Required Reading For Engaged Couples

I’m often asked by engaged couples, “what books should I be reading to get ready for marriage?” Here are mine and my hubby Chris’s top reads.

1. The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller. Not your typical cheesy book on relationships. Keller depicts what a biblical marriage looks like. It is cleverly written citing statistics for illustrations.

2. The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman. People express love in different ways. This book teaches you to recognize your loved one’s love language (quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service). You’ll find these principles are helpful for your friends and family, too.

3. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Create a budget, eliminate debt with the debt snow ball, and accrue wealth.

4. Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Kevin Leman. ; Men, wait till after you say “I do” to read this one. ; Ladies, you can start reading it the week before your vows.

5. For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn.

6. For Women Only: What you Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn. This book shifted my paradigm on how I view all men, not just my husband. (A must read for single women).

Extra Credit for the Men: Wild at Heart Revised & Updated: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge. Not required for marriage, but good for understanding every man’s need to “kill their lion”.

Extra Credit for the Ladies: The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I have read this book over and over again. It has made a pivotal difference in my marriage to Chris. It’s divided into chapters for each topic of prayer. There’s a helpful study guide that cites the scriptures.