By Robert A. Johnson
224 pages; Harper & Row

People grow up with so many movies and fairy tales telling us that we have one ideal soul mate. Johnson uses the Tristan and Isolde myth to explain why this idea persevered and how we put expectations on our partners to live up to this legend. That's not to say romantic love doesn't exist—my parents are mad about each other—but Johnson argues that people shouldn't feel like complete, inept failures if they don't reach this emotional pinnacle. As he points out, it is based on a myth. I felt empowered after reading this book. I had more respect for "true love" and more self-assurance about finding it.

— Rachel McAdams