Probably an awkward question- Guys and Books

[Narma]

Hi ladies,

This is probably way off topic for this board, but I was curious and I wanted to know if others feel the same way.

Not sure if you guys ever pondered this, but do you guys feel like you develop a more intimate connection with a man when he reads the same books as you do? It's like you've made a journey together, one that only the two of you are aware of and can discuss. It sort of helps create a strong bond between the two of you.

What do you guys think?

[Maple]

I feel that way with all people, regardless of gender. When there is a book or books I have in common with other people I instantly feel closer to them, like we've started this secret club that only we are privy to. I think that's why I love book clubs so much, and why books have always been my most talked about subject in friendships and relationships.

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

As none of my boyfriends were readers, I can't tell about that. Some of them thought that I read because I was bored, which was really disturbing, so I suppose I will totally feel more connected with a reader.

I've friends who read (some other don't), it's nice to have some recommendations, to share opinions or to borrow books, but I don't feel closer to them because of that.

[Meagan]

I immediately feel like best friends with anyone who can talk about books, regardless of gender. I do feel that I've had better relationships with men who like to read, or at least take an interest in what I'm reading, than those who don't. I get really passionate about books that I've read, so if a guy doesn't share that same fervor a little piece of my soul dies.

[Beth]

My current boyfriend doesn't read and I don't have a problem connecting with him because we have many interests that we do share. He's supportive of my reading and has let me turn one of our rooms into basically a library. He never tries to get me to stop reading and I never try to get him to stop playing video games.

It works for us because we are connected through sports but then I have my books and he has his video games. I don't need to date someone that likes reading, I just need to date someone that is just as passionate about something so they understand that it's a huge part of who I am.

[Cait]

I agree with Meagan, that when I meet someone who enjoys books I feel like I can talk to them so much more easily than if they're not interested in reading. I think it's about having that common topic to jump off from in conversations.

When I met my husband he didn't really read and it didn't bother me too much until we were living together. I always read before I turn the light off and it bothered me that I kept the light on for so long when we went to bed and he was just wanting to go to sleep.

In the end I suggested he try reading the Sherlock Holmes books because he was a fan of the TV adaptations and films. He gave them a go, loved them, and it jumped off into a whole range of other books. I'm glad that he enjoys reading now, not just because I don't feel like I'm keeping him up at night with my reading, since it's something we can do together now.

It also helps him to understand my obsession with books, which I think he would have anyway, but we can share shelf space and compare books that we're reading. I always make a point of reading whatever book he's just finished because I like that we have a conversation about them when we're done. :-)

[Amy]

My significant other reads, but we almost never read the same things, as nearly everything he reads is WWII related. But, it's nice that we are both readers. When I was young, my family made fun of me 'with my nose in a book'. At least I don't get that now. Wherever we go, we always have emergency reading material.