Several books have come across my desk in recent weeks that I’ve had a chance to take a peek at.  I love to read, but my face has been buried in textbooks more often than not with my return to school.  I thought I would pass along my thoughts on two books worth picking up and one that’s not worth the money.

Close Calls came out last year by Dave Carder who also wrote Torn Asunder. This is a very honest and relevant book that covers the topic of emotional and physical affairs. The book describes risk factors that contribute to potential pitfalls - family of origin, behavior patterns and stress factors.

The author writes: “There is one universal deficit in marriages that experience adultery - the loss of fun.”

He continues -

In order to have time for yourself, you have to steal it from your children.  Yes, you read that right!  Children are born narcissistic and egocentric, and they will take all the time, all the energy, all the money you have and still not be satisfied.  You can build great family memories with your children all there in one place, but you can only build a personal relationship between the two of you when you are alone with each other.  Having fun together will help prevent the close call of finding fun with someone else.

The second book that I’ve enjoyed is The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp.  The book is rather surprising and takes a different spin than what you might expect.  It is fun, has great tips and ideas, and brings Godly perspective into the picture.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise with this one by giving further detail.  However, the book is worth every penny if you want to rebuild romance with your husband.

The third book is called, I’d Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper - Loving Your Marriage After the Baby Carriage by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Noble.  I barely flipped my way through this one, and decided it’s not worth my time.  I understand this book was featured on Oprah (which I do not watch).  Honesty, it is pure garbage.  It is mean spirited, full of deceptive ideas, perpetuates lying to your spouse and has vulgarity in it. 

Two quotes from the book -

“I will try for ‘forever’, but if it doesn’t work, oh well.” 

“Contrary to popular belief, marriage is not about two people becoming one.”

 Don’t waste your money.