Why men overwhelmingly don't read fiction

[@JigglyPKMN]

3 men is a really small sample size.

[@dontdoit6986]

And Amor Towles is an acquired taste, perhaps not for a general audience.

[@A.H._]

what do you mean 3 men aren’t an overwhelming majority? 😂

[@BookClubDisaster]

you wanted a segment where they interviewed 3,000 men?

[@xavierkane2532]

Not really. This is a journalistic segment, not an academic study or marketing research. As a fiction author I write knowing that roughly 66% of the people who are going to be reading my stuff will be women. That's what the market data says. So, this was pretty representative and good for what the intent of it was.

[@readwritejazz3483]

I am a man, and while I "overwhelmingly" read poetry, I generally read fiction, then philosophy.

[@nathanmarone]

Pragmatism is the issue. If I read non-fiction, I "learned" something. If I read non-fiction, I can be better at business or whatever. These things are true, of course, but they are not always the most important things. For me, fiction is pleasurable. But it also offers a kind of perspective-shifting that is difficult to get elsewhere. Fiction can give clothing to ideas and entrance to a worlds well beyond us. Reading widely takes time - I read a lot of fiction, poetry, theology, history, politics, and philosophy. Fiction isn't the only thing, but it has been the most central and consistent over my life.

[@dontdoit6986]

Character driven fiction is my favorite, especially as they navigate whatever life they are living and the issues facing them. Often, these stories are based off of real world events or inspired by them. Consider a book like the Martian. It’s just awesome.

[@t0dd000]

The payoff from reading fiction is not as immediately obvious. Fiction develops the human person. It's an investment.

[@zzzaaayyynnn]

Reading widely -- which I do -- does take time. But time well-spent.

[@lizzy-wx4rx]

It can also be deeply cathartic and even therapeutic. I read David Copperfield just for pleasure, but after recently experiencing a betrayal by a "good friend" so similar to what happens with one of David's friends (no spoilers!) the heartbreak he experiences was so moving and somehow healing. Great fiction can do that.

[@t0dd000]

@lizzy-wx4rx We are wired as a species for storytelling-creating, sharing, and experiencing it. It's fundamental to our psychology, both individually and as a member of the community of humans.

[@joncarroll2040]

"With non-fiction you can take it at face value" represents the biggest issue with our society today. Non-fiction is written with as much of a point of view as fiction and you need to be even more aware of sussing out what that is.

[@joeyq9953]

Fiction is so good for creativity and empathy. Not reading fiction is crazy.

[@robertferguson5562]

Fictions are for fools.

[@Mike-x5u7h]

Fiction is dumb, anybody can make stuff up.

[@seanwebb605]

I have read that fiction can do a great deal to increase empathy. But of course I read about it in non fiction books. Consider for a moment that the great works of fiction (and not so great works of fiction) have been adapted to the stage, television and film. So then my question to you is is reading not reading fiction crazy if you're getting it in other mediums?

[@kyleolson9636]

A nonfiction book on how to foster your creativity and empathy is 100 times better, though.

[@seanwebb605]

@@kyleolson9636 Ha ha ha. I love Paul Bloom's Against Empathy. If anything I think many of the comments on this video demonstrate that many think empathy is the only important thing in literature. Who is surprised that John Green continues to write YA where teen girls are confronted with so many rich and varying emotions? If the novel doesn't have some sort of call to action based on real world events like a Dicken's novel then you exercise your emotions for the sake of self gratification. It is a very private experience. Unlikely to make changes in the real world. Who is surprised that male readers have an interest in productivity?

[@KingofBattle8174]

I was in a male book club and i had to leave because all that was really was history and historical fiction. When i tried to change it up they hated the books. I tried American Gods by Neil Gaiman and it went horrible. The second was 11/22/63 by Steven King and one person refused to read any more once time travel was involved.

[@Extra_MSG]

Yeah sounds like the club was super out of touch. The entire publishing industry actually is out of touch as well especially with male tastes.

[@ericp1139]

Well, do women read those books?

[@S5King7]

11/22/63 is a great book and a great TV series! That person who wouldn't read it missed out. If they like historical fiction it was a good recommendation from you.

[@clav93089]

11/22/63 is one of my all-time favorites! Historical fiction with an element of fantasy (such as time travel) is a great genre. Babel is another example of that genre, and you learn a lot about linguistics along the way! I feel like most men I know do read fiction, but I guess I live in somewhat of a bubble with who I spend my time with.

[@ThePapawhisky]

I’m a man and I’ve read many great novels, mostly British. Authors like George Eliot and Dickens can teach us so much about life. I hope others will benefit from great writers.

[@samclegg4045]

Good for you!

[@maika0395]

Next step is reading more diverse authors, from different countries, eras, race, class and gender 😊 one can learn a lot by broadening one's horizon

[@seanwebb605]

Yes, but I also then read the books about Charles Dickens. Including the horrible things that he said about Inuit people regarding the lost Franklin Expedition. I make an effort to try to understand the time in which the author was working and their expectations and understanding of their intended readers.

[@Tolstoy111]

@@seanwebb605you can find stuff like that about anyone from the distant past. The work stands on its own and the impact of Dickens has been overwhelmingly positive.

[@ManoverSuperman]

@@maika0395Yes, but only so long as it doesn’t become “mandatory” in a person’s private reading.

[@artlesscalamity]

Chicken and egg problem: men are reading fiction less, so fiction oriented to men is not being published, so there is less modern literature to appeal to them, and round and round we go. This is sad because the whole point of fiction is to expand your perspective to a life outside of your own. It builds empathy and humanism. With a lot of men I think the culture and entry-points are lacking, while women enjoy a very robust book culture. Be the change, guys!

[@guyfierimtwi]

clap spam button

[@artlesscalamity]

@@guyfierimtwi ...do what now?

[@guyfierimtwi]

@@artlesscalamity Basically... 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I think your response was great!

[@gabrielperez5193]

I mean there are a bunch of fiction books out there with men as main characters. You just have to look for them.

[@guyfierimtwi]

@@gabrielperez5193 I read the alex rider series but romance will never appeal to men.

[@kurlykaitlyn]

Interesting. Most men in my life who read are reading a great deal of fiction. Especially sci-fi. I would have guessed male population read sci-fi more than any genre

[@HummingbirdG6843]

Agreed.

[@donello430]

the stats from this very video show 1 in 3 men read fiction. That's quite a lot actually, considering the huge array of entertainment options that are available now. The title 'men overwhelmingly don't read fiction' is totally misleading.

[@kellyd6619]

Yep, my husband and son both read fiction, especially sci-fi and fantasy. And I read non-fiction. I guess we're outliers. :)

[@seanwebb605]

@@donello430 The title should read "People Overwhelmingly Don't Read; Men Who Do Read Tend To Prefer Non Fiction"

[@angellover02171]

In group bias

[@sandbagger1912]

I work in a think tank. My days are filled with reading reports on national security and defense capabilities. When I get home, I want something that touches me emotionally. Thrillers are ok, but too close to my day job (i.e., Clancy, etc...). Some good mysteries here and there. Unfortunately, not many romance books for men, written from a male POV. I have found a few authors and genres I like, but it is a struggle to find the sweet spot. Therefore, I have taken to writing my own fiction. Books I want to read. Two novels published so far. Something I hope to continue once I retire.

[@erinlee5936]

Where can I read your books?

[@adcan1371]

I know exactly what you’re talking about. I hope to read your books and I help people read my stories too. I never thought about that, romance novels designed for men.

[@TimothyChenAllen]

I’m reading “The Silmarillion” which is about the most nonfiction fiction book possible

[@williamj7343]

Excellent choice!

[@nirajsolanki8725]

Nonfiction = Knowledge. Fiction = Wisdom

[@Mike-x5u7h]

Lots of wisdom in goosebumps and got.

[@amiram4608]

Because war and peace has no wisdom

[@teslagoth9401]

This comment = senseless

[@joeofmacabre07]

Actually you could also gain knowledge in fiction.

[@t0dd000]

I can't remember what famous person said it and I can't find it on the Internet. But the paraphrase is: Nonfiction builds your knowledge whereas fiction expands your mind. Very similar to yours. Maybe we are referring to the same quote? And, I would add that narrative nonfiction is more like fiction than general nonfiction.

[@SteveTalksBooks]

Lots of men are reading fiction, I have an online book club (podcast) and love reading. Historical fantasy/fiction is a good bridge for those who only read non-fiction.

[@seanwebb605]

How might I find your podcast?

[@SteveTalksBooks]

@@seanwebb605 it’s called Page Chewing or Speculative Speculations on any podcasting platform or here on KZbin too. We have a website and community forum, too!

[@michaelokeke4976]

I’m a guy and I have learned so much from novels, novellas, short story anthologies and plays than I did reading self help books and school textbooks. My favorite genres are high fantasy, sci-fi, horror/gothic fiction, mystery, psychological thriller, historical fiction and literary fiction. P.S just finished my sixth reread of LOTR Not all guys are the same. Some love fiction and some don’t. The same can be said for women too.

[@Mike-x5u7h]

Harris voters love fiction.

[@likemindsproductions225]

I recently began reading fiction this year, and I’m thoroughly hooked. I wish I had started reading it sooner. I’ve just finished Dune and am now engrossed in The Stand. Fiction is here to stay.

[@dontdoit6986]

I read 11/22/63 by Stephen King earlier this year. It was so good!

[@likemindsproductions225]

@@dontdoit6986 that's on my list too!

[@silentobserver888]

Ishmael- daniel quinn. The alchemist-Paulo Coelho

[@likemindsproductions225]

@@silentobserver888 The achemist is amazing! Never heard of Ishmael, gonna check it out.

[@adcan1371]

Respect, you read the heavy hitters. 📕 💪🏼

[@carneliancaryatid]

What very few in corporate publishing want to admit is that fiction geared toward men is being published less and less frequently. Authors and readers in indie spaces and among small and midsized publishers are talking about the overfeminization of fiction, but nowhere else. Men are being left out, plain and simple, and it's deliberate.

[@merusalem]

Spouse and son of a successful female author about fiction: "Why would I ever want to read anything that is not true and never actually happened? I am not interested in lies!"

[@natedogg890]

Its not surprising in our society, these men see reading as an avenue to self improvement, but they dont understand what self improvement truly is

[@philip7396]

My hesitation to fiction books goes back to middle school. When you get something out of the book different than what the teacher wanted you to. Our school did Accelerated Reader and I had trouble with the multiple choice quizzes where they picked out a specific part of the book you did not remember.

[@ivymoonstone8080]

Non-fiction = learning through information Fiction = learning through imagination.

[@Mike-x5u7h]

Fiction is just a way to propagandize while your guard is down and are more susceptible.

[@KOMET2006]

​@@Mike-x5u7h - NONSENSE. Non-fiction itself can be used as a way of promoting propaganda for readers who partake of it. Fiction - in particular, reading novels and short stories - frees up the imagination, stirs the emotions, and encourages creativity.

[@cXms-k8y]

Just say you are pretentious

[@cXms-k8y]

​​@@KOMET2006no with non fiction you can't promote propoganda even if you do it's harder But with fiction you can blend in with the story in the subtle ways

[@KOMET2006]

@@cXms-k8y- When it comes to non-fiction, you're wrong. The writer can come to produce a work of non-fiction that may reflect a bias that the writer sets out to legitimize during the research process.

[@sofyliciouss]

“First you have to teach us how to read” had me chuckling

[@theSantiagoDog]

why does this feel so condescending

[@marthajean50]

I agree completely, and I'm female. It came off as so patronizing. Men's and women's brains (generally speaking) are not the same. There are real, hard-wired, visible biological brain differences. If men aren't as drawn to fiction, there are likely very valid reasons for that. Lining the men up and pressuring them into reading books that a woman has picked out for them is just as insulting, IMO, as lining women up and pressuring them into reading non-fiction that a man has chosen for them. Preferring non-fiction or fiction isn't an error for others to fix from on high, but a preference to understand. There's an irony in everyone here saying fiction "builds empathy" while they applaud their fellow fiction lover's failure to empathize with someone else's personal preferences. But that whole empathy building claim is about CHILDREN anyhow! 🙄

[@GreatestAuthorinFlorida]

Thought the same thing.

[@yesimemoin0935]

Interviewer used to be an elementary school teacher; she talks to them like they're little kids

[@marthajean50]

@@yesimemoin0935 Explains a lot.

[@edubs9828]

Because it tip toes around every problem in the publishing industry about male writers being discriminated against. It somehow manages to dodge them all and put the blame on men for not reading recently-published fiction.

[@colinneagle4495]

I tried looking for local bookclubs on Meetup several years ago, and discovered that the half dozen or so in my area were all women only groups. I empathize with a desire for different communities to have spaces just for them, but the fact that no mixed gender book clubs existed at all in my city of half a million people surprised me.

[@JJ-nu8qi]

You can't underestimate the draw of video games that are taking a large percentage of men who probably would read if they didn't exist. Plus, you probably aren't going to see the types of stuff most guys would read on the shelf unless you go looking for it specifically. I read a lot and only recognized one book at Target the other day. The rest wasn't stuff I'd read.

[@jeffcurry1280]

The fiction publishing domain is female dominated by a ratio of 3:1 in the executive space, 4:5 in the publisher/editing space, and 3:5 in the authorship space. The major best seller lists are all female dominated at a 4:5 ratio. There is no question why men are not reading fiction as much in the modern era, fiction wants nothing to do with male readers. In the creative writing and publishing space, as well as the US MFA program space, men - particularly white men - have almost been completely squeezed out.

[@Himmiefan]

Funny how you equate being female-dominated with offering nothing for men. Women, on the other hand, have been reading male authors for decades. Maybe take your bias off and pick up a book.

[@jeffcurry1280]

@ just quoting NPR and their stats on the female-dominated fiction literature space.👍

[@edubs9828]

@@Himmiefan Society was supposed to make things equal, not take turns over who's turn it is to discriminate against. The problem people are referring to is that there have multiple instances of gatekeepers from the big publishers outright stating they will not even consider authors based on a specific gender and race. It's not right, no matter what gender or race.

[@Andrew-xl3gr]

​@@Himmiefan And men have always been reading Jane Austen and Mary Shelley and Virginia Woolf and the Brontes. I don't think it's sexism, or like an absolute refusal of men to read books written by women, but I still think the target audience for fiction has shifted.

[@ManoverSuperman]

@@HimmiefanMaybe you should take your own advice.

[@j.peaceo1031]

Well, we men like to live in the real world.

[@mimi21746]

I am a man and I only read factual books, it's always really hard for me to read fictional books, I think it's a male biological thing. I read economics, history, business and political books. Male brains are geared towards logic more. This happens with other art forms like Movies, it's so easy for me and my brothers to watch a movie about World War 2 compared to watching Harry Potter, some love story. It's not that I don't get human feelings but that the excitement builds up more with factual stuff, I kinda feel that I am not being thrown into some fake reality, IMHO

[@williamhenderson1521]

Just be happy they're reading.

[@theoblongbox4909]

If someone says they are big reader, but they only read non-fiction, I don't take them as seriously.

[@vevepriezviskova6909]

Why? I read 17 books this year, all nonfiction. I tried to read fiction so many times but I never get past 2 or 3 chapters. Most of the time, I know how the book is going to end after chapter 1. The plot is either cheesy and not realistic or way too realistic and depressing. I'm stressed enough in my own life, don't need to read more dark stuff. On the other hand, easy fiction is usually stupid and cheap. Overall, for me, there's nothing positive I get from fiction. On the other hand, non fiction makes me think. Reading about psychology helps me understand others and myself. History explains why the world is like it is... Fiction never makes me think about anything, doesn't help me understand either people or the world. Why say you don't take me seriously. Would you take an avid reader of Danielle Steel more seriously than me?

[@lukose2007]

Televised Sports like Golf, 5-Day Test Cricket , Tennis contain a lot of drama which is also found in Novels.

[@sancofasmoov5739]

Why are the men's reading interest treated as some sort of problem? They like what they like. Atleast they are reading. If they read comic books would this segment even exist?

[@simplemanchannel3318]

I recommend "The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs."

[@jimwoodswrites]

As a writer, this video truly saddens me.

[@Omnidragon00]

Fellas, pick up the Expanse series. 9 (almost 20) books of realistic science fiction. Big gun ship battles and believable interplanetary politics.

[@dontdoit6986]

For real, I am screaming at this video that the fantasy and sci-fi genre is incredible right now.

[@Himmiefan]

The Expanse is great. Scifi for adults.

[@beanie0026]

I will need to try this series. I am reading Fred Hughes Prince of Britannia series. Pretty good.

[@seanderoo37]

Finished Leviathan Wakes recently. AMAZING. The TV series is what got me to read them. Same with Silo on AppleTV+.

[@davidwarburton2915]

The Expanse is tremendous. It’s actually the first place I ever heard of Universal Basic Income as a concept. Beyond that, the science is pretty realistic. The story moves pretty quickly. I can’t say enough about The Expanse.

[@KOMET2006]

I'm a man who reads both non-fiction and fiction. When it comes to fiction, I love reading historical fiction❤. One of the best novels I read this year was "THE TROUBLE WITH YOU" by Ellen Feldman. Fiction suits me well because I have a lively imagination. 😊

[@magvad6472]

As a man, grew up reading fiction. Felt like "fiction was for kids" in that adolescent phase, so switched to classics when I read fiction. Now as an adult I'm doing some catching up on fiction and what turned me off as a kid was just lack of access to actually good adult fiction. I think as an adult what I was missing from my fiction was the world itself reflecting the story, something non-fiction can't really do. Having the worldbuilding, the landscape itself, the buildings and the way people talk be an active element of what I should pull from the story is way more intellectually stimulating and robust. I think for me, I just got bored of non-fiction and fiction stories focused around realism, not because the stories themselves were boring...but because you could tell the same story with so much more depth of artistic expression if you pulled away from reality and let the human mind build the entire tapestry.

[@ericp1139]

Boys were picked on as nerds when they read Lord of the Rings, Dune, etc. Now they’re being picked on for not reading those? Just can’t win.

[@zzzaaayyynnn]

I'm a university professor and voracious reader. Mostly read philosophy and history. Why? Those books seem important or real or "heavy." I read fiction at times, yes, a few novels a year maybe. Poetry is what I prefer to novels. Maybe because I seek for insights in great poetry. The story and character relationships in most novels sort of bore me.

[@chubbyboy2242]

I read exclusively fiction.

[@kenny_dreadful]

Hey Jenna, do comic books count?! 😉

[@shareofmoney]

I was thinking the same thing 😂

[@jennyl.3742]

Yes they do. Graphic novels can be just as developed as full on novels. Read all 43 volumes of Kentaro Miura's BERSERK. Guaranteed ALL THE FEELS EDIT: I cried.

[@HermosaFeCatolica]

⁠@@shareofmoneysame, sir! 😀

[@dontdoit6986]

Yes they do

[@BassGame1]

Wow the fact that these guys read ain't good enough? SMH. Now we gotta police wether they read Fiction or Non-Fiction.

[@plumerjr]

It's true I read mostly non-fiction(history,biography, politics, etc..). I read multiple books at a time(i rotate them) and usually have a fiction selection thrown in.

[@oeckstei]

Sci fi is great, the Dune series, Foundation etc…

[@Himmiefan]

The Expanse!

[@seanderoo37]

Silo!

[@chocolatespuds]

Noted that a) they never mentioned the name of the study in the segment, b) only picked men in their early 30s, and c) never mentioned comic books or graphic novels. There's a lot missing to this piece that's promoting itself as insightful journalism.

[@Tolstoy111]

Because graphic novels are not literary writing. The expressive content isn’t primarily literary.

[@ericp1139]

Feels like a paid ad by that author.

[@Nullifidian]

@@Tolstoy111 Most of what people read isn't literary writing. Most people read what are merely TV shows in book format with prose that can only be described as functional - the carthorse that pulls the plot points along. In terms of quality, a graphic novel isn't worse than a Harlequin romance novel.

[@Tolstoy111]

@@Nullifidian I’m not saying it’s bad…but the expressive effect is not achieved exclusively through language. So you can’t use strictly literary critical tools to talk about it.

[@Nullifidian]

@@Tolstoy111 And yet throughout the world's universities there are thousands of "film as literature" classes, showing that the tools of literary criticism can be adapted to a combination of words and images. But, really, who cares if you "can't use strictly literary critical tools to talk about it"? What does that have to do with reading it? Are you interested in reading or are you only interested in showing off? And even if you are interested only in showing off, surely you've got the ability to comprehend that this might not be _everybody's_ relationship to reading, and that by omitting a type of fiction that, statistically, more men read they've biased their segment and presented an inaccurate picture.

[@darcylauren1934]

Nonfiction is for those who want to affect being knowledgeable as nonfiction affects that it conveys true information about reality. Often these people state they don't read fiction as they believe the category does not convey any information about reality.

[@ToeStankin]

Having both in your arsenal can really elevate your game when it comes to life skills. You learn directly from Non-fiction, but fiction can help shift and mold your imagination which you can apply to developing new things or looking at things in reality from a different and more interesting perspective

[@shareofmoney]

I recently got back into reading rhis year and I don't have a nonfiction book. When I read, I want to gain knowledge and be inspired. To get my mind into a fictional realm so to speak, I use video games and movies to tap into that side of my brain, if that counts. Lol

[@dontdoit6986]

Have you read Mistborn? It has a hard magic system with known rules very similar to a video game.

[@Nullifidian]

I read fiction, but I read classic fiction, literary fiction from the 20th century (thank you, NYRB Classics), and books in translation because in the last couple of decades publishers of Anglophone literary fiction have prioritized unambitious, badly written slop. Even when it's not marketed as a young adult (YA) novel, many books have the feel of YA novels in terms of the simplicity of their language and conception. But I get bored out of my mind by books that are too simplistic, so most of my reading doesn't involve buying new books. I can buy secondhand or go to the library and get better deals than I would by buying new and have a better chance of finding stuff I actually like to read. Therefore, I'm probably invisible to studies like these that I would bet are more focused on spending rather than reading and on figures gleaned from traditional publishing rather than secondhand purchases or independent e-book purchases. Also, is this really a problem? Why is it that men are not allowed to be different from women without their differences being pathologized? If men generally prefer nonfiction, then fine. There's plenty of great, mind-expanding, empathy-building nonfiction out there. As much as I enjoy reading literary fiction - I'm currently reading _American Pastoral_ by Philip Roth in a copy I bought secondhand from a Friends of the Library book sale - I don't think that there's a single benefit one can claim on its behalf that one can't also get through the right kind of nonfiction. Artistic writing? Plenty of writers have written artistically in nonfiction. Cicero, Montaigne, Thoreau, Du Bois, Rachel Carson, etc. Moving accounts of everyday life? There are biographies and autobiographies aplenty that, if anything, should be more engrossing because the stories are true. Thought-provoking writing? What could be more thought-provoking than reading the views of the world's greatest philosophers? Or learning about a branch of science, medicine, history, etc. that is new to you? Or reading a landmark work of sociology? I just don't see why men having a preference for nonfiction is worth wasting the time of a national news program. But perhaps it was a slow news day.

[@MaryPearce-m2s]

The very obvious benefits of borrowing from one's local library were not mentioned. Librians in the fiction department love recommending books. Also one can borrow ebooks. Want a book at 3 in the morning? Download it. And the price is great: free.

[@silentobserver888]

Ishmael-Daniel Quinn. The Alchemist-Paulo Coelho. The Road-Cormac Mccarthy. Dune-Frank Herbert. The Foundation Series-Isaac Asimov. Game of Thrones- George RR Martin. A Wizard of Earthsea- Ursula K. Le Guin. The Metabarons- Jodorowsky & Gimenez. Berserk-Kentaro Miura. Vinland Saga-Makoto Yukimura. Vagabond- Takehiko Inoue. This is a list of both standalone fiction and series consisting of novels, graphic novels/manga but each is mature. All of them have something of value and meaning. Each of these I personally recommend to any man. It doesn’t matter if its, manga, fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian, each has left a permanent mark upon my mind, and soul. There is depth and emotion to each in their own respective ways. Some are way more action oriented than others. Regardless I urge my fellow men to read fiction.

[@kellyd6619]

I'm a woman and I like reading non-fiction. It's hard to find fiction that appeals to me. But I do enjoy reading biographies, and they often read like a story. Right now I'm reading Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson. I wonder what fiction Jenna would recommend for me.

[@AetheriusComics]

Last time I checked, men read tons of sci-fi. So, I don't know what this is.

[@jamesigoe]

Copilot: Scholarly research provides several insights into why men tend to read less fiction compared to women: Cultural Perceptions: Fiction reading is often perceived as less productive or frivolous, which doesn't align with traditional masculine ideals. Habit Formation: Men are less likely to develop a habit of reading fiction, especially after childhood. This lack of habit can persist into adulthood1. Preference for Non-Fiction: Men often prefer non-fiction books related to self-improvement, career advancement, or personal growth. Time Constraints: Busy schedules and demanding jobs can limit the time men have available for leisure reading. Lack of Exposure: Men may not know what fiction books to read or where to start, making it harder to develop an interest in fiction. These factors contribute to the gender disparity in fiction reading habits. Encouraging men to read fiction could offer benefits like increased empathy and a broader perspective on life.

[@christinelagueux8155]

You had me at classic novels

[@Arven8]

As a youth, I read fiction (mostly SF, some literary) but spend most of my adulthood reading non-fiction, because it helped me learn and grow as a person. It shaped my life in so many ways. Now in my later years, I'm trying to get back into reading fiction. The main benefit I get from well-written novels is that they can give me a vicarious experience of very different sorts of lives than my own - lives that I would never get a chance to experience otherwise. The second main benefit is just simply entertainment - being introduced to interesting characters and then carried along by a good story. I've learned that many genres (e.g., SF, fantasy, horror) don't appeal to me, because I need something that feels grounded in reality, or else I wonder why I'm bothering. I have found some novels that have really appealed to me, though. For example, Pillars of the Earth, Lonesome Dove, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Revolutionary Road. I'd recommend any/all of those to any man. I also like Elmore Leonard for page-turning crime novels with good characters and sharp dialog.

[@BookClubDisaster]

Men don't understand there's a lot of fiction in non-fiction. Often they are books bases on a thesis--which is just a better thought out opinion. Many times their thesis is debatable at best especially over time. Another brand of non-fiction is the bio. When people--especially famous people--write memoirs they often curate things too much so you will like them. So are you really getting a TRUE picture of them? Or bios based on historical figures where access to them is based on letters, 3rd party reports......legend. So is is that "true"? Meanwhile fiction writers OFTEN base their stories on real life things. That might be their own life, the people around them, or just things they read or heard about. And they often tap into a level of psychological and emotional truth that most non-fiction can only dream of. TLDR: There's a lot of fiction in non-fiction and there's a lot of non-fiction in fiction. But guys create this false dichotomy of "real" vs. "fake."

[@TheGhostOfTomJoad88]

I love this... I'm in the military and often see recommended reading lists come out from senior leadership, and it's always full of military-esque self-help and leadership philosophy titles. On a deployment last year, we were given a similar list from some of the senior leaders on what they recommend to read during down time and it was much of the same... For the 52 personnel in the squadron I was in charge of, I decided to add "The Way of Kings", by Brandon Sanderson to that list and challenged any who decided to read to it to imagine themselves in some of the situations of some of the main characters and how they would have led under the same circumstances. I'm honestly not sure how many of them actually took me up on that, but I did get one guy who had read the series get really excited and second my recommendation haha. I'd love to see a push toward developing more empathy and broadening perspectives through reading fiction. =)

[@RealtorNickCurtis]

I read Colin Powell’s autobiography and remember him describing how he read Fitzgerald’s “Tender is the Night” and other classic literature on his deployments.

[@McNgotonie]

The fact that she went and gave everyone a book is amazing, no excuses there.

[@lorenzozapaton4031]

>"why men overwhelmingly don't delve into one of the most woke infested hobby in the planet?" I wonder that too...

[@zionengine]

As a group, men want to read things that show us what to do, how to become alphas. We're afraid that reading for entertainment or to feel something lessens our manhood.

[@star999nine]

Funny how Jenna Bush led this discussion. She's a big part of the reason why fewer men read contemporary fiction. With social media having reached critical mass, most people read titles that are currently being discussed by others. So when celebs like Jenna Bush, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah make suggestions, those books become instant hits. Except these celebs almost always select novels written by women and centered around a female protagonist. On top of this, the entire publishing industry has shifted strongly toward female-centric novels. 70% of agents and editors are female, and they're very well aware that the majority of literary fiction readers are women (most book clubs are entirely made up of women). Even genres that have traditionally been dominated by men, such as science fiction and thrillers, have in the past couple decades leaned heavily toward female authors. So there's nothing surprising about this development.

[@darinherrick9224]

I only read scifi and fantasy non-fiction, and even that it's about 90% lousy an 10% worth reading. And direct publishing on Amazon from an unknown author I like better than big name authors 90% of the time.

[@Gwyndon]

42 yo male. I read 75-100 books a year. Maybe 5 are non fiction

[@GreatestAuthorinFlorida]

Fiction is awesome, well, good fiction anyway. Side note: men are usually more receptive to book suggestions when the suggestions come from other men. Men and women are different.

[@BookOfWorms]

Let me correct you: there are plenty of fiction reading men. We’re just not reading a lot of the mainstream fiction, because WE ARE NOT THE TARGET AUDIENCE!

[@rvaldrich]

This was...terrible. This was horribly banal, uninspiring, and frankly condescending. Was this supposed to be journalism or some kind of bizarre hit piece meant to shame men? From the music to the graphics to the pacing of the 'interviews', this was just...bizarre.

[@Himmiefan]

It's morning TV.

[@farcinue]

Carson should also check out A Visit from the Goon Squad since it revolves around a music manager. I remember my hs English teacher telling us that the difference between a novel and a book was character development. In a novel, the character learns and grows, in a regular book the character is already set. For the reader, a novel makes you think and grown too.

[@walkerzupp8393]

The new novel of Frederick Douglass's life by Sidney Morrison is one of the best novels I've read. No wasted space or words, just a brilliant evocation of that time in America's past, and an excellent character study of a complicated group of people.

[@uter]

Judging from this segment, the answer seems to be that they're intellectually lazy. Eschewing fiction is the flipside of not exercising, just not as outwardly apparent.

[@nathanmarone]

I think they are just more pragmatic in their approach to reading, not lazy.

[@uter]

@@nathanmarone 0:52 “I think, with non-fiction, you can take it at face value. But with fiction, it’s a new way of sort of interpreting things. It kind of questions how you think about the world around you, and I think sometimes that’s great, and that’s why I like reading fiction. But sometimes at the end of the day it’s _easier_ just to, like, read something that’s a little bit more straightforward.” One of them actually says it outright, and these guys are pretty well put together.

[@dontdoit6986]

To be fair, fiction is basically like watching a movie or long tv series. Some of it can be great. Some can be terrible.

[@OkamiRose]

Nonfiction can be just as horrible. Ill-present facts, cherry picking, everything that can be wrong with scientific research can be written or have flaws in nonfiction books.

[@nathanmarone]

@@uter Sure, but that's not lazy. If you are actively trying to learn something or to improve yourself through reading, you can hardly be called lazy.

[@AmeliaHuckleberry]

This reminds me of something I learned about a while back--bibliotherapy. I always thought it would be the perfect job to "prescribe" books for people after talking with them for a while about their lives, tastes, etc. How fun Jenna is!

[@RealtorNickCurtis]

The flip-side of this story is being a male who reads fiction and is an English major. You’re outnumbered by females at least 3 to 1 in your classes … and you love it.

[@joshuapierce3085]

The problem I, as a man that loves to read and write fiction (especially fantasy) have is that I can't find any NEW fantasy that looks like it's aimed at men. As several videos here on KZbin have pointed out recently, you go to most stores that sell books and the vast majority blend together. You can't tell the fantasy from the romance, and I'm not big on romance. I have to go to used book stores to find any fantasy that actually looks like interesting to me or skip physical and go with either e-books or audiobooks (which I have recently given a shot and do love, though it's still not the same as reading a physical book). I got tired of all the books coming out at the same time that were all written to trend with little variation.

[@susanbrennan5511]

My favorite authors can make me gasp when a twist happens, my favorite authors can send me to places I’ve never been and describe the beauty so I can see it in my minds eye, my favorite author can transfer me to another time. There is still history but it is personalized. It tells the story of a people through characters you grow to love. One of the best books I’ve ever read was The island of the sea women by Lisa See. It is written with history in mind on Jeju island in Korea which is a unesco world site yet it places characters in the story that you fall in love with. There was recently a documentary about this island and how the sea women are growing older and there are not many to take their place. That is what fiction can do. Tell history with vivid characters that transport you there.

[@barefootalex]

Can't imagine a world without Cormac McCarthy "The Border Trilogy". Looking forward to years of rereads!!

[@seanwebb605]

The Road.

[@rushrush1209]

Men don't start book clubs (for the most part) because they have other interests that they prefer. Men prefer sports, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, cars, computer programming, fixing their car or home, etc. We have to accept that men and women think differently, and have different needs.

[@mandomaxx]

Wow ... What a let-down. With a title like "why men don't read fiction," I expect some statistics and a hint as to the reason why. Not a cutesy book club plug.

[@clav93089]

Fiction can help you better understand and experience the real world too. When someone says that social media algorithms make us feel like we're living in 1984, you can understand the point and the consequences. When you hear someone say that we need to put God first in government, you can think of how that worked out in A Handmaid's Tale to understand how that might not be a good idea. History lessons can work too, but fiction can be a more memorable, immersive, and fun way to learn about the world.

[@olenskafanboy]

As a man who's been reading fiction since I was a kid, I can attest to the truth of most of my guy friends not reading much fiction. I wish it wasn't the case and I try to get them to read more fiction but, it's not working.

[@adcan1371]

Dear Today Show, please don’t put the message out there that to read fiction is “unmanly”. Please don’t. We already have too many guys thinking they’re total losers because they’re not movie star famous with a six figure salary. You could’ve made this about “what men love about fiction/reading” but you didn’t.

[@johngsennettsr6937]

As a non-fiction writer, I find that I occasionally have to read fiction to understand the world better. I guess you would call it "mining", but it all depends on the current situation of any person's life. Personally, I think we dudes don't really read for escapism as much as we want insight on life and all its light and dark corners. Ok. If you make it a Cigar, Whiskey and Book Club, you'd probably hit a home run. Keeping it real in Kyiv.

[@UdochiOkeke]

I have tried to convince my brother that there are benefits to reading fiction to no avail.

[@Rnerdy197]

Alot of men read fiction I myself haven't read a single book that's nonfiction going only by what 3 guys say is a bad example

[@PhreshNicky]

I’m a man and I almost exclusively read fiction.

[@Taysbookbabel]

Super interesting! I have also found that a lot of my male acquaintances tend to enjoy nonfiction more than fiction!!

[@mattcup8541]

I just can’t take her voice, holy man

[@bryedtan]

I work in a bookstore not in the US mind you but in Southeast East Asia in the Philippines. Now yes more males may not always look for fiction books but they do read fiction books. I do not think it is they do not read fiction but rather the genre in fiction. Based on my experience in recommending the titles they would like to read in fiction but it is usually grounded in some form of reality in particular authors like Raymond Chadler, Mickey Spilane, in more modern authors like John Grisham, Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, Lee Child, Daniel Silva, James Patterson, Michael Connolly, Robert P Parker, David Morell, Richard Thorpe, Clive Cussler, and others. So it depends on the story something not too fantastical but a bit more realistic. This is not to say they do not like Sci Fi or Fantasy they do but less Sarah J Maas' Court of Thorn and Roses and more George R Martin's Songs of Ice and Fire. In particular the work of S.M. Stirling's Dies the Fires series Harry Turtledove's alternate history books. So they do but just not as emotional or fantastic as what the Booktok crowd would recommend. To say they are not willing to read a female author. Although hesitant when I mentioned Dame Agatha Christie's works most would give a try and many comeback wanting to read more. So it is about the way the fiction is written and what is the story rather than anything else.

[@mohamadfirdausbinmat2577]

As a man, i love reading fiction more than non-fiction. I don't think reading should become a case of social construct or a discussion point on which one is better & more-fulfilling than the other. I love reading fiction because i'm always in love with stories & the art of how the story is told. Non-fiction in the case of memoirs & true crime books is also my go-to as it follows a similar pattern albeit a different approach and intention. I also enjoy myself reading non-fiction on topics that pique my interest like nature, mental health, language & seldomly sports. I mostly read non-fiction to widen my knowledge on certain topics or to learn more information on it to gain better understanding for both individual pleasure or academic-related purposes. Both fiction & non-fiction may orbit on more differences in needs & fulfillment than it is with similarities but one constant thing that reading will do & will always do is widening your knowledge & understanding on something in more than just one perspective. Fiction encourages the readers to synthesize what they read & implement the values gained into their personal lives it also trains an individual to develop empathy towards these fictional characters as well as bridge understanding on these characters' actions. Non-fiction also encourages readers to gain knowledge & values into their personal lives but it works in a pretty different way than fiction (sometimes pretty similar too). Reading should be a personally fulfilling experience for everyone & the choices in reading material (especially categories) should never be dictated or reduced towards what the societal expectations ought for you to do. You know what speaks for you & what you look for in your reading journey. Others hold no rules for what is right for you ❤

[@karlstrauss2330]

If a fictional book is any good, they’ll turn it into a movie or TV show

[@VMSelvaggio]

I read voraciously, but I read at my pace. I am not a speedy reader, but I remember EVERYTHING that happened in what I read recently. I don't join bookclubs because I would have to read a lot faster to keep up. My wife always says she can read a book and then two or three days later she can re-read it and it is like a new book, because she doesn't retain it long-term. I actually tend to gravitate (no pun intended) toward Sci-fi and Epic Fantasy novels, especially older stuff from the '70s - '90s. I also love Gothic Horror, like Dracula, Carmilla, and stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Clark Ashton Smith, and Algernon Blackwood. When publishers start balancing the scales back the other way, to include teen boys and young men in their Book marketing, I think the perception that men don't read will feel less like truth. In my experience, a lot of guys I know read things that build their practical skills and knowledge, like tech manuals, cookbooks, auto-repair guides, home repair books, and books about current events in World economy and politics. They don't have time for leisure reading (Fiction) if they work all the time.

[@dontdoit6986]

I appreciate this. Have you read any modern fantasy? There are some great fantasy book youtubers

[@PieceMeals]

Many of you just hate women and think we're getting something you're not yet Nobel prize for lit go to men, most prizes like the booker go to men, men are seen as the greats of fiction writing bar Virginia Woolf, Austen, the Brontes, Shelley and Margaret Atwood and there are tons of male authors out there dominating every genre of fiction. Publishing really doesn't pander to women like you think. The publishing houses don't deliver pink boxes wrapped in pink bows to our houses like reading fairies. Booktok isn't publishing. That's where I see these authors like Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J Maas being pushed, by ordinary readers. There's no conspiracy to stop men reading the tons of fiction written by other men every month of the year. If you want to read fiction, you will.

[@peterreed9566]

I don't read fiction because as the characters are not real what happens to them doesn't matter and it's for that reason I can't get invested in them. It doesn't help that I can't visualise and therefore I am unable to create stories, words pictures in my head. Also when I do rarely pick up a fiction book I always read the last chapter first and if I don't like the ending I see no point in reading the rest of the book. Life is too short to be wasting my time reading fiction.

[@primo.optimus]

I'm looking for a novel with a main character whose father is a war criminal. What do you recommend?

[@AlexanderLaurence]

Where's the Nabokov?

[@jamesthegreat3072]

Tom clancy, Lee child, dan brown... come on Gods of gotham was good. Timothy wilde was a good character

[@dayphantasm]

I wondered why this piece did not offer indepth insight. Then I realized the Jenna Book Club is competing against the GMA Book Club. Capitalism tricks me again!

[@everthealtruist]

In fiction, the world or circumstances may not be relatable, so you have to relate to characters in a world or circumstances that aren't relatable. I'm a man and we have a hard time with empathy at large.

[@rinsolaris2284]

As a woman who almost always reads non-fiction, I always felt the odd one for being the only girl who reads non-fiction in the office.

[@174mars]

As a book guy. You don’t give a book written by men to read. You have to drop them in a book store and let them find the book. It will make them respect it

[@carlgrimeseyepatch27]

this is a cute little interview. Fiction makes me really happy but i also love nonfiction. Delving into both is so stimulating.

[@DC70182]

As a man who just got into reading this year I can say I too do not read fiction books lol

[@erictheisen3203]

My mom love classic novels including Stephen King.

[@seanwebb605]

Stephen King isn't among the classics.

[@alt9977]

"The Gods of Gotham" sounds like it could be very similar to Dennis Lehane's "The Given Day" (but set in early 20th century Boston). Lehane's book is part of a trilogy, but the first novel can be read as a stand alone.

[@myradioon]

I'm a man and nearly only read fiction especially Short Stories. Lucia Berlin is hands down my favorite writer. Most fiction is not really fiction but based on the author's life experience.