cover image Love Games: How to Deepen Communication, Resolve Conflict, and Discover Who Your Partner Really is

Love Games: How to Deepen Communication, Resolve Conflict, and Discover Who Your Partner Really is

Mark Robert Waldman. Putnam Publishing Group, $23.95 (251pp) ISBN 978-1-58542-005-6

Those who are willing to be vulnerable, silly and intimate with another for the sake of a relationship will enjoy this gentle primer for couples on improving communication. In the first of two parts, Waldman (The Art of Staying Together) discusses conscious intimacy. More than simply spewing out one's thoughts and feelings as they arise, he says, effective and respectful communication requires awareness and skill--which readers can develop by playing the games Waldman outlines. The second part of the book comprises games related to themes of discovery, sensuality, negotiating conflict, problem-solving, romantic writing and having fun together. Though it is largely based on a synthesis of the work of such popular psycho-spiritual thinkers as Herbert Benson, Harville Hendrix and Thich Nhat Hanh, the appeal of Waldman's approach lies in the enticing way he has repackaged what are essentially relationship exercises. For example, ""Charting Your Anger Away,"" in the chapter on dealing with conflict, is what is known to academics as a ""self-monitoring exercise"" (the game involves keeping a daily record of anger-inducing events and thoughts). Waldman's other games include charting one's family, sentence-completion games, treating your partner to a ""care day"" and role playing. (Jan.)