By John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman
Penguin Books, 2022. 178 pgs. Nonfiction
The authors have dedicated decades of research to prove that great relationships are founded on the small stuff. This short book teaches that there are seven small things, that if done often, can transform your relationships. The steps are: 1. Make Contact, 2. Ask a Big Question, 3. Say Thank You, 4. Give a Real Compliment, 5. Ask for What You Need, 6. Reach Out and Touch, 7. Declare a Date Night.
The Love Prescription distills the Gottman's life work into a bite-size, seven-day action plan with easy, immediately actionable steps. There will be no grand gestures and no big, hard conversations. There's nothing to buy or do to prepare. Anyone can do this, from any starting point.
I like that this book offered advice that felt doable. Sometimes relationship books suggest making changes that feel huge and overwhelming. The Gottmans encourage us to make small little changes, but to do them often and consistently. It also made me feel better that two people who have studied relationships almost their whole lives, are still making mistakes and learning how to do things better. They share stories from their own lives and couples from the Love Lab to help clarify the steps. I recommend this book to anyone who would like better relationships in their lives. They focus mostly on marriage relationships, but most of the concepts apply to any type of relationship.
If you like Love Prescriptions, you may also like:
By Nate & Kaley Klemp
Penguin Books, 2021. 218 pgs. Nonfiction
Often in marriage relationships, we feel that things need to be fair. The 80/80 Marriage pushes couples beyond the limited idea of "fairness" toward a new model grounded on radical generosity and shared success, one that calls for each partner to contribute 80 percent to build the strongest possible relationship.
By Gary Chapman
Northfield Pub, 2010. 202 pgs. Nonfiction
Dr. Chapman explains how people communicate love in different ways, and shares the wonderful things that happen when men and women learn to speak each other's language.
By Eli J. Finkel
Dutton, 2018. 329 pgs. Nonfiction
A psychology professor discusses his recent research into modern marriages and offers practical advice and long-term strategies to pursue self-discovery and personal growth and improve self-esteem along with your spouse so that happiness can thrive in your relationship.
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