Why Don’t Men Read Romance Novels?
If They Did, They Might Learn Something
Yesterday, a suit-clad man in his late 50s came up to the circulation desk at the library where I work with a stack of books to check out.
They were all romances.
As he handed me his library card, I waited for the disclaimer. Sure enough, he announced, “These aren’t for me. They’re for my wife.”
“A likely story,” I joked. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with a dude enjoying the occasional bodice-ripper.”
“No, really,” he insisted, reddening. “She’s home with the flu! She sent me to the library with a reading list!”
“It’s okay,” I said, laughing, “I believe you.”
Do men ever check out romances for themselves? In over a decade of library work, I’ve never seen it happen. Although if straight men did read romances, they might learn a few things.
Apparently, they’d rather not.
I’m all in favor of avoiding gender stereotyping. And yet? When our patrons bring their books to the circulation desk for check out, there are few surprises.
Battle Secrets of World War II? It’s a dude.
I Kissed An Earl? It’s a lady.
