Newlywed? The Best Books to Help You Invest in Your Marriage!

Whether you’re a newlywed or a seasoned spouse, this is a terrific and foundational list of books to help you keep your marriage on the right track!

I was told I could claim the title of newlywed for a full year after my wedding, so I did! Something else I did during that first full year of marriage? Invest in many books about marriage to set the stage for a lifetime. Below you’ll find some of my favorites.

Although this list could certainly be read after ten or twenty (or more!) years of marriage and still encourage both husbands and wives, I’ve found them to be especially helpful as my husband and I lay the foundation now for years to come.

So if you’re like me and you find some of your wisest mentors on the pages of books, scroll down to see what titles I’d recommend to newlyweds. (Or perhaps you know a newlywed to whom you could gift one of the books below!)

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Newlywed? Great Titles to Help You Invest in Your Marriage

100 Ways to Love Your Husband by Lisa Jacobson

100 Ways to Love Your Husband is unique in that it feels less like I’m reading a book and more like I’m sitting across from Lisa, soaking in her wisdom from decades of marriage. Also, I love lists, and that this book is one long list of 100 is perfect! Lisa shares honest, tried-and-true ways to better love your man. I’ll be returning to reread Lisa’s advice again and again!

100 Ways to Love Your Wife by Matthew L. Jacobson

I may be a wife, but I read this book after reading 100 Ways to Love Your Husband, and I love that this book is one long list of ways to enrich your marriage! Matthew shares honest, tried-and-true ways to better love your woman. Even wives can glean something from it! Even better if you buy both to read together as a set!

Cherish by Gary Thomas

My husband and I read this book together in the evenings and greatly enjoyed it! A talented nonfiction author whose books about marriage are grounded in Scripture, Thomas may have written his best book to date in Cherish. He presents a solid argument for the importance of understanding the difference between love and cherish (stick with me; he uses this verb as a noun). Love is the commitment in a marriage; but cherish is the spark, the romance, the in-love feeling.

I, too, especially enjoyed the questions included at the end of each chapter that prompted conversation around how we wanted to apply what we learned, such as how to make each other’s life dreams come true and address points of conflict. A gifted writer who uses funny, relatable anecdotes, Gary Thomas has crafted an easily readable book that is perfect for reading together (or listening on audiobook!) with your spouse.

The Mingling of Souls: God’s Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption by Matt Chandler

Chandler dives into the Song of Solomon, detailing Solomon’s relationship with his bride. I appreciated his unflinching attention to the biblical book. Even so, Chandler does not lay out the Song as a prescriptive manual on marriage. Instead, he pulls out principles that can be applied to any modern marriage. His specific focus on foundational relationship truths makes The Mingling of Souls a great read (or listen!) for newlyweds.

What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul David Tripp

Full of deep concepts, What Did You Expect? ponders truths about forgiveness, sacrifice, true love, and how our relationship with God ultimately impacts our relationship with our spouse. Perhaps my favorite takeaway was that it is important to graciously and kindly air our grievances with our spouse so that resentment has no room to grow. Tripp advises that avoidance is always unhealthy and is often ultimately selfish if we’re avoiding conflict because we desire our own comfort over progress in our relationship!

This book is a great one for newlyweds to read together. If you’re a newlywed, premarital counseling and well-intentioned friends have probably warned you about having unrealistic expectations. Well, Tripp provides practical steps on how to peel away these expectations and build a godly marriage.

Marriage Wisdom for Her and Marriage Wisdom for Him by Matthew and Lisa Jacobson

Whether you’re newly married or a marriage veteran, there’s something for every spouse in Marriage Wisdom for Her and Marriage Wisdom for Him. I especially enjoyed Matt & Lisa’s alternating perspectives, steeped in biblical truths. This set of devotionals are ones I’ll recommend to all my couple friends.

Encouragement during the newlywed season is so important. Let’s seek godly encouragement through the pages of books and lay the foundation for a lifetime.

Leave a comment on my Facebook page with your own perspectives on these titles and/or recommendations for the books that have influenced your own marriage. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

All my best,

Rachelle Rea Cobb

Here at Club31Women, we recognize that not everyone has the same taste or point of view on books, music, or movies, but we offer these short reviews for your consideration. Our hope is that you will find something new and wonderful on this list of recommended resources!
~ Club31Women