Any recommendations on books about marriage?

Hi ladies,

Realising that our wedding is only 5 months away, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for books on marriage/the first year of marriage at all? I tend to use reading as a chance to reflect on things so would like to read some stuff before we are actually married!

Thanks!

Please don't buy any books by so called experts about marriage they always set people up to fail. Love each other as you do now, respect, listen, support and grow together. It's never going to be 'perfect', but that's what life is all about you are taking a leap of faith together by getting married so just enjoy the journey. xx

Make it The Conscious Bride by Sheryl Paul (nee Nissinen)

I am getting married in three weeks and would have been emotionally all over the place without it. It helps you understand and think through every aspect of becoming a wife. Great chapter called 'Why has everyone gone crazy?'

I respect Sonjayuk's view, but would probably say that I take a different approach. I'm all for using one's intuition and trusting one's instincts, but I believe that it's useful to learn from others at the same time. I think one of the reasons the divorce rate is so high is because people jump into marriage, as Elizabeth Gilbert says 'with all the planning and forethought of a labrador jumping into a swimming pool'...and just think their feelings will be enough to carry them through. Or for a different analogy - most people wouldn't get into a jumbo jet cockpit and assume they could just fly it successfully using your basic animal intelligence! It doesn't hurt to do a bit of reading around and learning about stuff I reckon.

The book also explores the symbolism associated with the day and how to make it meaningful for you. Great ideas for mindful, nourishing hen weekends too - mine was last week, with my closest girlies and my mum and gay ex-housemate, and has made me completely prepared for the day.

Highly recommended! All the best to you MrsNearlyMac, Sonjayuk, and anyone else getting married soon xx

My MOH - who got married last year - passed this book on to me: http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-One-Tells-Bride-Surviving/dp/078688262X

It's really good so far (reading all the engagement and pre-wedding stuff at the moment).