Marriage in the Middle

When I requested a review copy of Marriage in the Middle, I had no idea the craziness my life would be when I was reading it. As many of you know recently, my oldest started college. In addition, over Labor Day weekend, my husband of 25 years had open heart surgery. So, during the week when I was reading this book. I was experiencing many of the exact same mid-life issues that Greco mentions. However, some of the mid-life items mentioned my husband and I had already encountered years ago such as dealing with the death of both his parents and numerous other major life changes.

The actual book review:

Many marriage books are geared to one of two audiences it seems: either newlyweds who are trying to start off on the right foot or those who are trying to keep a marriage from falling apart. Marriage in the Middle: Embracing Midlife Surprises, Challenges, and Joys, recently released by Dorothy Littell Greco, does not focus on either of these categories but instead focuses on the unique experiences of marriage at mid-life. As mid-life often brings about changes in responsibilities ranging from being in the sandwich generation to empty-nesters and possible changes in health as well as changes in sexuality as we embrace our own aging process, it only makes sense that our marriages need to grow and change as well. Greco incorporates her own experiences, the experiences of others, and well-documented research regarding marriage and mid-life.

I found Marriage in the Middle a good, solid book that will be referenced frequently. While I did not take lots of notes, I did find myself agreeing with items or thinking "that's a good point." While this book just came out, in many ways, I would have found this book very helpful several years ago and would encourage individuals to read it before they find themselves in the throes of mid-life issues. All in all, a very useful book that will be helpful to many and should be purchased by public and academic libraries and counselors. The discussion questions make it appropriate to be used in small groups or book discussion groups.

I received a complementary copy of Marriage in the Middle from InterVarsity Press via NetGalley. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.