Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul: Stories of Love, Laughter and Commitment to Last a Lifetime

by Jack Canfield (Compiler), Mark Victor Hansen, Maria Nickless

Encompassing everything from first proposal to anniversary memories, this inspirational celebration of marriage offers a selection of touching, poignant, humorous, and joyous essays, stories, and reflections for the bride and bride-to-be. Simultaneous. 400,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Romance, Short Stories

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Emily Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is the best -- although I say that because Matthew's story of his proposal to me is in it :) :)

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun read for a bride-to-be.

[Raquel Iacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from a little library from someone’s yard about a month after I got married. I thought I’d read it and give it back. The real stories made me laugh and cry far more than I expected. I’ll be keeping it to read every so often and not exchange it like I originally planned. Highly recommend to anyone, not just brides because it’s full of wisdom for any age.

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"If you don’t make each other laugh, there is something wrong."

A tear-inducing collection of love stories. I got this as a present from my maid-of-honor when I got engaged, and it made me sob like a little girl.

A beautiful collection for anyone in love or anyone who just loves love.

[Neha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up for sentimental value - a very sweet and heartwarming read! Some of the stories came off as preachy, and I wish there was some more diversity both in terms of sexual orientation and culture.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites. I read it the week after getting married. Recommended for brides, soon to be brides and just married couples.

[Mikaela Resende · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching

Beautiful and sweet stories that help you remember why you fell in love in the first place. So glad I took the time to read

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit old fashioned/outdated at this point (and only features straight couples/stories... often with a hefty dose of Christianity) but sweet nonetheless.

[BARBARA A MITTLESTEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many interesting stories.

[JoAnn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a bride in the family, so I thought it would be fun to revisit some of those ready-to-be-getting-married moments. Sweet.

[Hannah Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post wedding emotional reading borrowed from a soon to be bride. Quite old fashioned but a pleasant read.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this wouldn't be my first choice in Chicken Soup books, reading the stories of new love and early wedded bliss gives me hope that perhaps one day I will be a bride, having found the man of my dreams. Some of the stories reminded me of my grandparents' marriage, which lasted 67 years before old age took them from us within 6 months of each other, while others reminded me of my parents, married just under 35 when the 'in sickness and in health' and 'til death do us part' lines in the wedding vows were put to the test as my father cared for my mother during her battle with terminal cancer, losing her just 2 months after my grandmother and 6.5 months after my grandfather in that same terrible year. It is those two long marriages, and stories like in this book that keep me from getting too down about still being single at 32, but I couldn't help feeling jealousy at the young lovers who knew they were soulmates as high school or college sweethearts. I would have liked a few stories I could identify with, about women who believe that good things come to those who wait, even if the wait feels endless and eventually do find Mr. Right.
Also, as the Chicken Soup books are a faith-based line, I wouldn't recommend this as a gift to a bride who is taking another bride, or a pair of grooms with no bride involved, as they would likely notice the absence of other same-sex couples in the stories, although the message of love can still be universal and most of the stories are not emphatically Christian.

[Lisa]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I bought it four days ago- Thursday, and have hardly been able to put it down since. I've already recommended it to an engaged friend, and will definitely recommend it to others. Heck, I might even have my fiance read it, since several of the stories are written from the groom's perspective, as well as fathers of the groom, mothers of the groom, fathers and mothers of the bride, and even close friends. Some of the stories have made me laugh, some have made me cry, several have made me think and consider what I'd do in certain circumstances, if I lost someone close to me, a member of my wedding party, etc. Each short story was filled with a mixture of love, hope, wisdom and expectation. Some brides were in their first bloom of love, others were receiving a precious second chance. A GREAT READ!!!

[Lynai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an anxious bride-to-be. With only two weeks left before the big day, and as much as I want to be calm and cool, I just can’t, as evidenced by the appearance of rashes on my legs and back. Experience tells me that my skin allergies always enjoy making a show whenever I am stressed out. So, reading this book has served, indeed, as a “chicken soup” to my restless soul.

The stories included in this edition of the renowned Chicken Soup for the Soul have made me laugh, some made me teary-eyed, but most of all, they taught me life lessons that I can live with for the rest of my marriage life. They taught me that, at the end of the day, it is not the wedding that really matters but the marriage.

Continue reading.

[Faye Hollidaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I would have quit reading this book because of my disappointment at the first section, I would have never realized that this is a great book. The further I read, the better the stories got. This book is not only for new brides, it's just as equally for brides who have been married for years.
I bought my copy when I was planning my own wedding more than two years ago now, but didn't get around to reading it until recently. It was worth whatever I paid for it and it's staying on my bookshelf. I highly recommend this book to any who are getting married, any who are already married, and any who dream about having a marriage that literally lasts a lifetime.
This is the best Chicken Soup book I have read to date.

[Dianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter tripe. I was given this book as a shower gift, and spent many a happy hour mocking it. The writing is uneven; most of the stories have pat morals and little nuance; and the women are stereotyped.

If you're looking for a self-help book to get you through the wedding craziness, try Emotionally Engaged: A Bride's Guide to Surviving the "Happiest" Time of Her Life. Emotionally Engaged is not earth-shattering; in fact, it's mostly common sense. But it does encourage brides to deal with their problems head on, instead of burying themselves in Chicken Soup stories with no really value and questionable messages.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mother bought me this as a gift, something to read before my wedding this April. It is what is expected from the Chicken Soup series: cute, "uplifting" stories for mostly the Christian set. I have to admit that a few stories made me tear up, and a lot in the ninth section of the book I found quite soothing during this planning process. So yes, not high literature, but good for its intended purpose.

[Swety Retna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku yang sangat menyentuh :') saya berkali-kali menitikkan air mata karena terharu pada kisah-kisah sepasang suami istri, dari saat mereka bertemu, merencanakan pernikahan, momen pernikahan itu dan tentu saja kehidupan yang dijalani selama menikah sampai akhirnya maut menjelang.. penikahan memang tak selalu indah tapi didalamnya ada banyak kesempatan bertumbuh menjadi dewasa. Kebanyakan mereka mengatakannya, bahwa selalu ada badai,namun mereka bahagia dengan pernikahan :))

[Breeana Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really sweet stories in this book that bring goosebumps every time I read or hear them. It was fun reading while engaged to be married. Also, there are a lot of good ideas on how to propose, men! If you're thinking of proposing (or know a friend who is), I'd suggest this book for great ideas.

[Marvie Grulke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a few stories from this. It's an OK read. Someone gave it to me for a wedding/wedding shower gift. Riddle me this? Why exactly is this a good gift? It didn't make me a better bride/wife. I think I'd rather the actual chicken soup. No offense to the presenter of said gift. Also, I've ranked "The Giving Tree" so there's that to say about my book reviewing skill set.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is comprised of short stories submitted by brides/brides to be or their close family. Not a good idea to read them in public - found it hard to read most stories without being moved to tears; a potent reminder of what is really important about weddings/marriage - an excellent gift for brides or brides-to-be.

[Gizzle Fe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What will make love last? There is Commitment, shared interest, unselfishness, physical attraction and communication, but there's more there is Spontaneity, There is Surprises, There is Sharing, There is Forgiveness, There is Sensitivity and above all There is Faith. :) that's what makes love last. :)

[Shannon mp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy, Nellie! Break out the kleenex! I was not expecting to read so many sad stories while preparing for my big day! They were very touching stories that deliver the "real meaning of marriage" message, but with the stress of planning a wedding...I had to close this one until AFTER the ceremony.

[Auntkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the chicken soup books. I like how they are a bunch of litle short stories so even if you only have just a couple minutes to read you can get one story read. This ones good even if your not married or engaged right now.

[Jinni-lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book to read, I love to read real life stories!!! The good thing about books like these is that you can read it little by litte since it's a bunch of stories in one. Anyone who is engaged should read this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book i bought it the first time i got married at i read i every once in a while to see all the love and compassion that is in there. I remmoned any new bride buys this book becuase it will help you though the tough times...

[Efi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bab Lamaran, wow romantis banget!!!
Kadang sampe menitikkan airmata.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very heartwarming book. It was a very nice shower gift I received and I actually read the whole thing. Some of the stories even made me tear up.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given to me at my wedding shower, it was another good chicken soup book...

[Lauren Bronstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book!! so many precious stories... thanks Megan ;)