Reading is sexy: these books make you more attractive!

Can the books you read improve your chances in love? A recent EliteSingles survey says yes! In fact, our survey found that 85% of singles believe that being well read makes a prospective partner more appealing.

What’s more, after putting it to a vote from our members, and with a little help from and from EliteSingles psychologist Salama Marine, we have uncovered the complete reading list that will make you more attractive to the opposite sex!

The numbers don’t lie: reading is sexy

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single person in possession of a good book collection must be very attractive – to our survey respondents that is! Indeed, nearly two thirds of the 1700 singles who answered our ‘bookshelf’ survey admitted that they would like to date someone who loves to read, while only 1 per cent of members said they don’t like dating people who read.

EliteSingles Psychologist, Salama Marine maintains that an interest in ‘quieter’ hobbies like reading can suggest that ‘your date is a balanced, independent individual with something to offer – which tends to appeal to singles, especially early on in the relationship.’

So we’re all in agreement then – reading is sexy. But does it matter what we read, or can we simply pick out a few dog eared tomes to stack on our nightstand? First off, let’s take a look at which genres fared the best.

What’s the most attractive genre a potential partner can read?

After asking over 1,700 participants the above question, EliteSingles have discovered that the number one most attractive genre is thrillers. Perhaps singles like a date with a mysterious side, or perhaps it’s the sense excitement that gets the pulse racing! Non-fiction books came next, followed by biographies – both of which clearly display an interest in singles who are intelligent, and eager to learn about the world around them.

But what about individual books? Is there a page-turner in circulation that stands out from the crowd, and will help its readers find love? Our survey says: yes!

Which books would you most love your date to have read?

Following a successive survey, in which over 800 participants were asked the above question, a clear winner has emerged. Dip the lights, and a cue the drum roll, please: the most attractive book to have in your back catalogue is…

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee!

Over a third of respondents included this in their top five, with the book being a clear frontrunner for both men and women. It seems American singles like their partners with a social conscience, and clear sense of justice. Considering the current world climate, this result seems particularly interesting.

What’s more, the second book in the running, as selected by a further third of participants, is George Orwell’s dystopian political commentary 1984. It seems that in these turbulent times, America’s singles are looking for someone with their feet on the ground, and an interest in current affairs.

Beyond searing social commentary, fantasy and science fiction fared exceptionally well, with The Lord of the Rings, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and the Harry Potter series all making it into the top ten. Women especially expressed a desire to see fantasy on their date’s night stand, with 27% of participants listing The Lord of the Rings in their top five books.

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner was a particular hit with women, with a quarter including it in their top five books they’d like their date to have read. Jane Austen’s genre-defining Pride and Prejudice was equally popular among men and women, with 18% listing it. American classics The Great Gatsby and the Catcher in the Rye both appeared in over a quarter of single’s choices.

Here’s the top ten in full:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
3. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
4. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
5. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
6. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
8. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
9. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
10. A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin

Close, but no cigar

Other books that fared well in the survey include Moby Dick by Herman Melville, On The Road by Jack Kerouac, and Maya Angelou’s semi-autobiographical I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

So, what can we take away?

The singles surveyed clearly express a penchant for explorative, bold literature, with clear social implications. The presence of so many escapist novels seems to suggest we love a partner with an active imagination, while the two most popular novels also indicate we look for a strong moral compass and intelligence in our partners.

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 says that this popularity shows 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 good book. Why? Because reading is – officially – sexy.

Are you ready to start a new chapter in your love life? Want someone who shares your passions and who is on the same page? Then try EliteSingles today.

Do you have questions or comments about literature and love? Do you think that reading is sexy? Let us know by commenting below or write to us at [email protected]!

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About the author: Sophie Watson

See more articles written by Sophie Watson