Topics such as love and relationships have inspired researchers for centuries. Books about love help us to understand and experience the most diverse aspects of this feeling: from pain to joy, from happiness to sorrow, from conflict to peace, from first sight to mature relationships. In this article, we have compiled the best books relating to love and relationships that have been loved by readers of all regions around the world and are still relevant to date. These are works that deliver us into the world of emotions, passion, and mutual understanding – the whole range of human feelings.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
Unique and science-based methods for improving personal relationships are the work of John Gottman, one of the world’s most renowned relationship experts. Gottman has built on decades of research and analysis of thousands of couples to find effective ways to strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and create healthy, strong relationships.
According to Gottman, emotional connection is key, as is understanding what your partner is going through and helping them through that. Practical advice for communicating and expressing feelings and resolving conflict, which greatly improve the quality of relationships, are offered.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
This book looks at the many ways people express and perceive love. Gary Chapman identifies five basic love languages: Affirmation, service, gift-giving, time, and physical touch. Knowing and exploiting what your partner’s love language is will help in communication, deepening of emotional connection, and your relationship.
Taking care of each other’s health, including family planning, is an important part of a relationship. For example, a female fertility test can help couples better understand their reproductive options and plan for the future, which also strengthens relationships.
Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel
In this groundbreaking new book, bestselling psychotherapist Esther Perel shines a light on what she calls ‘the curiously private, yet deeply public problem’ of desiring one’s partner while living under the same roof. Perel investigates the vagaries of keeping love and erotic excitement alive in a committed relationship, defying not only the conventional wisdom that familiarity inevitably dims the spice of sexual attraction but also suggesting that the traditional notion – that however absurd and extreme the venture, long-term monogamy requires effort – is mistaken.
In her fresh, practical, and insightful approach, she shares real-life case studies to help readers rekindle desire, stay connected, and take pleasure in the mystery of their relationships. ‘Mating in Captivity’ provides a new approach to the idea of intimacy, advising couples to reconcile the fantasies that build excitement in a relationship with the security that keeps couples safe.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
‘Daring Greatly’ examines the staggering power of vulnerability by looking at Brené Brown’s life as well as other messily human experiences. Drawing on years of research, Brown dissolves the myth that vulnerability is being weak and that a courageous person is one who doesn’t need to expose the vulnerability he has inside him.
Through powerful storytelling and practical application, she shows how vulnerability is the most powerful mechanism to catapult you into deeper love, creativity, and connection. The book says, to ‘dare greatly’ take risks, and be vulnerable to what presents itself to you.
Attached: New Science of Adult Attachment by Amir Levine
In this primarily insightful book, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel S.F. Heller lead us into the science of adult attachment and its bearing on relationships. Additionally, they represent three types of attachment styles (secure, anxious, and avoidant) with the effects these types have on our interpersonal relationships in romantic partnerships.
The authors help readers create better, more rewarding relationships by identifying for the reader their attachment style, and that of their partner. “Attached” mixes scientific research with real-world examples and provides a nice guide to tackling your relationship in a scientific way for the non-scientist.
Conclusion
Love and relationships are a constant theme in the world of literature, and have been an ever resonant theme in the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world and generations. And they remind us that love is three-dimensional and requires work, understanding, and vulnerability. From deepening your emotional connection to guidance and inspiration across the complexities of attachment or just relaxing to a beautiful love story, these timeless works will be a guide and an inspiration for every point in your love journey.
Markus lives in San Francisco, California and is the video game and audio expert on Good e-Reader! He has a huge interest in new e-readers and tablets, and gaming.
