This week’s blog post is Part 1 of a 3-post series inspired by my sister-in-law (thanks Nousha) who has been my beloved book reading buddy. Part 1 is related to relationship book recommendations. Nousha and I frequently browse each other’s libraries and pick out a book or two to read, sometimes never to discuss again, but other times connect on some part of it. While at times these are not therapy related books (we love a good Colleen Hoover novel or historical fiction book), other times they are, and I thought it would be a great idea to compile some of my favorites into my blog posts for anyone else out there who may be looking for a new (and hopefully helpful) read!
My one ask is to please send me some of your favorites - I am always trying to build my reading list and sometimes browsing the book store can grow stale…THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Do Books Replace Therapy?
The answer to this is a hard no. Books can give a reader valuable insight; however, the activity of therapy allows you to share your personal experience externally which can give a whole new insight and support your growth. I recommend books from time to time to my clients either because I feel they may resonate with them in the season of life they are in presently, or because they have asked me for something to read in between our sessions that can reaffirm what we’ve been discussing. These book recommendations are all books I have personally read and have enjoyed. While this is not an exhaustive list by any means, I hope it can be a starting point for you, wherever you may be in your journey.
Relationship Book Recommendations
Wherever you may be in life (maybe you’re married, or have just recently separated, or are single and loving life), I’ve laid out my top 3 relationship related favorites here:
Note: For books on infidelity and breakups- feel free to reach out to me for recommendations because I have many that didn’t make this list (and because then this blog would be too long, and my editor would be annoyed).
Cinderella, You Bitch by Shannon Heth & Beau Nelson
This one’s a great read for anyone who feels trapped in the “fairytale” desire of having a picture-perfect relationship and wondering why that isn’t happening for them. This book is SO relatable and easy to read (and at times funny). I also found it helpful for anyone who is trying to break limiting beliefs, or challenging narratives from the past that maybe don’t apply to their situation anymore!
’Til Stress Do Us Part by Elizabeth Earnshaw
I just finished this one and LOVED it. For anyone that is a new mom, or struggling with stress in their relationship, this one’s a must read! Another highly relatable book, and one that totally tapped into many of the issues I see daily in my work with clients: how insidious and overwhelming stress can be for any relationship. The book also offers some helpful tips and tricks and strategies to try, which I love: mindfulness, communication tips, and challenging limiting beliefs are some that I have found are highly successful for most.
Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
Ok, I know what you may be thinking… this one is a book that EVERYONE was talking about at some point (I think I saw it come up probably 98349234 times when I had TikTok- more on why I deleted that app in another blog post). However, I do truly love this book. Attachment theory is something I discuss frequently in my work, and many of my clients (and I) have found it very helpful to identify one’s own attachment style, and that of their partners’. The book also includes an attachment questionnaire so that you can identify your attachment style (anxious, avoidant, secure, or a combo of a couple of these) and then breaks off into how these various attachment styles can impact our relationships with ourselves and others.
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