This is the book to read if you know little about the Theology of the Body.  Christopher West gives a wonderful synthesis of this theology that is easy to understand and apply to married life.