Read these books for a loving and nurturing relationship with your beau

“You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.”—Gone with the Wind by Margret Mitchell. 

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”—Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen

Some of the greatest romantic lines have are known to us through the written word of writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, Nicholas Sparks even. They made us believe in the love which ceased to exist beyond the pages of the novel, in the kind of chemistry that leaves you craving for affection and serendipitous, yet tumultuous journeys that end in a happily-ever-after. Wish as we might, relationships aren’t happy accidents one after the other and they are dependent on mutual effort, willingness and understanding. But within the wide realm of books, we also have those written to guide us through our relationships so that we can be more nurturing, loving and caring. So, here’s a list of books that you can read to help navigate the glories and perils of a relationship, understand your partner better and grow in love. 

Eight Rules of Love by Jay Shetty

 
A personal favourite, Eight Rules of Love by Jay Shetty presents a realistic portrayal of love that goes beyond its swoon-worthy and fairy-tale-esque notions fed to us by pop-culture. Each section explores the various nuances of love, beginning with self-love and the power of solitude, dating, understanding each other, learning from your partner, forms of abuse and more. Shetty offers a practical guide to navigating relationships to make them stronger and ever-evolving. 

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman 

This New York Times Bestseller was published in the year 1992 but remains as true and relevant today. “Falling in love is easy—but how can you stay in love?’ reads the synopsis. The book delves deep into the five love languages that will help you experience greater levels of emotional and physical intimacy with your partner over long period of time. Different people have different ways of showing and receiving love and this book offers a practical guide to understanding these expressions of love that will enable higher levels of compatibility, and growth. 

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it can help you Find and Keep Love by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller 

For those looking for the scientific backing to love and its many shenanigans (as ironical as it may sound) the book might just be the right pick for you. Based on a psychological study conducted in the 1950’s, it holds that understanding the attachment style of different people in relationships can help find and sustain love. They write about how, depending on the attachment style, individuals behave in three distinct manners—anxious, avoidant and secure and offers a guide to navigating relationships with this in mind. 

Happiness Is a Choice You Make by John Leland 

Although this book may not fall under the genre of relationships, Happiness is a choice you make by John Leland draws inspiration from America’s fastest growing age group whom he anticipated to have problems such as ageing, deterioration of the mind and body and loneliness. Instead, he found that most of the elders lived in happiness and contentment and went down the rabbit hole to understand how. The read will leave you feeling warm and inspired, whether single, in a relationship or married. 

Love, Sex and Staying Warm: Keeping the Flame Alive by Neil Rosenthal 

We’re all familiar with the honeymoon phase of relationships. But what happens after that? Does the romance and chemistry just fade away into monotony? Well, it doesn’t have to. Love, Sex and Staying Warm explores the ways in which you can improve physical and emotional intimacy with your partner, respecting their boundaries, understanding criticism, loving better, and creating a strong, and nurturing relationship.