Indie Rock Alphabet Book

Ha, now isn't THIS awesome! Teach your kid to learn the alphabet AND get an indie music schooling at the same time! For each letter of the alphabet, Paste magazine has associated an indie rock band.

See it here

Relationship Resources

Me being the idealist that I am, Summer and I have worked some really cool resources into the development of our relationship. Because they've helped us and we've only just begun, I wanted to share. Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or married, you'll find something useful in the following list, I guarantee it!

All About Me
I can't remember the first time I heard about this, but it definitely piqued my interest and I bought one a year and a half ago or so to fill out just for my own benefit. I love taking time to really dig into myself and find out what makes me tick and what I really like or dislike. This book covers SO many things about you, your family, your friends, your viewpoints, your fears, etc. It'll take you a couple hours to fill out if you think through it, though the trick is to not overthink it but just write down the first few things that come to mind. Me and Summer each filled one out and gave it to each other and I have to say it was amazing to read through. It's a huge help in bringing things to light that may not come up in everyday conversation and really helped us learn about each other quickly. But enough promo. You need this. You'll need several copies as the years go by. So here's where to buy it...

Amazon link

For Women Only / For Men Only
Regardless of your relationship status, you NEED this. If you're single, get a head start and read this a few times. Then read it again when you get in a relationship. I highly suggest reading both books, too. Reading FWO really helped me understand my core feelings as a guy and helped me to understand why I think like that.

FWO Amazon link
FMO Amazon link

Trading Places
I already wrote a post about this, but it begged to be mentioned again. This'll help you understand how to better empathize with your significant other and will help you learn how to communicate your mood and feelings to them.

Amazon link

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts
Don't let the title fool you - even if you're married, this will still be helpful. I just bought this today and have been dying to get it after reading the synopsis about it. Les and Leslie Parrott need to have several places in your home library and I'm expecting amazing things from this. They have workbooks for both women and men for this and with what I know of their work, I'm sure they're worth getting.

Amazon link

Love Talk
I just happened on this one yesterday, but the Parrotts are blowing my mind already. I ripped through 100 pages of this short book last night and was floored at all the helpful information they cram into just a few pages. They have a writing style that cuts the crap and gets to the core point without boring you or dragging it out. And let me tell you - they nailed me in the face several times already. YOU NEED THIS. And the workbooks, which from what I understand, have 20 or so exercises to help you better understand yourself and the way you interpret things and communicate. Once me and Summer get into those and the online assessment, I'm sure we'll be blown away with the effectiveness and helpfulness of this book. I know I already am and I've only done part of the reading portion of the process!

Amazon link

I Love You More
I haven't read this yet, but it's yet another Parrott-written resource. Seeing a pattern here? Ha, I don't hide my respect for them and give them props every chance I get lately.

Amazon link

Every Woman's Marriage / Every Man's Marriage
I don't know much about this besides the little I read on Amazon when I found these yesterday, but knowing how good Every Man's Battle was and how good the synopsis of both of these sounded, I'd bank that they're great resources.

EWM Amazon link
EMM Amazon link

Assorted others
Amazon link :: Love & Respect
Amazon link :: The Five Love Languages (there's also a men's edition)
Amazon link :: Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat?
Amazon link :: Yup. Nope. Maybe.

"Batman: The Killing Joke"

My friend Keith passed along a Batman graphic novel called "The Killing Joke" around the time The Dark Knight was released and it piqued my interest because it was a resource that Christopher Nolan gave to Heath Ledger to get into the mind of the Joker. If you don't know, TDK currently holds the place of my all-time favorite movie behind The Passion of the Christ, so I was definitely interested in checking out anything related to it. It was a super great read and is cool to see where Nolan got the idea for the script and how Ledger should interpret the role.

I've never been a comic book fan, just because I didn't grow up with them or anything, so this was my first exposure to them. Maybe you're in the same boat, but I highly recommend this one. A graphic novel is basically just a long comic book - this one being only 64 pages. It goes by quickly and is worth the short amount of time it'll take you to read through it.

Trading Places

I just finished an excellent book on relationships / marriage by Les and Leslie Parrott. I've heard their names over the past few years, but never really delved into too much of their stuff. I had the opportunity to hear Les talk at a Gary Smalley conference simulcast a few months ago and was super impressed. They're both psychologists but are very practical and down-to-earth. Their latest book, Trading Places, was being featured in the books for sale in the lobby and I took note of it. It came to mind again a few weeks ago and I bought it for myself and Summer. It's been a great read with some great insights, but I just hit the gold mine in one of the last chapters. It's 6 how-to tips for helping your spouse / significant other to see your side. They're in short summary form here, but they expand them more in the book. I'm sure you can identify though, even in this short form, if you've been in a relationship for a period of time. I just had to share 'em. If you dig, get the book! There's more where this came from.

Share your "highs" and "lows".
It will help your spouse experience your day.

Set out the right pair of shoes. (explain what you're needing)
It will keep your spouse from missing the mark.

Highlight your most important emotional needs.
It will remind your spouse of your hardwiring.

Get specific with your gripes.
It will increase your spouse' likelihood of doing something about complaints.

Provide a bit of context.
It will tune your spouse into the meaning behind your emotions.

Give your spouse the whole picture.
It will keep your spouse from having to play emotional games.