52 Uncommon Ways to Unwind Together: A Couple’s Guide to Relaxing, Refreshing, and De-Stressing

Southern (52 Uncommon Dates) provides a plethora of ideas for partners looking for deeper connection in this welcoming guide. His suggestions include dance class, taking affectionate photos and selfies (of kissing or hugging), and driving one’s spouse to and from work. Southern matches each suggestion with one of the five love languages, based on Gary Chapman’s book of the same name. For example, hiring a calligrapher to paint an encouraging quote on one’s walls may appeal to someone with a love language of words of affirmation. Southern includes a Bible reading and list of questions that correspond to each idea to guide discussions about them. Southern also encourages readers to serve others with such actions as inviting an elderly person or widow to dinner, or mentoring an engaged couple, and reminds readers to be mindful of each other’s preferences: “The fact that two people don’t share the same tastes doesn’t make them incompatible; it makes them individuals.” Spouses who want to spice up date night or understand one another better will be pleased. (Jan.)