Mark Manson – 5 Relationship Books to Read

While doing research for a love poetry collection, I came across this blog post by Mark Manson, 5 Relationship Books Everyone Should Read. I just found out that Manson is the writer of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, a New York Times Bestseller which I’ve seen in bookshops and online – so many times.

This Manson guy needs some checking out. This is how he describes himself; “I write life advice that is science-based, pragmatic, and non-bullshitty – a.k.a., life advice that doesn’t suck. Some people say I’m an idiot. Other people say I saved their life. Read on and decide for yourself.”

On the list is The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, which I first heard about just last week while listening to Brendon Burchard. Two times in seven days! That got my attention.

1. Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
2. Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
3. 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman
4. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
5. Models: Attract Women Through Honesty by Mark Manson. Ha! Did he put his own book on there? He says it’s a best seller. Will need to verify.

Adding these to my ‘to-read’ list.

Now I’m really curious to find out what the recommended relationship books in China, Nigeria, South America, etc, are and how that advice compares with the American standard.

Update, October 7

While checking Manson out, blog post by Martha Garvey, Sorry, Mark Manson: I Prefer the Difficult Art of Giving a F*ck.

Manson is part of an expanding universe of white-guy self-helpians marketing this blend of positive thinking, Buddhism and stoicism, with dash of capitalism. Other companions in his awakened bro-hood include Tim Ferriss, James Altucher, Lewis Howe and Ryan Holiday. Most of them do have a nugget of wisdom or more to offer; the problem is that most of it comes from a white, cisgender, heterosexual point of view. To quote By the Book, a delightful podcast hosted by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer, who read self-help books and attempt to live by their rules for two weeks, it’s “privilege-y as fuck.”
– Martha Garvey on The Clyde Fitch Report

Interesting perspective Martha.

Martha Garvey Bio

Martha Garvey‘s work has been published in Salon, Killing the Buddha, The New York Times and the anthologies Best American Erotica (multiple editions), Strange Pleasures, and Not Quite What I Was Planning. Her plays have been performed on multiple New York stages. Nerd cred: writing for a federal agency website, wrangling data feeds for a 22-story sign in Times Square, and programming a jack-o-lantern so it lights up like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica (the reboot). Met a friendly robot in 1981. MFA in Dramatic Writing, NYU.