1. The Mystery of Marriage - Mike Mason

One of the most beautiful and moving books I’ve ever read. I was blessed to discover this book about two years before my own marriage, and it profoundly shaped my vision of what a marriage can be. In a world that often tries to domesticate marriage by promoting a lifestyle of subtle resignation, safe investments and limited liabilities, Mason unabashedly reminds us of the titanic implications and glorious possibilities in marriage and calls us to wholeheartedly abandon ourselves to the adventure—in all of its wonder and agony.
 
2. The Meaning of Marriage - Tim Keller
The best theology of marriage I’ve ever read. This is the book I use when walking with couples through pre-marital counseling. Keller is especially good at highlighting our cultural blind spots, and pointing us to the beautiful, yet countercultural, vision of marriage to which the Gospel calls us.   

3. The Marriage Book - Nicky Lee
Chock-full of practical wisdom. I gleaned much from this book in the early years of my own
marriage.
 
4. The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman
Sometimes the answers to our marital struggles are surprisingly simple. We’ve all had those Homer Simpson moments: ‘D’oh! How did I miss something so obvious?’ This easy and engaging read offers a simple paradigm and a straightforward question to benefit almost any marriage. ‘Do I really know the love language of my spouse?’
 
5. Love and War - John and Stasi Eldredge
If you’ve ever felt like your marriage was a battlefield, an arena for spiritual warfare, this is the book for you! In this remarkably transparent reflection on the common conflicts fought in and around marriage, the Eldredges offer a needed perspective and helpful tools to fight the good fight of faith for the one we love.

​

6. Created for Connection - Susan Johnson
An excellent introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most intuitive and fruitful approaches to marital healing and growth I’ve seen.  The premise is simple – made in the image of God, we all have a tremendous need for emotional connection and love—and yet—many of us don’t have a clue how to truly connect.  While conventional therapies tend to focus on good communication and listening skills (which are important) - Johnson raises an even deeper question - how do I actually connect to the heart of my spouse?
 
7. Unwanted - Jay Stringer
For any who struggle with unwanted sexual temptations and tendencies, Stringer provides a startlingly fresh approach. Rather than seeking to ignore or stifle these unwanted impulses, Stringer suggests that our sexual struggles are often important clues to the wounded landscapes of our souls. The key to sexual purity (and healing) is thus not simply iron-clad willpower, but rather, courageous curiosity anchored in Gospel hope.

8. Fill These Hearts - Christopher West
A fun and almost-certainly-surprising reflection on human sexuality by one of Roman
Catholicism’s most popular expositors of John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body.’ West suggests that our sexual desires, rather than something to be managed or repressed, are actually signposts meant to guide us toward the all-satisfying the love of God. We may not agree with all of West’s conclusions, but his suggestions are well worth our time and wrestling.