Books that Hook: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
By Kalie Chamberlain
Our senior book reviews are written with the understanding that mature, sensible, premium-aged people may not want the bother of searching for well-written, sleaze-free reading materials—that’s why we’ve done the searching for you. We hope you enjoy this month’s pick.
This Month’s Nonfiction Selection: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Author: Gary Chapman
Publisher: Northfield Publishing
Length: 192 pages
Our book club selection for February was Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages. The book had been on my to-read list for a while, and we thought that the “month of love” was the perfect time to read and discuss the book. At our meeting, the general consensus was that everyone wished she’d read the book sooner—it was so enlightening!
Dr. Chapman is a marriage counselor with 30 years experience counseling couples. That experience, along with marriage to his wife, Karolyn, helped him discover the secrets to having a happy marriage. Dr. Chapman’s thesis is that each of us has a “love tank.” This tank is filled by loving actions. When we feel loved, we feel valued and generally happy in all areas of our life.
The problem is that not all of us feel love the same way. Dr. Chapman explains that there are five different “love languages”: words of affirmation, physical touch, receiving gifts, quality time, and acts of service. Most people show love the way they naturally feel it. Unfortunately, their partners may not feel love that same way, which means no love is communicated, and the “love tank” gradually becomes empty. By learning their spouses’ love languages, partners can show love and feel loved in return when their spouse does the same. Dr. Chapman explains each love language in detail and offers ideas and suggestions for speaking that language.
Even if you’re single, the love languages can help improve many of your relationships. You may want to read The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition instead. Dr. Chapman talks about using the love languages with children in his book, and he explores the topic further in The Five Love Languages of Children. But even if you read his original work, you’ll be amazed at how your eyes are opened and you suddenly understand others’ behavior and reactions.
The Five Love Languages is an absolute must-read. Most editions include love language quizzes for you and your spouse to take that will help you identify your own love language. Also, it includes discussion questions for each chapter, making it a perfect choice for book clubs or marriage focus groups. Knowing the five love languages will give you the keys you need to unlock your own happiness and renew your marriage.
You can borrow The Five Love Languages from your local library. Purchase it from a local bookseller or at www.amazon.com. Also available in e-book and audio book format.