Have you read a good book lately?

Have you read a good book lately?  I’ve read a lot of them in the past three decades.

 On August 23^rd, I will have been married 30 years.  Like I have heard my Mother say before me, “It doesn’t seem possible!”  Time really does fly!  I was 19 when I got married and my Mother was 19 when she got married and I am praying Zoe will not want to get married at 19.  It sounds so young.  (Well, actually, it is young!)

 One helpful thing I have done over the years is to read books on relationships.  I have read marriage books, parenting books, personality books, love language books, friendship books, communication books, boundary issue books, leadership books and books on church relationships.  There really are so many good books to help us understand ourselves and others.

 I love Florence Littauer’s books on personalities such as,”Personality Plus.”  Here is one thing she wrote about the “popular Sanguine,” Pay attention…try to take note of where you left your car and your child.”  If you have sanguine friends, you will think this is funny.  Littauer is full of great stories on all of the personality types.

 “The Friendships of Women,” by Dee Brestin really helped me understand the relationships of women. (Well, at least it helped.)

 “You Just Don’t Understand” by Deborah Tannen is a secular book about men and women in conversation.  This is a book with a few words I don’t want my kids to read.  Tannen is a linguist and talks about things like “rapport talk and report talk” and other fascinating subjects like, “I’ll fix it for you if it kills me!”   She almost makes me want to be a linguist.

 “Boundaries” is another classic book on healthy relationships. 

 Whatever you do, every now and then, pick up a book on relationships.  I think it is healthy and I know books like the ones I’ve mentioned have helped me in theses 30 years of marriage. (Probably more than I know)

 We will be giving away the book by Gary Chapman, “God speaks your Love Language,” to the first person commenting on this blog.

I hope it will be helpful in your most important relationship!

 Blessings,

Thora