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Relationships are a huge factor in life. There are relationships between all kinds of people all over the world. Relationships often lead to life-long, whether they are marriage or otherwise. While not everyone falls in love and committs to one person for their lives, there are many other kinds of relationships. People have relationships with their families, friends, co-workers. People can even have relationships with the people they encounter in the street, or at a coffee shop. The best relationships are those that never truly go away. They are always there. They love unconditionally.
What are the Best Relationships Books to read?
Finding these relationships can be easy, but maintaing them isn’t. Relationships are work. They take time. They require effort and work. They can be managed, though. The book listed below will help everyone acheive a great balance with every relationship in their lives, from their barista to their husband.
Best Relationships Books: Our Top 20 Picks
Here are some of the best relationships books that you can consider to expand your knowledge on the subject:
1. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
Love is the most common language. There is love in every country, and it comes in all forms. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman discusses how difficult it is to stay in love. Chapman teaches readers how to make the most of every relationship. Every relationship has its challenges. There are often conflicts with schedules, work, kids, and life. Even the boredom of everyday life can cause problems in a relationship. Chapman talks about different levels of relationships. They can be failing, or at their strongest, and still have the potential to blossom more. This is a practical guide for understanding the relationships in one’s life, and improving them with the help of love languages and communication.
- Authors: Gary Chapman (Author)
- Publisher: Northfield Publishing; Reprint Edition (January 1, 2015)
- Pages: 208 pages
2. Verbally Abusive Relationship
Not every relationship is a keeper. Some relationships are built on manipulation and deceit, instead of love and kindness. The most important step in getting out of a manipulative relationship is identifying it. Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans is a book that analyzes verbal abuse. Evans helps those who are in these relationships identify what is happening, and get out safely. Physical abuse is well-known, but few consider how detrimental verbal abuse can be, too. Readers will learn how to understand the levels of abuse and characteristics that make up them. She also includes scripts and situations that will help readers easily identify these kinds of relationships. This book is meant to help readers identify verbal use in their own relationship, but it can also help them identify it in other relationships. By reading this book, people will become more well-informed on the dangers of verbal abuse, and putting a stop to it quickly and safely.
- Authors: Patricia Evans (Author)
- Publisher: Adams Media; Third Edition (January 18, 2010)
- Pages: 240 pages
3. I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships
The most important skill in any relationship, arguably, is communication. Couples need to know how to communicate effectively and appropriately listen to each other. I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships by Michael S. Sorenson stresses the importance of communication in all relationships. Communication is important, of course, but how does a couple communicate in the right way? Sorenson discusses the best tips for efficiently talking to one’s partner. He lists skills that will help communication run smoothly. Some of these tips are: be calm; increase feelings of love when talking;try to resolve fights quickly, or prevent them; give worthy advice and feedback, and; understand and welcome one’s partner’s point of view. These tips are interesting, and worth reading about. This book is fairly easy to follow, and it’s enjoyable to read.
- Authors: Michael S. Sorensen (Author)
- Publisher: Autumn Creek Press (July 24, 2017)
- Pages: 148 pages
4. The Secret Language of Relationships: Your Complete Personology Guide to Any Relationship with Anyone
Romantic relationships are important and often the ones that people most focus on, but there are so many other relationships in life. Every relationship needs love, kindness, time, and effort. The Secret Language of Relationships: Your Complete Personology Guide to Any Relationship with Anyone by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers is a book that tackles every aspect of every relationship with the help of astrology. This book is actually a companion book to The Secret Language of Birthdays, The Secret Language of Relationships. This book analyzes how astrology intervenes with the people others are attracted to. Each sign has a personality type they are drawn to. Astrology has a large effect on relationships that one would think. By reading this book, readers will understand just how much of their lives is affected by astrology, and how they can learn more about it. This book is very interesting, but it’s best for people who believe in astrology.
- Authors: Gary Goldschneider (Author), Joost Elffers (Author)
- Publisher: Avery; Reprint Edition (October 31, 2013)
- Pages: 832 pages
5. How to be an Adult in a Relationship: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving
Relationships and love are an inevitable part of life. For some, it comes sooner than others. Ultimately, however, those who choose to be in a relationship have a lot to overcome. Love does not make a relationship work; putting in time and effort does. How to be an Adult in a Relationship: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo teaches readers how to be mindful in their relationships, and make them last. This book has five keys to finding mindful love. Those keys are: Attention, particularly to the moment; Acceptance, accepting ourselves and each other; Appreciation, appreciation life, friendship and everything one has; Affection, showing affection through all parts of life, and; Allow, which is essentially the idea that to be loved, one has to allow love in. This book is straight to the point, easy to read, and a great read for all relationships.
- Authors: David Richo (Author), Kathlyn Hendricks (Foreword)
- Publisher: Shambhala; 1st Edition (June 18, 2002)
- Pages: 272 pages
6. Relationship Rescue: A Seven-Step Strategy for Reconnecting with Your Partner
Relationship struggles are nothing to be ashamed of. Love isn’t always what keeps a relationship together. Sometimes life interferes. Relationship Rescue: A Seven-Step Strategy for Reconnecting with Your Partner by Phillip C. McGraw (Dr.Phil) is a book that discusses how to manage relationships, as well as debunks myths. Some of the myths Dr.Phil debunks are: “a great relationship depends on a great meeting of the minds,” “a great relationship lets you vent all your feelings,” “a great relationship has nothing to do with sex.” Relationships that are on the brink of splitting should consult this book. Dr.Phil has great advice and ideas for mending cracks in relationships. This guide feels honest, and refreshing. Dr. Phil does not tiptoe around marriage problems; it confronts them straight on.
- Authors: Phillip C. McGraw PhD (Author)
- Publisher: Hachette Books; Reprint Edition (September 19, 2001)
- Pages: 302 pages
7. Relationship Cure
Relationships can be good on their own, but with a little work, they can all be great. Relationship Cure by John M. Gottman is a great guide for maintaining and strengthening relationships. There are five steps for making the most of all relationships in life. Gottman discusses how there are key elements of healthy relationships. This book shows, and tells. It is full of exercises and questionnaires so readers can partake in activities right when they begin reading. This book is simple, sure, but it is relatable. Gottman made this book easy to read, and easy to follow. Relationship Cure is not a book that makes couples analyze and decipher exactly what is wrong with their relationship. The book simply teaches them how to address problems, and “cure them.”
- Authors: John Gottman (Author)
- Publisher: Harmony; Reprint Edition (June 25, 2002)
- Pages: 336 pages
8. Relationships: A Mess Worth Making
Relationships are so special, especially to those who are in them. But they aren’t always clean and put together. Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim S. Lane discusses all aspects of all relationships in life. It doesn’t just tackle romantic relationships, but also familial relationships and friendships. However, this book has a strong religious element to it. Lane suggests that, in order to make one’s relationships stronger, they must consult God. By following simple Christian values, anyone can help their relationships flourish instead of suffer. This book does have a lot of great tips, techniques, and advice. It is interesting and easy to read. That being said, it really is biased to Christians and religious people. The book discusses the importance of Christian values, and having relationships that come from the heart.
- Authors: Tim S. Lane (Author)
- Publisher: New Growth Press; 1st Edition (January 1, 2006)
- Pages: 177 pages
9. Mindful Relationship Habits: 25 Practices for Couples to Enhance Intimacy, Nurture Closeness, and Grow a Deeper Connection
Every great relationship needs a few simple things. One of those things is a routine, or rather good habits that those in the relationship know to follow. Mindful Relationship Habits: 25 Practices for Couples to Enhance Intimacy, Nurture Closeness, and Grow a Deeper Connection by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport don’t teach readers to have successful relationships, but they do share 25 tips for those couples. This book focuses on “keeping the spark alive.” Those in a relationship should be intentional about the choices they make. Their habits should be strong, and worthwhile. Habits make up a relationship. This book does a great job of discussing the great times in relationships, as well as the hard times. The authors help teachers figure out how to take a functional relationship and turn it into a powerful one.
- Authors: S.J. Scott (Author), Barrie Davenport (Author)
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 2, 2018)
- Pages: 280 pages
10. 201 Relationship Questions: The Couple’s Guide to Building Trust and Emotional Intimacy
With every relationship comes questions. Often, these questions are what breaks a couple, or makes them flourish. 201 Relationship Questions: The Couple’s Guide to Building Trust and Emotional Intimacy by Barrie Davenport discusses some of the most common relationship questions for getting to know, and respect, one’s partner.. In addition to writing this book, Davenport is a relationship counselor. He knows the right questions to ask to get couples to address their problems and own up to them. A few of these questions are: “Do I do anything to make you feel disrespected?” , “What should I never say to you, even in anger?”, “What does unconditional love mean to you?”. These are questions couples should ask each other to become stronger, and understand each other more. These questions can help any relationship. They help couples take their relationship to the next level, no matter how long they’ve been together.
- Authors: Barrie Davenport (Author)
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 3, 2015)
- Pages: 181 pages
11. The Seven Secrets to Healthy, Happy Relationships
The Seven Secrets to Healthy, Happy Relationships by Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., and Heather Ash Amara is an easy to follow guide to maintaining quality relationships. The seven secrets in this book are easy to follow, and interesting. Couples who are willing to do the work will love this book. There are only seven tips to follow. That is it. This book is simple, yet interesting. It doesn’t lie and say that many couples have to spend hours a day working on their relationship. They don’t. They simply have to want to put in the time. The authors of this book say the secret to maintaining their relationship is: freedom, awareness, commitment, communication, joy, healing, awareness, and release. The authors want readers to not only know these practices, but put them to use. This book is quite interesting, and super easy to follow and implement.
- Authors: don Miguel Ruiz Jr. (Author), HeatherAsh Amara (Author)
- Publisher: Hierophant Publishing (October 22, 2018)
- Pages: 272 pages
12. No More Fighting: The Relationship Book for Couples: 20 Minutes a Week to a Stronger Relationship
No More Fighting: The Relationship Book for Couples: 20 Minutes a Week to a Stronger Relationship by Alicia Munoz is a book that is easy to follow and implement in one’s life. Munoz gives couples strategies to stop fighting, and keep loving each other. The benefits of this book is that it helps readers listen and communicate with each other. The book is full of 20 minutes exercises that will help couples go stronger togethers. These exercises only need to be done once a week. In addition to these exercises, this book tackles 52 relationship challenges and how to appropriately find solutions to them. Munoz truly helps readers with this book. She offers advice, and solutions to common problems couples often face in their relationship.
- Authors: Alicia Muñoz LPC (Author)
- Publisher: Zephyros Press; Illustrated Edition (December 4, 2018)
- Pages: 286 pages
13. Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends
Some relationships end and that is that. Others want to work on them. They want things to get better. Those who want to do that should consult Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends by Bruce Fisher and Robert Alberti. This book is on its fourth edition. It has lots of great updated information for helping relationships thrive. In this book, Fisher discusses his “divorce process rebuilding blocks.” This is a nineteen step concept that helps reunite couples following a big split, or divorce. This approach is one of the most universally-acknowledged for healing divorces. Because this book is on its fourth edition, it has some new information. This edition includes opinions and revisions from Alberti, who is a marriage and family therapist. His expertise gives this book the extra edge it needs to appeal to readers, and stand out among other relationship books.
- Authors: Bruce Fisher EdD (Author), Robert Alberti PhD (Author), Virginia M. Satir (Foreword)
- Publisher: Impact; Fourth Edition (November 1, 2016)
- Pages: 328 pages
14. Astrology For Real Relationships
Astrology is the study of celestial bodies such as stars, and how they relate to horoscopes. Astrology can help determine major life events, as well as relationships, both romantic and platonic. Astrology for Real Relationships by Jessica Lanyadoo relates astrology to the various relationships in life. This book covers every topic. It covers topics like: attraction, frenemies, sex, dating, self-love and family relationships. Lanyadoo also explains how one can use astrology to have difficult conversations— conversations with bosses, spouses, crushes, family members, anyone else important in a person’s life. Not only is this an interesting take on astrology and relationships… it’s also a very interesting read. Instead of reading like a “how to better your relationship book,” it simply reads as a fun, yet informative, book on stars, love, and horoscopes.
- Authors: Jessica Lanyadoo (Author), T. Greenaway (Author)
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press (December 31, 2019)
- Pages: 256 pages
15. Relationship Workbook for Couples: A Guide to Deeper Connection, Trust, and Intimacy for Couples – Young and Old
Relationship Workbook for Couples: A Guide to Deeper Connection, Trust, and Intimacy for Couples- Young and Old by Rachel Stone is a wonderful workbook that teaches couples a number of techniques for building strength in their relationships. This is a book for couples of all ages, and levels. The fundamentals of a great relationship are discussed in this book– communication is number one. These tools teach couples how to navigate their personal lives. Couples’ therapy isn’t always affordable. That being said, this book serves the same purpose. It may not be couple’s therapy, but it has a lot of the same advice, techniques, and exercises. Included in this book are quizzes, questionnaires, and activities that couples can use, and connect with. This book helps couples listen and communicate better, and maintain the love in their relationship.
- Authors: Rachel Stone (Author)
- Publisher: Independently published (April 1, 2019)
- Pages: 182 pages
16. The Relationship Handbook: A Simple Guide to Satisfying Relationships – Anniversary Edition
The key to any relationship is keeping up with it. Couples can write their own desires of what should come from a relationship, and frequently discuss their relationship, but the best step to keeping the love is consulting an expert. The Relationship Handbook: A Simple Guide to Satisfying Relationships by Dr. George Pranksy is a book that acts as a relationship expert. This book is on its anniversary edition, so it’s been fairly successful in the past. Dr. Prankster tries to avoid having couples “work” on their relationships. Instead, he wants them to start fresh. Couples in troubles shouldn’t focus on aiding their current problems; they should start on a new foot. They should begin with the honeymoon phase. This book turns the advice of other relationship experts upside down. Readers will look at their relationships differently after reading this book. Their big problems will begin to seem miniscule. This is an easy to read book, with a very interesting concept.
- Authors: Dr. George Pransky Ph.D. (Author)
- Publisher: Pransky & Associates; Anniversary Edition (May 2, 2017)
- Pages: 244 pages
17. Healing from a Narcissistic Relationship: A Caretaker’s Guide to Recovery, Empowerment, and Transformation
Identifying a narcissist can be challenging. Many narcissists have mastered the art of feigning emotions. They know what to say and when to say it to pretend like they care. It is difficult enough to deal with narcissists in simple aspects of life… but what happens when someone dates one? Healing from a Narcissistic Relationship: A Caretaker’s Guide to Recovery, Empowerment, and Transformation by Margalis Fjelstad helps those who have been in relationships like these recover. Because the narcissist is in fact a narcissist, they may not be as heavily affected as the other partner. The partner, however, has to fully commit to the grief process. They have to want to move on, no matter how long it takes. Fjelstad helps them do that with the help of her advice, and with this book. With this book, readers will learn how to reignite their self-esteem and heal themselves. This is a great read for those who need to find themselves after a bad relationship.
- Authors: Margalis Fjelstad (Author)
- Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (May 5, 2017)
- Pages: 254 pages
18. Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners
Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners by Kristin Van Marter Souers and Pete Hall has many practices for couples to try and implement in their lives. The advice in this book falls under three core values: relationship, responsibility, and regulation. The authors of this book discuss experiences and interviews they’ve had with other families and couples. They use their findings to discuss a to explain a number of ideas. Some of these ideas they discuss their work on are: creating a culture of safety, identifying the four areas of need that drive a relationship– relational, physical, emotional, and control, finding interventions to support families and students, and offering opportunities for ideas that might not always agree with one’s beliefs. This book is great for everyone, but it’s particularly great for educators.\
- Authors: Kristin Van Marter Souers (Author), Pete Hall (Author)
- Publisher: ASCD (December 12, 2018)
- Pages: 206 pages
19. The Intentional Relationship: Occupational Therapy and Use of Self
The Intentional Relationship: Occupational Therapy and Use of Self by Renee R. Taylor is a book that focuses on the importance of communication in a relationship. One of the main ideas are the, “six easy-to-apply-modes of communication”. These six modes are: collaboration, advocacy, encouragement, problem solving, instruction, and empathization. Taylor uses research with this book, too. She has case studies on relationships, and she reported her findings in this book. This book has a lot of great information on relationships, but it’s also great for teaching. In addition to the great case studies and modes this book has, it also has exercises, assessments, and practice models that help the readers better understand the book’s contents. This is an easy read that is great for everyone, relationship or not.
- Authors: Renee R. Taylor PhD (Author)
- Publisher: F.A. Davis Company; 1st Edition (January 7, 2008)
- Pages: 480 pages
20. Intimate Relationships
The world of dating has changed. The most popular way to meet someone now is through dating apps, like: bumble, tinder, okcupid, hinge, and more. Modern relationships are complicated, and can be quite stressful and frustrating. Intimate Relationships by Thomas N. Bradbury and Benjamin R. Karney helps people navigate modern dating life. This book is currently on its third edition. This edition focuses on the technological side of dating. Dating apps are huge, but so is communication through social media. Couples don’t just call each other on a phone and have a chat. They can message each other on instagram, facebook, snapchat, and even linkedin. The added pressure of sexting can make communication even harder. This book analyzes dating in a modern age and discusses how couples have embraced the changes romance has endured.
- Authors: Thomas N. Bradbury (Author), Benjamin R. Karney (Author)
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Third Edition (July 1, 2019)
- Pages: 680 pages
Choosing the Best Relationships Books
These relationship books will help anyone find, keep, and maintain their relationships. Relationships are part of life, and they are not going anywhere. Instead of fighting relationships, learn to adapt. Love is what makes the world go round. It doesn’t even have to be romantic love. Platonic love makes the world go round, too. With all great pleasure, comes great responsibility. Everyone needs to put in the work, and with the help of these books… they can.
