Book List

Aaron T Beck M.D., Harper, and Row, New York, 1988
With eloquence and accessibility, Dr. Aaron T. Beck analyzes the actual dialogue of troubled couples to illuminate the most common problems in marriage—the power of negative thinking, disillusionment, rigid rules and expectations, and miscommunication.

Maurice Taylor, M.A. and Seana McGee, M.A., HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., New York, 2000
This book transcends outdated expectations and assumptions and shows how ten essential principles based on self love, personal fulfillment and emotional intimacy can lead the way to a lifetime of happiness.

Doyle Barnett, Three Rivers Press, May, 1997
20 Advanced Communication Tips for Couples seeks to challenge readers and offer them an opportunity for personal growth. Each tip is accessible with advice addressing such issues as being right or being fair, feelings before facts, and learning to be wrong.

John M. Gottman, Cliff Notarius, Jonni Gonso, Howard S. Markman, June 1995
Although this book was written to be used primarily by couples, it has become a bestselling text for college counseling courses. The skills and techniques introduced are based on the way distressed and non-distressed couples differ when solving problems. Each chapter includes practice exercises to help couples master the problem-solving techniques presented. Appendices contain problem inventories for husband and wife, a knowledge assessment self-test, and a troubleshooting guide.

Dr. Frank D. Fincham, Leyan O.L. Fernandes, and Dr. Keith Humphreys
Addresses the behavioral, affective, and cognitive aspects of communicating in relationships. The book can be used by couples as a self-help guide, by professionals as an adjunct to therapy, or as a supplementary text for related college courses. Numerous readings are interspersed with 44 exercises that provide a hands-on approach to learning. The authors outline 18 steps for developing communication skills and describe procedures for integrating the skills into relationships. Appendices summarize the empirical basis of the approach and provide psychometric information on the measures used.

Bruce Fisher, Ed.D. and Robert Alberti, Ph.D., Impact Publisher Inc., 3rd edition, November, 1999
Fisher’s classic bestseller explains the nineteen “divorce process rebuilding blocks”—from denial, fear, and anger to adaptation, loneliness, and freedom.

Constance Ahrons, Ph.D., Harper Collins Publishers Inc., 1994 New York
Dr. Ahrons shows couples how they can move beyond the confusing, even terrifying early stages of breakup and learn to deal with the transition from a nuclear to a “binuclear” family—one that spans two households and continues to meet the needs of children.

Constance Ahrons and Roy H. Rodgers, W. W. Norton and Company, New York, 1989
This book describes how ex-spouses can become cooperative colleagues instead of fiery foes. It considers divorce as a process of reorganization and attempts to lift the implicit condemnation which is often made towards couples who separate.

Isolina Ricci, Ph.D., Simon and Shuster, Inc., New York, 1997
This unique groundbreaking book has become the standard for two generations of parents. This comprehensive guide looks anew at the needs of all concerned with creative options and common sense advice in the legal, emotional and practical realities of creating two happy and stable homes for your children.

M.F. Schneider, J. Zuckerberg, Fireside, New York, 1996
This book explores the apparent and hidden fears that haunt children as they weather the painful confusion of a divorce. Teaching parents how to read between the lines helps parents tackle children’s concerns in a question-and-answer dialogue format.

Preschool and beginning readers (ages 2 – 8)

J. Cole, Cooper Beach Books, Brookfield, Connecticut, 1998
Four friends talk about their parents breaking up and give advice to other children. The book is entertainingly illustrated with multicultural drawings, photos and cartoons. It can be read by parents and children together or by kids by themselves.

Elementary school (ages 8 – 12)

Z. Stem, E. Stem, Tricycle Press, Berkeley, California, 1997
This book is written by two kids (with the help of their mother) for other kids to make sense of divorce. It has many valuable suggestions for coping. Several sections could be read to younger children.

Adolescence (ages 12 and up)

J. Krementz, Knopf, New York, 1996
Nineteen children and teens from divorced backgrounds share their deepest feelings about their parents divorce.