Males reading MWT

[emmaco.livejournal.com]

I don't know that we've discussed this before but apologies if so!

Megan's recent poster offer asking for our (mainly female) addresses made me wonder about the gender divide on her books. I know there's more females in this community but is that a true representation of MWT's popularity amongst the genders? Or are women just more likely to join book communities? *looks at her male partner who loves the books but has not joined Sounis*

Can the librarians of the group tell us if the books are as popular with boys as well as girls?

Comments

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

I do believe women are more inclined to do fandom things than males, just from the outpourings I've seen in other fandoms. However, my date tonight (OMG HALF AN HOUR SQUEE!) has read TT and I'm making him read QoA, and he likes them. Of course, he's the first guy I've met who's read them. So, really, this adds nothing to the discussion. Sorry!

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I can speak for my library, and I think the book appeals to younger males and older females. I did a booktalk for Thief recently to 6th graders (12-year-olds) and the kids who rushed in to read the book were boys. I have four copies and all are checked out now, with a couple more putting the book on reserve. I have tried to get some of the older girls to read it, but they are a bit resistant and I'm not sure why. I did just convince a girl to read it who is a voracious reader but HATES fantasy books. Her teacher is making them read fantasy, and I told her it is as realistic a fantasy book as you will find. She was very attracted to the idea of the setting that was a bit like Ancient Greece, and she is definitely sophisticated enough to enjoy the other two books. We'll see what she thinks, and whether she sticks with them.

Boys seem to like the swordfighting and hand-being-cut-off aspects of the books. It seems as if many of the younger members of Sounis read the Thief when 12 or so, then appreciated the other books as they were older. What does everyone else think?

Peggy, your son hasn't read them, has he? How did you convince your daughter to read them?

[peggy-2.livejournal.com]

Alex read all three, Thief first, Queen right after, and, when King finally came out, read it in one sitting. He's a HS junior now, and read the first two a few years ago. He wasn't as totally excited about King coming out as I was, but he did read it right away the next time he was home (when it finally left my grimy hands long enough for him to get it).

But he doesn't squee, and I don't know if he has re-read them. He did laugh out loud while reading them though. We'll have Mariah find out - she's used to pumping him for information. :-)

Mariah was finally convinced because I wouldn't let her in on any of the Sounis nonsense until she did, and dropped just enough tantalizing hints (and Jade tidbits) that she finally couldn't resist any longer. See where THAT has gotten me!?!?!

[fizzko.livejournal.com]

My younger brother (he's twelve) read The Thief because I forced him to and he loved it even though he's not the biggest reader. (Probably it was just that he thought a thief as a main character was cool, unlike the goody two shoes hero he's used to seeing.) However, he was not interested in the other two books. Again, not a big reader, unfortunately.

[rain-ing.livejournal.com]

My brother read all three books, starting with QoA first then TT and finally KoA. He's 20 though. He was addicted to QoA, and when I finally passed him TT and KoA to read he said, "wow it's really good! i wish there was more". But he isn't as fan-girly as I am. He isn't a very avid reader either.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

You should convince your brother to come and fangirl with us. A 20-year-old guy here?? Who is addicted to QoA?? What do you think, college girls?

[bluestalking.livejournal.com]

*psuedo-librarian*

From my experience, they go out more often to girls. Now, part of this is skewed, because for the last two years all of my book-pimping has been directed at women, because I go to a women's college. At home, however, I was still a book-pimp--and I had only one male convert. That was one of my best friends, and he has delightfully good taste in books, and he is a complete fanboy for them now. (Good boy.) Other than that, though...

I can't believe I never really thought about this before. I must call my mum and ask, as she is the *real* librarian and may have more to say.

[bluestalking.livejournal.com]

Librarian-mum says that at home:

When it comes to The Thief, it's about evenly girls and boys. Some of the boys drop off at QoA, and by KoA, she can't think of any non-college age boys who have read it. She thinks that, for the younger ones especially, it's probably the romantic elements. Just not that exciting to a lot of younger males. She says there is a boy she'd particularly like to give them to, but she'd rather wait because he'd probably like them more if he were older.

[(Anonymous)]

If it really appeals more to girls/women, I find that puzzling. There's romance, but it doesn't take up a lot of space in the books. When I describe these to people I usually use words like "political intrigue."
Philia

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

yeah, that's what I say too. Actually I say, "It's got it all! I mean, it's mostly political intruige, with action, some romance and just a dash of fantasy, all wrapped in a package of well-written prose." Or something less polished than that.

[octopirock.livejournal.com]

I know of six people at my school who like to read in general and aren't embarrassed to say so. One of them is a boy.

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

I had KoA in with the new books. A fifth grade class came in, and one of the boys checked out KoA. I asked - he hasn't read either of the other two. I hope he enjoys it. I'll ask when he turns it in, and report it to you.