Men - do you read books written by female authors?

[alfajobrob]

Maybe, never thought to think.

I don't know any feminist/lbtq specific authors in the fields I like, but I don't actively seek them out so no are probably loads.

I have a cat.

I also have shit to do so should probably do that now.

 

[xenon]

Yes I recently enjoyed The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.

You bumped this nine-year-old thread to say yes you read a book by a woman? That’s, well a bit tragic.

 

[Orang Utan]

Really. How?

What am I missing out on?

Bear in mind I like Science, Historical novels and Science Fiction.

I read and have listened to Mary Beard. Ann Leckie as well as Ursala de le guin and appreciated it.

I have also listen and read absolute shit from some male authors and thought what a load of shite.

Like with anything, it’s good to take a chance on books that might not appeal instantly. Very rarely regret it

 

[bimble]

My most recent bf was / is so right on he’s only reading women writers until 2023. I don’t really think about it much but roughly I do seem to enjoy female writers of fiction more on average, & reckon maybe it has to do with us being inculcated with empathy more than men are, making women better at writing complex & believable 3D characters. This is a massive generalisation yes. Nonfiction there’s nothing in it far as I can see.

 

[BillRiver]

I don't. I have and still read numerous female authors.

Do you check the authenticity of all your authors?

What does authenticity mean in this context?

 

[killer b]

Does that make your reading experience better or just more right on lol?

Why wouldn't it be at least as good?

 

[Winot]

I have been reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which was so good that it kind of took over my brain for a while. Seriously, I was living it. So I recommended it heartily to mr p, whose response was "why the hell would I want to read that?"

I don't think I've ever seen him read any book by a female author, now I think about it, and it's never bothered me before but he would love this one! his loss, I suppose.

So men, would you/do you read books by women?

Has he read it yet Poot?

 

[killer b]

Why is there a quota we have to fulfill?,

There isn't a quota - but what there is, is a massive cultural bias - especially among men - in favour of male authors (and musicians, and film makers, etc etc), and unless we make a conscious effort to challenge that then it'll stay that way.

My cultural life is richer since I started paying attention to how diverse it is, fwiw. Much richer.

 

[Poot]

Has he read it yet Poot?

Well, nine years later I must confess that I've still never seen him read any book by a female author. And I am still making an effort to read male authors. So same/same, really!

 

[alfajobrob]

What does authenticity mean in this context?

Good point. For me can you write about it really.

For me whether ELJames is a guy or Eleanor Roosevelt is a lady?

 

[Orang Utan]

I do seem to enjoy female writers of fiction more on average, & reckon maybe it has to do with us being inculcated with empathy more than men are, making women better at writing complex & believable 3D characters.

Agree with this, especially when it comes to science fiction, but also historical fiction. Actually, pretty much any fiction

 

[nagapie]

You bumped this nine-year-old thread to say yes you read a book by a woman? That’s, well a bit tragic.

Have you read it? It's a special book so I think that could have been the impetus.

 

[BigMoaner]

I’m enjoying flannery O’Connor at the moment. Love southern deep south literature

 

[nagapie]

If you only read white men, you only hear their story. Which is already the dominant viewpoint.
Of course you should read from diverse authors.

 

[T & P]

Frankly I am amazed this question was asked in these boards in the first place. What kind of antediluvian knuckle-dragging cunt would ever consider not reading a book written by a woman? Here, or anywhere else in the civilised world for that matter, outside of far right message boards?

What next? ‘Men, would you watch a film directed by a woman, or fly on a plane with a female flight crew?’

 

[Orang Utan]

Frankly I am amazed this question was asked in these boards in the first place. What kind of antediluvian knuckle-dragging cunt would ever consider not reading a book written by a woman? Here, or anywhere else in the civilised world for that matter, outside of far right message boards?

What next? ‘Men, would you watch a film directed by a woman, or fly on a plane with a female flight crew?’

i think you have misunderstood the question asked

 

[T & P]

i think you have misunderstood the question asked

Perhaps. Saw the thread title and jumped right in without reading even the OP. My apologies.

 

[xenon]

Have you read it? It's a special book so I think that could have been the impetus.

I haven’t, to be fair. Not that I’ve wouldn’t.
Most of the books I read are written by men. though I not long finished a book by a woman journalist. And I do have a sci-fi book amongst others on the go.
I just found the bump funny. Yes finally I have nine years later, sort of thing.

 

[strung out]

I wonder if the 'I don't pay attention to what sex the author is I just read what's good' crew ever check what the ratio of male to female authors they read is? Cause I did a couple of years ago and it wasn't great. It's much better now since I started paying attention...

See also 'I don't see race'.

 

[Gromit]

I prefer female authors. Most men write women terribly. I remember the first time I read a Paul Auster book, I couldn't believe how wooden and one dimensional his female characters were.

Receptionist: How do you write women so well?
Melvin Udall: I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

 

[Santino]

Fuck off, Gromit

 

[Orang Utan]

Fuck off Gromit

 

[Gromit]

Fuck off, Gromit

No you fuck off.

 

[Gromit]

Fuck off, Gromit

No you fuck off.

 

[Gromit]

Fuck off, Gromit

p.s. You don't even understand the quote do you?!

 

[Santino]

p.s. You don't even understand the quote do you?!

Fuck off

 

[Gromit]

Fuck off

No you fuck off.

 

[Yossarian]

No you fuck off.

Fuck off and when you get there, fuck off from there too, then fuck off some more. Keep fucking off until you get back. Then fuck off again, Gromit.

 

[pogofish]

I can't say the the sex of any author has ever made any difference to whether I read their book or not.

And yes, I have read plenty of books by female authors over the years.

 

[BillRiver]

Good point. For me can you write about it really.

For me whether ELJames is a guy or Eleanor Roosevelt is a lady?

The more you say, the less I understand.

Never mind, I can live without.