Managing Conflict in a Negotiated World: A Narrative Approach to Achieving Productive Dialogue and Change Book

Some combination of the cover and the title made this book leap out at me from where it was nestled upon the shelf. I picked it up and proceeded to ignore my friends in favour of reading the first 100 pages or so.

Written by two comedy writers who just so happen to be a couple, this book made me laugh out loud. In the bookstore. (Come to think of it, maybe it was my friends who ignored me...)

Will this book solve all--or any--problems between a couple? No. It assumes both people in the relationship are reasonably mature, loving individuals, who want to make their partner happy, and make a pretty good relationship better. Clearly--and unfortunately--this isn't always the case. The book doesn't give real advice or solve complicated issues... And it doesn't claim to. Don't take this book too seriously and you'll enjoy it all the more.

With anecdotes, great lines, and a he-said/she-said format, this book is fun and quick to read. It's also a self-described "nudge" to understand each other better, and sometimes that's all we need--a nudge in the right direction. Especially if that nudge makes you laugh out loud.