It’s long been argued that being well read makes a person more attractive. With World Book Night coming up on the 23rd of April, premium dating site EliteSingles put the theory to the test, finding the ten most attractive books to have on your bookshelf!
The survey of over 800 singles revealed that 84% of people believe that having read a wide selection of books makes you more attractive. Women are more likely to want a literary-minded lover: an enormous 87% of women prefer a partner who is well-read. 80% of men agree, with just 1% of respondents stating they wouldn’t want to date somebody who read.
The survey showed that what you read is also important. Survey participants were asked about the works of fiction they’d most like to see on a date’s shelves, and they voted the following ten books the most attractive of all. If these titles aren’t on your bookshelf yet, you’d better get down to the library!
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
- The Lord of the Rings (series) by J. R. R. Tolkien
- The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (series) by Douglas Adams
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- a Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones series) by George R. R. Martin
Social commentary comes out on top
Harper Lee’s cherished story of a lost innocence and racial prejudice has long been at the top of ‘read before you die’ lists, and it seems that the book is more lauded today than ever, with almost singles selecting it as the most attractive book for a partner to have read.
These results seem to show that, in this day and age, singles prefer their partners to have a strong moral compass and a social conscience. Could the current climate in the news be accountable for this desire to find morally upstanding partners? Perhaps. Certainly, sales of George Orwell’s 1984 have shot up in recent months, and it’s interesting to see this reflected in people’s dating desires, too – 1984 is second most attractive book on the list.
Singles love to see sci-fi and fantasy on their date’s bookshelf
Bucking the trend (and perhaps showing a need for escape from searing social commentary), fantasy and science fiction novels also fared exceptionally well in the survey. The Lord of the Rings series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, the Harry Potter series, and the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series all made it into the top ten.
Women especially expressed a desire to see fantasy on their date’s nightstand, with 27% of female participants listing The Lord of the Rings in their top five books. Men’s tastes run more towards Douglas Adams – 1 in 4 men would like to see their date reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
So, what can we take away?
According to EliteSingles Psychologist Salama Marine, there are a variety of reasons why these books have come to the fore, chiefly, ‘’people look for those who have interesting hobbies – and reading is one of them. Why? Because a great book leads to great discussions.’’ She adds ‘’also, your taste in books can highlight aspects of your personality – are you curious, romantic, dreamy? By sharing your tastes you can show and share your inner world.’’
Salama also noted that, ‘’reading is an easy passion to share with your partner’’, which makes it the kind of common ground that cements a great relationship!
In conclusion, if you want to get in someone’s good books, pick up a great book. Why? Because reading is – officially – attractive.
For more insight on this study, and on why reading is so attractive, please see our in-depth article
Press contact: Sophie Watson
EliteSingles Research Team
About the author: The EliteSingles Press Team
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