Here are 100 books that Beyond Mars and Venus fans have personally recommended if you like Beyond Mars and Venus. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Saving Our Sons

Warren Farrell, PhD Author Of The Boy Crisis

From my list on help boys thrive in a changing world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a pioneer in both the women’s and men’s movement. I was elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women in NYC and was called by GQ “The Martin Luther King of the men’s movement”. I advocate for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from the rigid roles of the past toward more flexible roles for their future”. I realized that boys worldwide are struggling in ways we’ve barely begun to address. I’ve presented my research for The Boy Crisis worldwide, from the White House to the Norwegian Parliament, and it has inspired bipartisan fatherhood legislation in Florida. 

Warren's book list on help boys thrive in a changing world

Warren Farrell, PhD Why Warren loves this book

I’m recommending this book because it gave me a deeper understanding of what boys need to thrive. Gurian’s insights into the biological and neurological differences between boys and girls fascinated me and reinforced what I had observed in my own research. I found myself nodding along as he described how modern society often misunderstands boys, leaving them struggling with their emotions, education, and sense of purpose.  

What I love most about this book is how it combines science with heart. Gurian doesn’t just diagnose the problem—he offers real, practical solutions that parents and educators can use immediately. I walked away from this book feeling even more committed to helping boys find their way, and I believe anyone who cares about boys will feel the same.

By Michael Gurian ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Saving Our Sons as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Boys and their communities are challenged today in ways they have not been before. Dr. Michael Gurian has studied and served children and their families for thirty years. His The Wonder of Boys (1996), is credited with sparking the "boys' movement." In Saving Our Sons, he features the latest research in male emotional intelligence, male motivation development, neurotoxicity and the male brain, and electronics and videogame use. Linking practical solutions with strategic new policies based on twenty years of field work through the Gurian Institute, Dr. Gurian provides a seven-stage model for the journey to manhood in the new millennium.…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of Boys and Girls Learn Differently!

Warren Farrell, PhD Author Of The Boy Crisis

From my list on help boys thrive in a changing world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a pioneer in both the women’s and men’s movement. I was elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women in NYC and was called by GQ “The Martin Luther King of the men’s movement”. I advocate for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from the rigid roles of the past toward more flexible roles for their future”. I realized that boys worldwide are struggling in ways we’ve barely begun to address. I’ve presented my research for The Boy Crisis worldwide, from the White House to the Norwegian Parliament, and it has inspired bipartisan fatherhood legislation in Florida. 

Warren's book list on help boys thrive in a changing world

Warren Farrell, PhD Why Warren loves this book

I’m recommending this book because it completely transformed the way I think about education. As I read, I kept having “aha” moments—finally, someone was explaining why so many boys struggle in traditional classrooms! Gurian’s breakdown of brain differences between boys and girls helped me see why a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching fails so many kids, especially boys.  

What I love most about this book is that it’s not just theory—it’s packed with actionable strategies for parents and educators. I found myself inspired by the idea that simple changes in teaching methods could unlock a boy’s potential rather than leaving him frustrated or disengaged. This book gave me hope that with the right tools, we can create learning environments where both boys and girls truly thrive.

By Michael Gurian , Kathy Stevens ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Boys and Girls Learn Differently! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A thoroughly revised edition of the classic resource for understanding gender differences in the classroom

In this profoundly significant book, author Michael Gurian has revised and updated his groundbreaking book that clearly demonstrated how the distinction in hard-wiring and socialized gender differences affects how boys and girls learn. Gurian presents a proven method to educate our children based on brain science, neurological development, and chemical and hormonal disparities. The innovations presented in this book were applied in the classroom and proven successful, with dramatic improvements in test scores, during a two-year study that Gurian and his colleagues conducted in six…


Book cover of The Male Brain

Warren Farrell, PhD Author Of The Boy Crisis

From my list on help boys thrive in a changing world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a pioneer in both the women’s and men’s movement. I was elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women in NYC and was called by GQ “The Martin Luther King of the men’s movement”. I advocate for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from the rigid roles of the past toward more flexible roles for their future”. I realized that boys worldwide are struggling in ways we’ve barely begun to address. I’ve presented my research for The Boy Crisis worldwide, from the White House to the Norwegian Parliament, and it has inspired bipartisan fatherhood legislation in Florida. 

Warren's book list on help boys thrive in a changing world

Warren Farrell, PhD Why Warren loves this book

I loved this book because it gave me a fascinating, science-backed look into how the male mind works at every stage of life. As someone who has spent years researching the challenges boys and men face, I was captivated by Brizendine’s ability to translate complex neuroscience into something deeply relatable. I kept thinking, “This explains so much!”

What I love most about this book is how it sheds light on the biological forces that shape male behavior—from boyhood to old age. It helped me better understand not just the struggles males face but also their strengths, motivations, and emotional lives. If you’ve ever wondered why the males in your life think and act the way they do, this book offers eye-opening answers.

By Louann Brizendine ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Male Brain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the author of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller The Female Brain, here is the eagerly awaited follow-up book that demystifies the puzzling male brain.

Dr. Louann Brizendine, the founder of the first clinic in the country to study gender differences in brain, behavior, and hormones, turns her attention to the male brain, showing how, through every phase of life, the "male reality" is fundamentally different from the female one. Exploring the latest breakthroughs in male psychology and neurology with her trademark accessibility and candor, she reveals that the male brain:

-is a lean, mean, problem-solving machine. Faced with…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of Boys Adrift

Warren Farrell, PhD Author Of The Boy Crisis

From my list on help boys thrive in a changing world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a pioneer in both the women’s and men’s movement. I was elected three times to the Board of the National Organization for Women in NYC and was called by GQ “The Martin Luther King of the men’s movement”. I advocate for a “Gender Liberation Movement, freeing both sexes from the rigid roles of the past toward more flexible roles for their future”. I realized that boys worldwide are struggling in ways we’ve barely begun to address. I’ve presented my research for The Boy Crisis worldwide, from the White House to the Norwegian Parliament, and it has inspired bipartisan fatherhood legislation in Florida. 

Warren's book list on help boys thrive in a changing world

Warren Farrell, PhD Why Warren loves this book

I’m recommending this book because it powerfully explains why so many boys today seem unmotivated, disengaged, and struggling to find their way. As I read, I found myself constantly thinking, “Yes, this is exactly what’s happening!” Sax connects the dots between factors like changes in education, video games, and even environmental influences that are leaving boys adrift.

What I love most about this book is how Sax doesn’t just diagnose the problem—he offers real solutions that parents and educators can apply immediately. His insights made me rethink the ways we’re unintentionally holding boys back and gave me a renewed sense of urgency to help them find purpose and direction. If you’re worried about the boys in your life, this book is a must-read.

By Leonard Sax ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Boys Adrift as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, American boys are, on average, less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. The gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. While Emily is working hard at school and getting A's, her brother Justin is goofing off. He's more concerned about getting to the next level in his videogame than about finishing his homework. Now, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men…


Book cover of Stop the Fight!: An Illustrated Guide for Couples: How to Break Free from the 12 Most Common Arguments and Build a Relationship That Lasts

Joanna Faber and Julie King Author Of How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen: Whining, Fighting, Meltdowns, Defiance, and Other Challenges of Childhood

From my list on to create strong connections in their families.

Why are we passionate about this?

Joanna Faber is the daughter of Adele Faber, a pioneer of the internationally acclaimed best-selling How To Talk series that has helped millions of parents worldwide. Joanna joined forces with her childhood friend Julie King to provide support for parents and educators of the 21st century. Each draws on her own experiences – Joanna as a bilingual teacher in West Harlem, Julie as a specialist in helping parents of children on the autism spectrum – to lead workshops and speak to parent groups, teachers, doctors, and librarians worldwide, including online sessions to support parents during Covid lockdowns and afterwards. Together, Joanna and Julie have written two best-selling How To Talk books

Joanna and Julie's book list on to create strong connections in their families

Joanna Faber and Julie King Why Joanna and Julie loves this book

Having children can put stress on a relationship. You COULD make an appointment to see a couples' therapist. Or, you could read Michelle Brody's insightful book.

Her explanations and whimsical diagrams, illustrating how conflicts between couples can escalate, will leave you chuckling with recognition and give you the tools to resolve your differences peacefully.

By Michelle Brody ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stop the Fight! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This Illustrated Guide for Couples Ends 12 Hurtful Arguments Once and for All!

Conflict within relationships is complex and challenging to overcome. In her 20 years of working with couples, clinical psychologist Michelle Brody found a way to make change simpler. Her secret: clear and lighthearted illustrations that help couples literally see what’s driving their battles and blocking their bond, so they can chart a course together to stop the fights.

The Money Fight
“You’re such a cheapskate!”
“You spend way too much!” The Sex Fight
“Not tonight. I’m not in the mood.”
“You haven’t been in the mood since…


Book cover of He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys

Cynthia Mance Author Of Dear Marcy... Ask Her Anything And Hope She Doesn't Answer!

From my list on audacious advice inspiring inappropriate lives.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am the creator of an online magazine that features conversations between my gullible self and my moody, hissy, know-it-all cat, Marcy. Marcy the Cat even has her own snarky but popular advice column on the site. Obviously, I have a penchant for the absurd. I love the humor that skewers our utter ridiculousness as humans and even calls us out. Tough love, audacious advice, and brutal hilarity are my forte. With just a bit of inappropriateness. Basically, advice and stories that encourage us to shape up or ship out. But with giggles.

Cynthia's book list on audacious advice inspiring inappropriate lives

Cynthia Mance Why Cynthia loves this book

I wish Greg Behrendt were my brother: that awesome guy in my life who loves me unconditionally, thinks Im the greatest, but tells it to me straight. Unflinchingly and unapologetically. Noogie sandwiches and all.

What I loved most about this book is Gregs unfiltered and (sometimes horrifyingly) honest dating advice for the modern female. This is the guy who tells you exactly how to navigate the male mind, stop deluding yourself, and stop wasting your time. Part cheerleader, part therapist, part drill sergeant, part stand-up comic, Greg does not want you to settle for any guy who isnt over the moon for you. I love a good tough love approach. Greg and Liz deliver. Yum.

By Greg Behrendt , Liz Tuccillo ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked He's Just Not That Into You as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Celebrating twenty years since its release, He’s Just Not That Into You remains a game-changer, offering no-nonsense advice for how to spot when a guy just isn’t interested—saving you from wasting time making excuses for a dead-end relationships. Inspired by a memorable episode of the iconic show Sex and the City, it holds its ground as the best relationship advice you'll ever get!

For ages, women have come together over coffee, cocktails, or late-night phone chats to analyze the puzzling behavior of men.

He’s afraid to get hurt again.
Maybe he doesn’t want to ruin the friendship.
Maybe he’s intimidated…


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Introverts in Love: The Quiet Way to Happily Ever After

Jennifer B. Kahnweiler Author Of The Genius of Opposites: How Introverts and Extroverts Achieve Extraordinary Results Together

From my list on for partners of opposite personalities.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in a talkative family in an extroverted culture near NYC. I discovered I also liked the quiet and found a man to marry who was very introverted. After the “opposites attract” phase we needed to learn ways to make our differences work and we've been doing that for almost 50 years. I took this knowledge to the workplace where, as a career coach and learning and development professional, I became a champion for introverts. I've written 4 books on harnessing the talents of both introverts and extroverts at work and speak about this topic around the world. I believe we are all better off when we work through our differences to achieve magic.

Jennifer's book list on for partners of opposite personalities

Jennifer B. Kahnweiler Why Jennifer loves this book

I had a great deal of respect for this author from reading her Psychology Today columns. Sophia Dembling is an introvert and from her research and personal experience knows that relationships between different personality types can be challenging to say the least. 

She takes us through all aspects of the dating process and doesn’t slam extroverts. What she does is show us, through her great wit and transparency, how we are not perfect but that we can balance each other. 

Dembling teaches introverts “how to let someone into their hearts while honoring the solitude we need..” I found myself laughing many times, even while reading the table of contents. “Whee! Fun With Extroverts” and “I Love you But Please Don’t Call Me.” And she helps extroverted readers understand and empathize with introverts who don’t find joy in too much socializing. 

By Sophia Dembling ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Introverts in Love as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the author of The Introvert’s Way, a friendly and accessible guide to dating and relationships for introverts.

Love is tricky for everyone--and different personality types can face their own unique problems. Now the author of The Introvert’s Way offers a guide to romance that takes you through the frequently outgoing world of dating, courting, and relationships, helping you navigate issues that are particular to introverts, from making conversation at parties to the challenges of dating an extrovert.


Book cover of Beautiful World, Where Are You

Jenna Tico Author Of Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life

From my list on millennials on your next existential crisis.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a 34-year-old memoirist, one of the most frequent questions I get about my genre, delivered with both curiosity and disdain, is: “Why?” After all, why? What could I, the life experience and literary equivalent of a pollywog, have to share about my journey—or, gasp, what I’ve LEARNED? The fun thing is, as someone who once broke my parents’ computer by using dial-up internet to download Napster, I’m used to disappointing people. Even more fun: as a millennial memoirist, I don’t believe in writing books that will tell people what I’ve learned. I hope my writing shows, through both merit and content, that I have indeed learned something.

Jenna's book list on millennials on your next existential crisis

Jenna Tico Why Jenna loves this book

All hail the queen. Sally Rooney makes it look easy, with just the right amount of Irish, nothing-is-easy-you-insufferable-wanker on the side. This book has it all: awkward yet undeniably hot sexual tension! Arguments! Cool names! A house that is bigger than yours!

And within Rooney’s stupidly gorgeous prose, we find ourselves not only yelling “EXACTLY!” out loud, many times, to an empty room but answering the book’s central question: right here. As long as we have a good book, that beautiful world is right here.

By Sally Rooney ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Beautiful World, Where Are You as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Beautiful World, Where Are You is a new novel by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations with Friends.

Alice, a novelist, meets Felix, who works in a warehouse, and asks him if he’d like to travel to Rome with her. In Dublin, her best friend, Eileen, is getting over a break-up, and slips back into flirting with Simon, a man she has known since childhood.

Alice, Felix, Eileen, and Simon are still young—but life is catching up with them. They desire each other, they delude each other, they get…


Book cover of It's Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You're Single

Minda Honey Author Of The Heartbreak Years: A Memoir

From my list on reads to get over your ex.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was the type of kid who tossed a coin in a fountain and wished that every day could be Valentine’s Day. So, it’s no surprise that my younger years were dominated by dating, love, and heartbreak. I learned enough about the matter to even have my own dating advice column for a few years. Mostly what I’ve learned is how important it is to have compassion for yourself and to know you’re not the only one having a hard time finding your forever love. I hope these book picks bring you some comfort.

Minda's book list on reads to get over your ex

Minda Honey Why Minda loves this book

I read this book in grad school while I was working on an essay for the Los Angeles Review of Books about choosing to be child-free.

Sometimes, you just need some real talk and a reminder that the deck really is stacked against you when it comes to dating. This book helped provide some much-needed perspective so that I could understand that there’s only so much control I have over my own singleness and that there are cultural factors at play. 

By Sara Eckel ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked It's Not You as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Why am I still single?”

If you’re single and searching, there’s no end to other people’s explanations, excuses, and criticism explaining why you haven’t found a partner:

“You’re too picky. Just find a good-enough guy and you’ll be fine.”
“You’re too desperate. If men think you need them, they’ll run scared.”
“You’re too independent. Smart, ambitious women always have a harder time finding mates.”
“You have low self-esteem. You can’t love someone else until you’ve learned to love yourself.”
“You’re too needy. You can’t be happy in a relationship until you’ve learned to be happy on your own.”

Based on…


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Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Gold Fame Citrus

Sandra K. Barnidge Author Of Everything Change: An Anthology of Climate Fiction

From my list on climate change that pull no punches.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a science communicator turned fiction writer with a special interest in the impact of environmental crises on small towns and overlooked places. My short fiction has appeared in various journals, including The Fiddlehead, Nimrod, Barren, and Reckon Review. I’m currently writing a novel about hurricane chasers along the Gulf Coast.

Sandra's book list on climate change that pull no punches

Sandra K. Barnidge Why Sandra loves this book

This speculative dystopia about drought-ruined California is equal parts lyrical gut-punch and surrealist adventure story. Main characters Luz and Ray set up residence in an abandoned celebrity mansion, subsisting on whatever they can scavenge. Their precarious existence is upended when they cross paths with a toddler, and the trio sets off into the Dune Sea in search of a life that offers more than mere survival. A warning: this is not a cool breeze of a read. But if you’re curious about the psychic impact of prolonged heat, thirst, and desperation, Watkins offers a masterclass on the grimy reality of human resilience in a hostile world of our own making.

By Claire Vaye Watkins ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Gold Fame Citrus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Haunting and beautifully written first novel by the award-winning author of Battleborn, set among a cult of survivors in a dystopian American desert

'A Mad Max world painted with a finer brush' Elle

'An unforgettable journey into a hauntingly imagined near-future' Ruth Ozeki

'Set in a drought-ravaged Southern California trolled by scavengers, Gold Fame Citrus burns with a dizzying, scorching genius' Vanity Fair

Desert sands have laid waste to the south-west of America. Las Vegas is buried. California - and anyone still there - is stranded. Any way out is severely restricted. But Luz and Ray are not leaving. They…


Book cover of Saving Our Sons
Book cover of Boys and Girls Learn Differently!
Book cover of The Male Brain

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