Question:
Is reading a female activity? I'm a guy who reads, and it seems books are marketed to women mainly.?
anonymous
2008-03-13 23:03:05 UTC
Is reading a female activity? I'm a guy who reads, and it seems books are marketed to women mainly.?
Fourteen answers:
Seduce A Stranger :]
2008-03-13 23:50:03 UTC
Hmmm, I never really thought about it.

I think I, personally, know more men than women who read.

Try Chuck Palahniuk. He's my favorite author, pretty gender neutral. And, like others said, Stephen King is pretty man-ish. Cell is my favorite book of his.
?
2016-05-29 09:25:48 UTC
Good question. I used to pride myself on being very informed and in the current about every issue. I've found that I've backed off quite a bit more and feel a more happy person because of it. New York Times Week in Review tells me what I need to know. I take a daily glance at headlines, maybe skim the article but find that nothing really changes when you get down to it. Also, due to the area I live in at this time I am unable to watch television and the pricing is outrageous for cable. However, I have a feeling if I was able to watch it then I'd at least hear what the major stories are. Other than that, it's paper and online
anonymous
2008-03-13 23:09:08 UTC
No, there are plenty of guy books out there. Steven King, definitely not marketed towards women.



It only seems that way because the media paints guys as burly and playing sports all the time. Don't worry, you're not alone.



Try reading some Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park is pretty good, so is The Andromeda Strain.
ghost
2008-03-14 02:03:12 UTC
i learned the love of reading from my dad who reads mainly Sci Fi ( hard core Sci fi) and trust me its pretty marketed for Men including the mostly naked females adorning the covers (not the only section that is marketed more toward men but its an easy hit)



not sure what section of the bookstore your looking into but maybe your just seeing books for their cover and not content.



i am female and read any number of Genre's i haven't really noticed a marketing trend to women or men. i guess it depends on the genre that appeal's to you but i don't think you need to turn in your "Man Card" just because you enjoy reading.



some other authors not listed above that might appeal to you



Clive Cussler

Issac Asimov

Piers Anthony

Mark Anthony

Jim Butcher

Dennis McKiernan

Dan Simmons

Chris Bunch

David Webber

and there are many many more
marqueen71
2008-03-14 12:01:25 UTC
Since more women buy books than men and they buy more books than men, more books are written for men. That doesn't mean there aren't books that appeal to men.



Anthony Horowitz (Writing primarily for teens and preteens):

Alex Rider Series - Stormbreaker (2000), Point Blanc (2001), Skeleton Key (2002), Eagle Strike (2003), Scorpia (2004), Ark Angel (2005), Snakehead (2007), and Yassen (Forthcoming).



Diamond Brothers Series - The Falcon's Malteser (1986), Public Enemy Number Two (1987), South by South East (1991), The Blurred Man (2003), The French Confection (2003), I Know What You Did Last Wednesday (2003), The Greek Who Stole Christmas (2007), and The Radius of the Lost Shark (Forthcoming).



Pentagram Series - The Devil's Door-Bell (1983), The Night of the Scorpion (1984), The Silver Citadel (1986), and Day of the Dragon (1989).



Power of Five (In the US: The Gatekeepers) - Raven's Gate (2005), Evil Star (2006), Nightrise (2007), and Necropolis: City of the Dead (2008; Forthcoming).



C. S. Forester (Cecil Scott Forester) HornblowerSeries

Midshipman Hornblower - Horatio Hornblower is just beginning his career in the Navy. This is the first book in this series of 11.



Lieutenant Hornblower -This is the second book (of 11) in the series. The seafaring Hornblower is promoted to Acting Lieutenant under the command of an insane tyrant of a ship's captain. The ship runs aground, is attacked by Spaniards, and Hornblower saves the day. Lots of adventure. Publication 1952.



Other titles include: Hornblower and the Hotspur, Hornblower During the Crisis, Hornblower and the Atropos, Beat to Quarters, Ship of the Line, Flying Colours, Commodore Hornblower, Lord Hornblower, and Admiral Hornblower.



Tom Clancy

Jack Ryan/John Clark Universe (Listed not by date of publication, but rather chronologically) - Without Remorse (1993), Patriot Games (1987), Red Rabbit (2002), The Hunt for Red October (1984), The Cardinal of the Kremlin (1988), Clear and Present Danger (1989), The Sum of All Fears (1991), Debt of Honor (1994), Executive Orders (1996), Rainbow Six (1998), The Bear and the Dragon (2000), and The Teeth of the Tiger (2003).



Vince Flynn

Mitch Rapp Series (Mitch is a CIA "black ops" counterterrorism agent.) - Transfer of Power (1999), The Third Option (2000), Separation of Power (2001), Executive Power (2002), Memorial Day (2004), Consent to Kill (2005), Act of Treason (2006), and Protect and Defend (October 30, 2007).



W. E. B. Griffin

M*A*S*H Series

Brotherhood of War Series (Army) - The Lieutenants, The Captains, The Majors, The Colonels, The Berets, The Generals, The New Breed, The Aviators, and Special Ops.



The Corps Series (Marine Corps) - Semper Fi, Call to Arms, Counterattack, Battleground, Line of Fire, Close Combat, Behind the Lines, In Danger's Path, Under Fire, and Retreat, Hell!



Men at War Series (OSS, WWII precursor to the CIA) - The Last Heroes (aka In The Line of Duty), The Secret Warriors (aka Covert Operations), The Soldier Spies (aka Give me Liberty), The Fighting Agents (aka Into Enemy Hands), The Saboteurs, and The Double Agents.



Honor Bound Series (OSS) - Honor Bound, Blood and Honor, and Secret Honor.



Badge of Honor Series (Philadelphia Police) - Men in Blue, Special Operations, The Victim, The Witness, The Assassin, The Murderers, The Investigators, and Final Justice.



Presidential Agent Series (Contemporary Counterterrorism) -By Order of the President, The Hostage, The Hunters, and The Shooters.



John le Carre

Call for the Dead (1961), A Murder of Quality (1962), The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963), The Looking-Glass War (1965), A Small Town in Germany (1968), The Naïve and Sentimental Lover (1971), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974), The Honourable Schoolboy (1977), Smiley's People (1979), The Little Drummer Girl (1983), A Perfect Spy (1986), The Russia House (1989), The Secret Pilgrim (1990), The Night Manager (1993), Our Game (1995), The Tailor of Panama (1996), Single & Single (1999), The Constant Gardener (2001), Absolute Friends (2003), and The Mission Song (2006).



Robert Ludlum

The Scarlatti Inheritance (1971), The Osterman Weekend (1972), The Matlock Paper (1973), Trevayne (1973, writing under the pen-name Jonathan Ryder), The Cry of the Halidon (1974, writing under the pen-name Jonathan Ryder), The Rhinemann Exchange (1974), The Road to Gandolfo (1975, writing under the pen-name Michael Shephard), The Gemini Contenders (1976), The Chancellor Manuscript (1977), The Holcroft Covenant (1978), The Matarese Circle (1979), The Bourne Identity (1980), The Parsifal Mosaic (1982), The Aquitaine Progression (1984), The Bourne Supremacy (1986), The Icarus Agenda (1988), The Bourne Ultimatum (1990), The Road to Omaha (1992), The Scorpio Illusion (1993), The Apocalypse Watch (1995), The Matarese Countdown (1997), and The Prometheus Deception (2000).



Hugh Laurie

The Gun Seller



Palma Harcourt

Climate for Conspiracy (1974), A Fair Exchange (1975),

Dance for Diplomats (1976), At High Risk (1977), Agents of

Influence (1978), Sleep of Spies (1979), Tomorrow's Treason

(1980), A Turn of Traitors (1981), The Twisted Tree (1982),

Shadows of Doubt (1983), Distant Stranger (1984), Cloud of

Doves (1985), A Matter of Conscience (1986), Limited Options (1987), Clash of Loyalties (1988), Cover for a Traitor (1989), Double Deceit (1990), The Reluctant Defector (1991), Cue for Conspiracy (1992), Bitter Betrayal (1993), The Vermont Myth (1994), and Shadows of the Past (1996).



James W. Huston

Secret Justice, Shadows of Power, Fallout, Flash Point, The Price of Power, and Balance of Power.



Len Deighton

"Unnamed hero" Series - The IPCRESS File (1962), Horse

Under Water (1963), Funeral in Berlin (1964), Billion Dollar

Brain (1966), An Expensive Place to Die (1967), Spy Story

(1972), Yesterday's Spy (1975), and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little

Spy (1976; published in the US as Catch a Falling Spy).



The Bernard Samson Series -Berlin Game (1983), Mexico

Set (1984), London Match (1985), Spy Hook (1988), Spy

Line (1989), Spy Sinker (1990), Faith (1994), Hope (1995),

Charity (1996), and A prequel to the series, Winter (1987).



Brad Thor

Scot Harvath Series - The Lions of Lucerne, Path of the

Assassin, State of the Union, Blowback, Takedown, and The

First Commandment.



Dale Brown

Patrick McLanahan Series - Flight of the Old Dog, Day of

the Cheetah, Skymaster, Night of the Hawk, Shadows of

Steel, Fatal Terrain, The Tin Man, Battle Born, Warrior Class,

Air Battle Force, Plan of Attack, and Strike Force.



Act of War Series - Act of War and Edge of Battle.



Independent Series - Silver Tower, Hammerheads,

Chains of Command, Storming Heaven, and Shadow

Command.



Ian Fleming

James Bond Series - Casino Royale, Live and Let Die,

Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love,

Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, The Spy

Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, You Only

Live Twice, The Man With the Golden Gun, Octopussy and the Living Daylights.
j153e
2008-03-14 01:22:15 UTC
Some more or less tough-guy books:



"Above Black," Dan Sherman, http://www.aboveblack.com



"The Path of Virtue," Jonathan Murro



"The True Story of the Bilderberg Group," Daniel Estulin



"The Lost Footsteps," Silviu Craciunas



"Tortured for Christ," Reverend Richard Wurmbrand



"Stay Alive, My Son," Pin Yathay



"University of Destruction," David Wheaton



"Essence of Aikido," Morihei Ueshiba



"Rule by Secrecy," Jim Marrs, http://www.jimmarrs.com



"The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?", Free and Wilcock, http://www.divinecosmos.com



"The Big White Lie" and "Deep Cover," Michael Levine



"Stranger in a Strange Land," Robert Heinlein



"New Lies for Old," A. Golitsyn



"Inside the Aquarium," Viktor Suvorov



"The Day after Roswell," Colonel Philip Corso



"Red Cocaine," Dr. Joseph Douglass



"The Man Who Loved Only Numbers," Paul Hoffman



"Man, Master of His Destiny," O. M. Aivanhov
Time Lord
2008-03-13 23:10:11 UTC
I like to read so I wouldn't say reading is a women thing.

It does seem that women tend to read more than guys do and a lot of the books are geared towards women.

But there are a lot of mens magazines,fictional and non-fictional books out there for men.

I like Stephen King and Ann Rice myself.
whitneyskywalker
2008-03-14 12:15:50 UTC
I don't think that's correct. Certain genres may be marketed towards specific genders (i.e., romance is marketed towards women, science fiction is often marketed towards men), but I don't think that's fair. True, I've never met a guy who's into romance novels, but I love science fiction and fantasy. Reading is certainly not a gender-specific activity.
TW K
2008-03-13 23:06:03 UTC
I dont agree. Guys read as well. I do.

It just appears that books are marketed to women mostly, because thats the case with most products and women are better and frequet shoppers than men.



TW K
anonymous
2008-03-13 23:08:58 UTC
I think reading is a gender neutral activity. Take for instance post-secondary institutions. Males and females enrolled in the same courses read the same materials. Perhaps it is not reading that is gendered, but what type of reading material you are engaging yourself upon.
anonymous
2008-03-14 04:30:28 UTC
Dude, really.



I'll just ask you a question:

Do YOU like reading books? If yes, then do not care what other people are saying.



Reading a book lifts your imagination. It has got nothing to do with BOYS or GIRLS.
Meridith B
2008-03-13 23:07:03 UTC
Thats a very good question. Never thought of it but now that u mentioned it...Maybe women DO read more, though, at leasd from what I have seen.
anonymous
2008-03-13 23:08:21 UTC
You are right on target... romance novels always were and always will be the bedrock market for publishers.
kiwidood3
2008-03-13 23:06:25 UTC
Try some WIlbur Smith.... he writes for doods a lot of the time.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...