"This book gave me the tools to better communicate not only with my significant other but with friends, family, and co-workers as well!" — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"Are you and your spouse speaking the same language? While love is a many splendored thing, it is sometimes a very confusing thing, too. And as people come in all varieties, shapes, and sizes, so do their choices of personal expressions of love. But more often than not, the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can lead to misunderstanding, quarrels, and even divorce. Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch.
Dr. Gary Chapman identifies five basic languages of love and then guides couples towards a better understanding of their unique languages of love."
This book was recommended to me by one of my best friends when I came to her one day and told her I wished my boyfriend would tell me how he felt about me more often. I told her that we have said the "L" word but he only says it a few times a month. His reasoning is that he doesn't want saying it to become habitual — he wants it to be special. Well, it IS special (I mean my heart beats like a million times a minute and I can't breathe and I get this ridiculous smile on my face), but then the other few weeks or even months I constantly wonder if he feels the same way. My BFF of course asked me why I didn't tell him about and that's because I don't want to be "that" girl. You know, needy, clingy, etc.
This BFF promptly asked me if I had read "The Five Love Languages." I said I hadn't and she explained that she could promptly see that our love languages were different. She said I was obviously "Words of Affirmation" and he wasn't. The next day I bought this book and devoured it within a few hours.
I instantly started analyzing my relationships not only with the boyfriend but with my parents and friends too. I could tell instantly that my best friend and I are so close because we speak the same love language. I sent out a text message to all my best friends and asked them what they thought their love language was and I continued to discover new things about old friends.
Now that I know exactly what love languages I speak (I tied for Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Touch) I know how to address what I'm feeling more maturely and without as much raw emotion (hurt, blame, etc). I think the most important part of this book is that it is not about finding a significant other who speaks the same language as you but more that you need to recognize your loved ones needs and learn to adapt to that.
For instance, to use words of affirmation on my boyfriend would accomplish very little because that's not his love language. After having him take the test at the end of the book (he's such a sport) I discovered that his love languages are Quality Time and Receiving Gifts. When I told him that I was "Words of Affirmation" he quickly said, "Well then I need to tell you how much you mean to me more often then!" It worked like a charm! I didn't have to be all whiny: "You never tell me how you feel!" This book gave me the tools to better communicate not only with my significant other but with friends, family, and co-workers as well!
I highly recommend this quick, enlightening read for everyone. What's your Love Language?
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: NA
Plot: NA
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: NA
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 60/65 A
Favorite Quotes:
"I am amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday. They insist on bringing into today the failures of yesterday and in doing so, they pollute a potentially wonderful day" (44).
To the FTC, with love: Bought