There are many contented single women. They don’t need a partner. Don’t want a partner and scoff at the notion of being someone’s “other half,” again. Then, there are those of us who want a relationship—if not now, then sometime in the future. Over the past couples of years I ‘ve read a few books on the topic and it’s from this secret library that I share…

1. All The Rules: Time tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right by Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider. This book advocates for living life, having fun and allowing your love interest to chase YOU.  Then, it gives time tested rules to follow—should you be a woman like me who says, “ugh, I don’t have time for games,” that always succumbs to the temptation of being an alpha female and taking charge of the process.

2. Calling in “The One”: 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life by Katherine Woodward Thomas. Ok…I must tell you…I first read this book in 2011 and though the title says 7 weeks…I’m still single (womp, womp). The first time I read it, on the last day of the 7^th week I met a man who I ended up caring deeply for. (It didn’t materialize, but that’s a story for another post). That being said, every time I start re-reading the book new great men come into my life.  This book is not a book about telling you the rules, but a book that gives you exercises/activities to fall in love with yourself and heal from past wounds, as it is when we exercise the energy of self-love that we are the most attractive.

3. The One: Discovering the Secrets to Soul Mate Love by Kathy Freston. The message of this book is more about spirituality, less about the particulars of dating. It argues for the quality of being, “whole,” and “connected,” to that which is greater than us, so that we can understand and appreciate the ebbs and flows of life, love and relationships. It opens our eyes to realizing that the discords we experience in relationships are vehicles for growth.

4. Expect a Miracle: 7 Spiritual Steps to Finding the Right Relationship by Kathy Freston. The title is self-explanatory. This book feeds the soul. It redirects ones focus from outward (looking for a partner), to the inner work one must do to match the challenge of actually being in a relationship.

5. Mars and Venus on a Date: A Guide for Navigating the 5 Stages of Dating to Create a Loving and Lasting Relationship written by Dr. John Gray. This is another fav! Dr. Gray has studied men, women, relationships and dating extensively. He’s practically manualized the stages of dating and pitfalls to be mindful of.

6. Meeting Your Half Orange: An Utterly Upbeat Guide to Using Dating Optimism. This positive book shares the story of a woman who has had many ups and downs in dating, the lessons she’s learned and the story of how she met, re-met (and met again) her love.

7. My Blind Date Went Blind: True Stories of Dates Gone Wrong by Virginia Vitzthum. I found this little book for $1.99 at Marshalls and am glad I bought it. It has 52 short FUNNY stories about real life first dates that went bad. It’s sure to make you laugh as you realize you’re not the only one who’s looked across the table thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Add to the List Frugalista’s! What else should we be reading? 

[info_box type=”alert_box”]If you want to practice self-care, you have to care for your finances.  My book, The Happy Finances Challenge, is designed to help you learn to make money decisions that will lead to long-term financial happiness in just 42 days. [/info_box]