Smart is sexy: how reading books can score you a date

13.08.15

Smart is sexy: how reading books can score you a date.

A novel new survey from dating site EliteSingles has revealed great news for those Kiwis who like to have their nose in a book: reading is officially sexy.

• 60 per cent of singles would prefer to date a book lover.

• Men are most attracted to women who read erotica.

• Women prefer men who read thrillers.

• 90 per cent of New Zealanders are avid readers themselves.

In a EliteSingles survey of 1700 people, nearly two thirds of those surveyed said they prefer to date avid readers. However, before singles pick up just anything to curl up with this winter, they need to take a minute to plan – for not all books are created equal and, in fact, it’s what you read that makes you attractive.

Putting the lover back in book lover, the survey revealed that men’s heads are most easily turned by women who read erotica: in fact, for 1 in 5 men, erotica readers are as sexy as it gets. In other words, if you’re a woman wanting to meet a man on your next commute, it might be time to put down the paper and pick up 50 Shades of Grey or some Anaïs Nin

However, single men looking to make eyes at the woman sharing the bus stop should take a different route. Women were not fans of erotica: just 6 per cent said they found men who read it attractive. Instead they prefer men of mystery, with 19 per cent picking thrillers as the sexiest genre a man can read (James Patterson and Ngaio Marsh, take a bow!).

EliteSingles psychologist Salama Marine says that singles love those who love books because ‘’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.’’

Of course, it could be more simple: like is attracted to like and, as it turns out, Kiwis like books! In fact, as the survey revealed, a whopping 90 per cent of New Zealanders like to read for pleasure. Furthermore, NONE of the Kiwis surveyed said that they view people who like reading as ‘boring.’

No matter what the reason, though, one thing is clear. To get in someone’s good books, you must first pick up a good book!

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