FaithWords, an imprint of Hachette Book Group USA, has released two excellent books on marriage this fall. These books are suitable for every married couple that wants to stay married.
The First Five Years, by Bill and Pam Farrel, is divided into four sections. The first part deals with starting your relationship. Although it contains the first four chapters of the book, I feel chapter two, entitled “Men and Women Are Different—Accept It!” left the biggest impact on me. I grew up when “unisex” was all the rage. We weren’t being told how men and women were different; we were being taught that we were basically the same. If you are from my generation, this chapter will help you appreciate the differences. It might even save your marriage if you remember that “men need simplicity” and “women need to feel loved” among other tidbits.
Part two is devoted to six chapters about sex. One discusses what is called “satisfying sex”. Then two chapters are devoted to what men want and what women want. The final chapter discusses how to guard the gift of married sex.
“Figure it Out” is the subject of part three. Here you will learn how to make a home, create an intimate marriage, and survive when children arrive. The final part (4) claims to have the secret for long-lasting love. You’ll learn about meeting each others needs, being tender or tough as needed and constructive conflict. According to the authors, you will have a life-long marriage if you learn the things in this book.
Recommendation: I feel this book could have been a bit stronger in showing you what God’s viewpoint is. This is a book that should make you think about your marriage as it currently exists. If you study “The Gift” at the end of the chapter, I believe both husbands and wives will learn what they can do to make their marriage stronger.
Douglas Weiss, PhD is the author of The Ten-Minute Marriage Principle. He claims it takes about ten minutes a day for a couple to rescue or just strengthen their marriage. Thirteen chapters are dedicated to various situations faced by married couples. He shows how his Ten-Minute Marriage Principle works by giving practical examples from his counseling experience.
Recommendation
I am left with the feeling that this is just too simple. I can’t imagine a newly married couple spending just ten minutes a day in making their marriage work. Perhaps those who have been married for years will find this book a helpful reminder of the things they need to focus on to keep their relationship fresh.
