I'm an avid reader, usually devouring two or three titles at any given time. Between the fiction and true crime, I try to mix in a little self-help, especially relationship books. Hey, I can't experience everything, so sometimes I have to settle for reading about it. To save you from wasting your money and having to wade through the thousands of titles out there on the shelves, I've compiled this year's list of the best and worst dating and relationship advice books.
The Best
101 Nights of Grrrreat Romance by Laura Corn. Not just a traditional book. The pages are sealed and labeled either for his or her eyes only so that the romantic ideas remain secret until they are utilized. She has similar books for great sex and great quickies, but this one remains the best and least intimidating for those who want to increase the romantic factor in their lives.
Are You the One for Me? by Barbara DeAngelis, Ph.D. Babs has been married four times, so girlfriend must know something. I own this one. My favorite section is where she describes the "relationship busters."
A must for anyone considering a nontraditional relationship (big age difference, different religions, etc.)
Get a Life Then Get A Man by Jennifer Bawden. The title says it all. Solid advice, easy and fun to read.
Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus by John Gray. I really didn't dig it, but it spent over two years on The New York Times bestseller list and is considered a classic, so who am I to argue? He's written quite a few follow-ups, but this original remains the must-have.
Never Satisfied: How and Why Men Cheat by Michael Baisden. It takes a cheater, albeit a reformed one, to know one. Lots of anecdotes. You're bound to find yourself or someone you know among the stories. The author has turned his attention to fiction, but I'm hoping for a sequel on cheating women.
Anything by James Dobson. The guru for those seeking a connection that's spiritual as well as emotional and physical one.
The His and Hers Guide to Surviving Your First Year of Marriage by Wendy and David Hubbert. I read this after it was too late, which is like reading Monday's horoscope on Tuesday, but I strongly recommend this for anyone who is seriously dating to prepare for what may or may not be.
Men Who Hate Women and The Women Who Love Them by Susan Forward. Another classic and one of the first relationship books I read. It reinforces that sometimes the guy is just a jerk. And that women possess to strength to walk away.
The Worst
10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. I used to like this book, but I think Dr. Laura is such a sanctimonious bitch that the few tidbits of good advice cannot redeem her.
The Rules by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider. It was popular, but so was ether. Both are outdated and not of much use today.
10,000 Ways To Say I Love You by Gregory J. P. Godek. He should have quite after 10. It's overkill, forced and not very interesting.
Complete Idiot's Guide to Romance by Dr. Romance, aka Nancy Fagan. Except for the trivia on celebrity couples, there was nothing new or interesting. Some of the advice like lingerie for your body type was flat-out wrong.
Keeping the Love You Find by Harville Hendrix. I've read less complicated calculus textbooks. Very serious and hard to follow.
How to Marry the Man of Your Choice by Margaret Kent. I couldn't get past the back cover. The author didn't get her man until she was 42. I suspect she just got lucky and doesn't know what she's talking about.
Meant to Be by Joyce and Barry Vissell. I like my corn on the cob, not in my reading material. Only for those who need a steady diet of romantic stories.
