This might be the last post of RELATIONSHIP WEEK here at FYN.

I’ll compose a Part Two to Your Cheating Heart at some point, perhaps not this week, though!

So I can’t remember the last time that I have READ so much. Seriously. The last year has been full of growth, setbacks, belligerence and challenges. Just short of committing myself to some kind of facility, I’ve been picking up and reading nearly anything that I can in my quest for meaning and sanity in relationships. I wonder what my life would be like if I hadn’t been the serial relationship-ist that I am.

The following entry contains all sorts of reads pertaining to relationships in one way or another. Commentary below each one.

Let’s just get this one out of the way first. I really do not like this book. At all. Sorry, Amazon. I know that 90 people reviewed it and it has an average rating of 4.5 stars. While the author brings up a lot of salient points, I treat this book as a memoir and not a scientific treatise on dating. “Settling” and “good enough” works for the air that you get at the gas station for your tires, not relationships that might not be right for you.

In my opinion, the author comes across as self-righteous with a dash of smugness. I really didn’t care for her tone. Someone asked me to read this and I truly think that our differing perspectives on this material soured our acquaintanceship. I take issue with there being virtually zero hard evidence in this book. Don’t even get me started on her inane sweaters vs. relationships comparisons.

From the author of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia comes a book about marriage. While it was not the runaway success that was made into a megablockbuster movie, I found Committed to be funny and well-researched, unlike Marry Him. It will definitely help you rethink your personal reasons for or against matrimony.

Ah, The Way of Transition. This book will made you sad and yet triumphant, shortly after you finish it. The author is an expert on transitions. After his wife passes away from cancer, he re-examines his own take on the subject. It doesn’t get more nitty gritty and painful than this.

Although this book has marriage in the title, it’s really about committed relationships. There is a wealth of information here about differentiation. It’s a wonderful book to peruse, especially with one’s partner, provided both of you are sincere and willing to work on yourselves and actually *care* about your relationship. Compassion is integral to growth.

Perhaps one of Anais Nin’s finest works, in my opinion. Short and sweet, this one is about a protagonist named Sabina. She’s married, yet suffers from a roving libido that leads her on some strange paths indeed.

If you think that you’re logical and rational, think again. Sway examines the myriad of reasons why we behave irrationally. Why do we place higher values on the opinions of people with positions of higher authority and status than ours? Find this out and much more. It was an eye-opening read.

I think that this book can help you in relationships merely because it will help you to better understand yourself. This one is filled with anecdotes and observational accounts of the lives of a variety of different individuals. From the arts to business and beyond, this book examines talent, passion, and achievement. Definitely a near future re-read for me.

Song of the day: A Sunday Smile by Beirut (Live on Jools Holland)

All I want is the best for our lives my dear,
and you know my wishes are sincere.
Whats to say for the days I cannot bare.

Shine on,
Lisa

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