Book Review: Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up by Harriet Lerner

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . January 15, 2012 . 12:02AM

Time for full discloser on this one: #1/I got this book for free to review it and #2/I’m a huge Harriet Lerner fangirl so excuse me while I SQUEE that I got to review one of her books in advance. I know, it’s ridiculous, right? Some of us psychology girls geek out on Harriet Lerner because she’s a fantastic author, writes incredibly well, doles out down to earth psychology wisdom and does it in a way that is easy to read. It’s nice to glean wisdom outside of class and from the comfort of my electric heating blanket. I have most of Lerner’s books on my “professional bookshelves” (of which I have 4, which is upsetting my husband, but I digress).

Now you know my big bad secret in that I went into this pre-disposed to like this book. It hasn’t been a secret that in my life my relationship has been through the tumble cycle of the dryer so this book actually came at a great time for me to really get some sound insight. Marriage Rules has solid information for those that are sensing cracks in their relationship, those who are already broken and know it and want to fix things and those that are doing wonderfully but don’t want to hit either of those points.

Perhaps one of the most solid aspects of the book is that, for those of us who are too busy to take off our make-up, Dr. Lerner has made each chapter into small subsections that can easily be read during morning coffee breaks or while you microwave your Weight Watchers meals and listen to Private Practice in the background. Her advice is practical and thoughtful and also has some sound theory behind it. I enjoyed reading the book, especially her personal anecdotes, and have already taken my advanced reader copy up to my office to share with my co-workers.

If you are considering an easy read to help balance things out and are looking for some well-processed and easy to implement suggestions, I highly recommend this book.