Do you think of gender when you pick a book?
As a reader of fiction books, I am inclined to read based on genre rather than gender, that is the gender of the writer. For the most part, my choice of relaxing reading books is in choosing genres such as thrillers and suspense, romance, or contemporary fiction. If I haven’t read an author I have to say I pick a book judging it by its cover and genre before even looking at the author’s name. I also follow recommendations from friends or magazines, blogs, and the like.
So, is there reader bias among readers? Some publishers seem to think so, specifically one contemporary writer comes to mind. As Connie Kirk states in “J.K. Rowling: a biography,” staff at Bloomsbury Publishing said it was best for J.K. Rowling to use initials instead of her first name “anticipating young boys would not want to read a book written by a woman.” I’d say they believe there is gender bias in readers.
For some reason through the years, I also thought I’d read that E. L. James, who wrote 50 Shades of Grey, did it for the same reason, fearing gender bias, but I have not been able to confirm it.
Get a book written by a woman today!
In any case, it seems they weren’t wrong. There was research carried out in Australia trying to confirm gender bias in the literature world. So the bias not only is from readers but also from publishers and editors as well. The news site The Guardian published in 2016 that female writers are still consistently being overlooked in the 21st century by publications.
Could it be because women writers are underrepresented? Perhaps.
Do you as a reader expect romance novels to be written by women only? If you like that genre, do you pick romance novels written by men? What about reading a suspense novel or a thriller? Contemporary?
To celebrate International Day of Women, I will list here a few of the women writers I read, and some I have not read, in different genres.
Sue Grafton: Though no longer with us, one of my favorite authors is Sue Grafton and her Kinsey Millhone Alphabet series. Any of those books make for a great read.
Patricia Cornwell: I will soon be reading “Livid”
Thrity Umrigar: Honor is a great book if you’re looking for contemporary fiction and want to learn more about a foreign culture. My Book Brief is coming up soon on this website.
I suggest you start reading this book during the day, More than you’ll ever know, by Katie Gutierrez is a page-turner. I didn’t want to put it down.
The Mystery of Mrs. Christieby Marie Benedict is a mystery.
Go ahead and get a book written by a woman today!
Ann Hoff-Fanaian
NOTE: This post was intended to be published on March 8, 2023, but due to techincal issues the post was moved from the main page here on this date.
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