Friends with authors
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:33AM I had an interesting exchange with a friend recently about books for women. One of the ideas that my friend suggested was that because women are apparently more relationship-driven, we will tend to read the books written by women with whom we can see ourselves being friends.
So, that means Stephen Charnock is probably not a favourite among women, because not only is he dead, but he's rather long-winded, and we may not feel an affinity with him. The same may go for someone like D.A. Carson, who while living, is not only a man, but someone who writes difficult theological books. My friend's assertion is that almost all theology books are "dry."
I find that rather fascinating. It bears a lot of thought. Women buy lots of books. Women buy lots of Christian books. Is this why some female authors are more popular than others?
I tried to think about some of the books I've enjoyed over the past couple of years. I've met two of the authors of books I've read recently. I knew them both before I read their books. I read their books because I knew them and their writing, and could see easily how their books would be good.
I'll continue to mull that idea over.
All Random All the Time
Reader Comments (5)
Huh.
I actually prefer to read books by authors I never would have been friends with, but maybe that's because my women friends all thing theology books are "dry". LOL.
Daisy! Are you back? I've missed you!
I'm just limiting my online time. I've still got you in my Google Reader though. ;-)
I tend to read theological books written by men based on the subject matter. I'm a rather "dry" unsentimental soul myself, so I don't feel the need to relate to the author. I just want the author to tell me the truth. Plus touchy-feely gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I must confess that get bored with gender specific books - I mean how many different ways are there to take a spin on Titus 2 anyway? How bout just obeying it. There's a novel idea.
Feeling a little cynical tonight I guess.