Rose McCauley, Christian Author

Book contest and Guest blog book review--Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping it Together by Tricia Goyer

The winner of Reluctant Smuggler by Jill Elizabeth Nelson is Grateful Gramma, so as soon as she sends me her mailing info, the book will be sent. This month's contest prize will be Talking for Two by Wanda Brunstetter whom I have met at an ACFW conference. She is as sweet as her stories are! Everyone who leaves a comment this month will be entered except the previous month's winner. Two other rules to win: One is to make sure you leave info where I can contact you for your mailing address to send the book. The other is something I had wondered about on other sites, but now understand why--the winner will have to have a postal address in the United States. Last month I spent more than the price of the book mailing it to South Africa, so am forced to add this rule to be able to keep giving away a book each month.

Now on to our guest blog/book review. Our blogger today is my oldest daughter who is an elementary school teacher and a mother of 3. (My three lovely grandkids!) Who better to review a book about Generation Xers than one who fits that category?

Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple's Guide to Keeping it Together.
This is the title of the most recent non-fiction work by author Tricia Goyer. In this faith-centered help book , Mrs. Goyer tackles the tough problems that any marriage can face, but focuses mostly on those that pertain to us in Generation X . She attempts to explain why we have unique relationship issues (growing up with increased divorce, family financial struggles, past relationship scars…), what we want from our marriage commitment (romance, commitment for life, a true partnership), and how we can, through the power of God, have successful, happy and fulfilled marriages.
In true Gen X fashion, Mrs. Goyer relates each of her chapter titles (and even subtitles) to the music we grew up with in the 70's and 80's. She uses these songs not because she always agrees with the message of the lyrics, but because they ring a strong chord of familiarity with those in the Gen X era. Also used are quotes and ideas from other Gen X people. These quotes are used to relate the chapter topics with different people's own situations and ideas on marriage.
There are only two negatives I can say about the book, and each of these is purely aesthetic in nature. In the text, there are many different fonts used to break apart the different sections. Some use of different fonts is very helpful, but I feel that there were too many used to allow for an easy flow of reading. Also, I did not discover until after the last chapter that there were discussion questions at the end of the book. If this book was being utilized by a small group or book club, the discussions would be more easily accessed if they were at the end of the appropriate chapter.
Those criticisms being said, I really enjoyed reading and learning from Generation NeXt Marriage. It made me analyze my marriage and the way I treat my husband and family. It also helped me to rediscover the things my husband and I are doing right (Woo Hoo)! I will definitely pass this book along to other Gen Xers. Hopefully it will be as relevant for them as it was for me.
Christy Kinney
Berry, KY
Married 12 years