Books
The following books have been used in Pre-Marriage education, or recommended to us by married couples. Please let us know if a book not listed here has been valuable for your marriage.
 
Books
Cover ImageA Sense of Sexuality: Christian Love and Intimacy
Whitehead, Evelyn & James D. Doubleday, 1990
As psychologists and theologians, the Whiteheads bring a classic sensitivity and authority to an understanding of human sexuality as a gift from God.
Cover ImageGetting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples
Hendrix, Harville. Owl Books, 2001.
Hendrix created Imago Relationship Therapy, which combines depth psychology, cognitive therapy, and Gestalt therapy to help your love grow into a lasting relationship.
Cover ImageGod's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage
Christopher West
God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage is a new, supplemental marriage preparation program by renowned Catholic author and teacher Christopher West. Based on Pope John Paul II's revolutionary Theology of the Body and the book Good News About Sex & Marriage, this program has a two-fold goal: to present a summary of Catholic teaching on God's plan for marriage, and to offer engaged couples practical suggestions for embracing this plan in their own lives. The Holy Father teaches that human life's dignity and balance depends at every moment on ?who woman will be for man and who man will be for woman.? God's plan of life and love is literally stamped in our bodies. Here, you will find a much-needed testimony to the essential interrelation between love, life, and sexuality, and discover how a deep appreciation for this interrelation is the path to a blessed and joy-filled marriage. The Theology of the Body has been called "one of the boldest reconfigurations of Catholic Theology in centuries," according to George Weigel, the pope's official biographer. It addresses some of the most fundamental and important questions of human existence, including: Why were we created male and female? Where do we come from and why? What is the meaning of life? How do we experience it? Why is there evil in the world and how do we overcome it? The God's Plan workbook and the DVD series are perfect for Marriage Prep classes or for use as a supplement with an existing Pre-Cana program.
Cover ImageGood News about Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions
Christopher West, Charles J. Chaput
In his work as a diocesan director of marriage and family life, Christopher West has met many adults who ask about human sexuality and marriage. He says, "I have been confronted with widespread confusion about Catholic teaching and decided to respond in this book to the questions and objections I always meet". In Good News About Sex and Marriage he provides thoughtful responses that present church teaching in a fresh, appealing, and convincing manner. No other book addresses all the hard, personal, and nitty-gritty questions as thoroughly.
Cover ImageHis Needs, Her Needs
Dr Willard D. Harley
His Needs, Her Needs is designed to change the course of a marriage. Using a conversational style, Dr. Harley helps couples understand why their best intentions are not enough to prevent marital incompatibility. Couples must do more than want to meet each other's needs--they must actually meet them!
Cover ImageLove Busters
Dr. Willard F. Harley, Jr.
Love Busters are habits that destroy romantic love. They develop soon after marriage and, before long, destroy intimacy, safety, trust ... and romantic love.

Dr. Willard F. Harley, Jr., has shown couples how to create romantic love in his best seller, His Needs, Her Needs. But in Love Busters, he helps couples avoid losing romantic love by recognizing and overcoming thoughtless and selfish habits. These habits are common in every marriage and not only destroy romantic love, but also prevent couples from resolving their conflicts.
Cover ImageThe Marriage Book
Nicky and Sila Lee, Alpha International Publications
This book is full of practical advice and is designed to prepare, build and even mend marriages.
Cover ImageThe Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
Gottman, John M. and Silver, Nan. Three Rivers Press. 2000.
Using rigorous scientific procedures, Gottman has analyzed the habits of married couples for over 30 years. From this research he has synthesized seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious marriage.
Cover ImageThe Wisdom of the Body: Making Sense of Our Sexuality
Evelyn Eaton Whitehead, James D. Whitehead
An excellent book for a religious/spiritually minded person who is trying to make sense of their own sexual development...I would say you would need at least 25 years of life experience to fully appreciate the wisdom in this book.
Cover ImageTheology of the Body for Beginners
Christopher West
What is the "Theology of the Body"? According to Pope John Paul II, if we live according to the true meaning of our sexuality, we "fulfill the very meaning of [our] being and existence." The human body is a "theology" because it is meant to be a sign of God's own life and love in the world. With clarity and precision, Christopher West unpacks John Paul II's Theology of the Body, translating it into a language everyone can understand.
Cover ImageWhy Marriages Succeed or Fail…And How You Can Make Yours Last
Gottman, John M. Simon & Schuster, 1995.
Guides you through a series of self-tests to help you determine what kind of marriage you have, your strengths and weaknesses, and what actions you can take to help your marriage.