For Couples

7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman & Nan Silver

The Gottman Institute leads the field in research of couples and intimate partner relationships. This book summarizes many of their findings and offers tools, warning signs to look out for, and prompts for couples to be curious together.

We Do: Saying Yes to a Relationship of Depth, True Connection, and Enduring Love by Stan Tatkin

From the founder of the PACT Institute, this book explains the impact of attachment on relationship quality. Many of the concepts are similar to Gottman’s 7 Principles, although this book may be a good read for blended families as it has some discussion of step-parenting.

Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson

From the founder of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), this book explores ways for couples to deepen their emotional bond and navigate the emotional spectrum in healthy ways.

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find-and Keep- Love by Amir Levine & Rachel S. F. Heller

This book explains Attachment theory and the various styles of attachment, as well as the human need for connection. The quizzes can help people better understand patterns that emerge in their relationships and how to best navigate their and their partner’s attachment styles.

Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman

In this book, Chapman outlines five categories of how people give and receive love, and explains how understanding love languages can help people work smarter, not just harder, when connecting with the people they love.

Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky

This book explores the division of labor in households and provides a system for breaking tasks down into categories and then assigning them to individuals. It can help couples better understand “invisible” labor, the mental load, and how to create sustainability through an iterative process.

Sexual Intelligence: What We Really Want from Sex-and How to Get It by Marty Klein

Not a book on Kamasutra or sex positions! This book helps couples expand their mindsets of what it means to be sexually authentic, satisfied, and connected.

For Parents

And Baby Makes Three: the Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance After Baby Arrives by John and Julie Gottman

This book explores the importance of maintaining relationship satisfaction not just for new parents, but for the sake of the entire family unit. They separate “masters” from “disasters” with research backed principles and exercises to help partners avoid the common pitfalls of parenthood.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

A practical and effective guide for family communication skills. This book provides approachable examples and tools for parents to better connect with their kiddos.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson

An accessible guide to the neuroscience of childhood emotional and intellectual development to help parents understand their children’s thoughts and feelings.

Other Resources

Self-Compassion: the Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

This book details the three elements of self-compassion (self-kindness, recognizing our common humanity, and mindfulness) and their benefits.

The Art of Gathering: Why We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

A great read for couples planning a life event such as a wedding or baby shower! This book helps people identify what is important about bringing people together and how to do so in meaningful ways.

Choose Wonder Over Worry: Move Beyond Fear and Doubt to Unlock Your Full Potential by Amber Rae

An invitation to live an empowered and authentic life, this book guides readers to practice accepting their worth and share their unique gifts with the world.