Regardless of your relationship status, it doesn’t take an expert to know that building and maintaining relationships, platonic or romantic, can be challenging. It’s why couples’ therapists and relationship experts have been studying and writing relationship books (and articles—have you seen our relationships section on the site?) on the subject for decades. Despite everything we think we know to be true about relationships, though, the fact is that everyone can use some guidance now and again.
If you’re the kind of person whose method of problem solving involves cracking open a new book and doing some homework, then you probably already know that the pickings for relationship books are vast, to say the least. Which is why we asked couples therapists to share their best relationship book recommendations.
- Erica Turner, LPC, relationship therapist and dating coach
- Genesis Games, LMHC, couples therapist and owner of Healing Connections
- Jeffrey B. Rubin, Ph.D, PhD
- Jordana Jacobs PhD, Psychotherapy, PhD
Even if you’ve never thought about reading a book to improve your relationships, there is truly something for everyone among this list of therapist-approved recommendations. Prefer novels over non-fiction? No problem. Want to boost your sexuality knowledge with science-backed learnings? We have that, too. Craving something more interactive that doles out actionable to-dos for you and your partner? This reading list has all of the above.
TLDR; Whether you’re single, dating, or in a relationship, everyone can reap the benefits of the insights contained in these therapist-approved relationship books. Scroll on for your next read!
Best relationship books at a glance:
Best novel: The Course of Love: A Novel by Alain De Botton ($10)
Best book about self-love: Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian ($12)
Best book for *all* relationships: Attached by Amir Levine ($15)
Best book on sexuality: Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. ($30)
Best book for couples struggling to do it all: I Want This to Work byElizabeth Earnshaw ($23)
Best book for emotional connection: Hold Me Tight byDr. Sue Johnson ($21)
Best book to help heal heartbreak: How To Fix A Broken Heart by Dr. Guy Winch ($14)
Best book for anyone in a committed relationship: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman($14)
Best children’s book that adults can relate to: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein ($17)
