Ian McEwan hands out free books in Central London and in the process discovers that the novel would die a death if it weren't for female readers. Interesting!
It is possible that reading is seen as feminine, because women have more time to read (at least in the old days because they don't work, etc.), whereas men are busy with making money, etc. And if men do read, it is not fiction, please, but corporate, money-making, efficiency-related stuff. However, I suspect they do read fiction (perhaps men's fiction?) in secret.
Chet - think you're right ... most men I know will read non-fiction and thrillers ... brains are wired up differently I suppose, and it is just the sensitive guys who read novels ...
Ho hum ... what's anyone else's theory?
Idlan, Simon - there are some free books waiting to be snaffled at Silverfish. Folks leave their books for bookcrossing. Likewise, you can donate the books you don't want.
McEwan only had 30 books to give away anyway ... I don't think he'd have come all the way out here.
a-a - haven't read the book you mention. Tell us about it.
Mei - I want to do Nanowrimo. Will be overseas for part of the time though - if not the whole month. Are you doing it? Would you want to be a Municipal Liaison?azclrm
A-A - "No money no buy" *sigh* I envy you. You have your habit under control. My latest book is On Beauty by Zadie Smith bought in Times yesterday. If Anna hadn't come and dragged me away for a coffee goodness knows what would have happened.
a-a - You're very welcome to be here. I love to hear about other people's books and thoughts on reading and writing.
Some of us belong to a book club called Fiction&Friends. We read a book each month and meet up to discuss it. If you want to know more, please e-mail me.
Er... URL doesn't exist. I'm male and I read fiction. Not that I wouldn't want to join, call me the next time you're discussing the stuff I'm reading now :
(1) Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series
(2) P. G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves" series
Would dearly love to know if TP or PGW's stories have deep hidden meanings (not !) :)
Incidentally, there are tons of good free books online (copyright lapsed) -- most of Orwell's stuff, Hitler's "Mein Kampf", Marx's "Communist Manifesto" etc. All free for the downloading.
There are a few sites (most of them online newspapers) that offer first chapters of books they have reviewed. I think this is an inexpensive way to "taste" a book before deciding whether to buy it or not. It's also the closest to free new books (as opposed to the classics that no longer have any copyright) that we can hope to have.
Idlan - yes, one person started leaving books and then others saw that it was a good idea. All booklovers need to cull their shelves from time to time. I'm culling mine soon and will put anything I don't want there in the book orphanage.
19 comments:
Interesting - look at the demographics of our own book club, Sharon - consists of women and one smart man!
*guffaw* Did you say SMART?????
Love your picture, Sham. I think the guys will be queuing up to join us now!
T_T
Why can't they do the same thing here???
Btw, will you be signing up for NNWM this year?
Sharon, I only said smart because of his association with the women in the group!
It is possible that reading is seen as feminine, because women have more time to read (at least in the old days because they don't work, etc.), whereas men are busy with making money, etc. And if men do read, it is not fiction, please, but corporate, money-making, efficiency-related stuff. However, I suspect they do read fiction (perhaps men's fiction?) in secret.
*please don't hit me for such silly views*
aiya i thot it was here. cheh.
I wish he came up further north to give away his books.
Chet - think you're right ... most men I know will read non-fiction and thrillers ... brains are wired up differently I suppose, and it is just the sensitive guys who read novels ...
Ho hum ... what's anyone else's theory?
Idlan, Simon - there are some free books waiting to be snaffled at Silverfish. Folks leave their books for bookcrossing. Likewise, you can donate the books you don't want.
McEwan only had 30 books to give away anyway ... I don't think he'd have come all the way out here.
a-a - haven't read the book you mention. Tell us about it.
Mei - I want to do Nanowrimo. Will be overseas for part of the time though - if not the whole month. Are you doing it? Would you want to be a Municipal Liaison?azclrm
5,000 books? ... you clearly have a book dependency problem ... have you tried to seek therapy?
A-A - "No money no buy"
*sigh* I envy you. You have your habit under control.
My latest book is On Beauty by Zadie Smith bought in Times yesterday. If Anna hadn't come and dragged me away for a coffee goodness knows what would have happened.
a-a - You're very welcome to be here. I love to hear about other people's books and thoughts on reading and writing.
Some of us belong to a book club called Fiction&Friends. We read a book each month and meet up to discuss it. If you want to know more, please e-mail me.
Ooos .. try this link
Er... URL doesn't exist. I'm male and I read fiction. Not that I wouldn't want to join, call me the next time you're discussing the stuff I'm reading now :
(1) Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series
(2) P. G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves" series
Would dearly love to know if TP or PGW's stories have deep hidden meanings (not !) :)
Incidentally, there are tons of good free books online (copyright lapsed) -- most of Orwell's stuff, Hitler's "Mein Kampf", Marx's "Communist Manifesto" etc. All free for the downloading.
There are a few sites (most of them online newspapers) that offer first chapters of books they have reviewed. I think this is an inexpensive way to "taste" a book before deciding whether to buy it or not. It's also the closest to free new books (as opposed to the classics that no longer have any copyright) that we can hope to have.
silverfish has bookcrosses? aiseh man. I am abroad; might nip down there next time I'm home though. Shld be good.
Idlan - yes, one person started leaving books and then others saw that it was a good idea. All booklovers need to cull their shelves from time to time. I'm culling mine soon and will put anything I don't want there in the book orphanage.
Chet.. there was a quote on the wall of Borders' Times Square --"all books are new to someone who has not read them."
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