Real men read

HERE is a multiple-choice question worthy of any battle of the sexes quiz. What do women find most attractive in men? Is it (a) pumping pecs (b) bulging biceps (c) a boulder-like bum (as opposed to a builder's one) or (d) a tatty paperback poking out of his pocket?

Astonishingly, the answer could well be (d).

An NOP survey suggests a majority of women would be wowed (and hopefully wooed) by blokes who like books. The results found that:

85 per cent of women said a man could increase his chances of getting a date by talking about his favourite book

An equal amount believed a way to indentify shared interests was by looking at a man's choice of book

Almost six in ten women think men who read books are more interesting and intelligent while almost half think bookish blokes are more sensitive

A third say they would be more likely to make the first move to chat up a man if he is reading a book.

It's enough to get men running to their nearest book store.

Which is the idea of it all.

The NOP survey was commissioned by Penguin Group as part of its Good Booking Campaign to get more men reading novels.

It follows findings from the Literary Trust that four in ten men do not read books - which may put them at a disadvantage in the dating game.

Waterstone's book shop in High Ousegate, York, is supporting the Good Booking Campaign, which features a book of the month specifically aimed at blokes.

It launched in June with Nick Hornby's 31 Songs, and followed up this month with Melvin Burgess's Doing It, featuring the eye-catching cover of a woman with her knickers around her knees.

James Hunt, 24, a Waterstone's book seller, says the campaign is a bit of fun, but with a serious message.

"Men should read more," he says. "It's not just about pulling. Reading can improve you as a character and make you a more interesting person.

"It's about getting out there and sampling lots of different parts of culture such as music and DVDs."

Just as your CD collection might give insight to your personality, James says your choice of book can speak volumes too.

"If someone just reads Andy McNab thrillers, it tells you something about who they are," informs James.

To back up his point, he produces a list from the Good Booking Campaign which matches books with male personality types.

Disappointingly, Andy McNab doesn't feature on it, so we shall have to remain in the dark about what his male fans are made of.

However, the list does make for interesting reading.

Looking for a romantic Romeo? Then keep your eyes wide open for men reading The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald or Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

For a mysterious match, try to track down fellas deep into Bram Stoker's Dracula or Umberto Eco's The Name Of The Rose.

If you mind about his mind, then Michael Moore's Stupid White Men or Naomi Klein's No Logo should identify the Intelligent (but not in an intimidating way) type.

Brainy blokes who like to think will also be found perusing the pages of Herman Hesse's Siddharta, Albert Camus's L'Etranger and James Joyce's Ulysses.

Free spirits will be found with Alex Garland's The Beach or Jack Kerouac's On The Road in their backpack.

After some funny business? Fellas with a sense of humour will be found laughing out loud over Tom Sharpe's Blott On The Landscape and Joseph Heller's Catch 22.

For a more sensitive seduction, let yourself be drawn to guys engrossed in The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold or Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

For a flirtation with danger, throw yourself at any guy reading Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess or Atomised by Michel Houellebecq.

If you're glad to hang out with lads, then make a bee-line for anyone with Brilliant Orange by David Winner or Glamorama by Brett Easton Ellis in one hand and (presumably) a pint in the other.

Finally, if you are interested in things beyond your own back yard then look out for chaps drawn to World Reads such as No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith and The Famished Road by Ben Okri.

Which category does James fit into?

"Mmmmm," he ponders wistfully, then points to two: Intelligent (but not in an intimidating way) and Has A Sensitive Side.

Another question. Do women with books ooze the same sex appeal for men? Another ponderous pause from the intelligent (not in an intimidating way) and sensitive James.

"It's an interesting question and one we were talking about the other day. Jennifer Aniston is in a new advert where she goes into a book shop and asks for Proust. The guy suddenly takes note and says: 'Oh, you're into Proust!'

"I suppose if you wanted to find a woman who is intelligent, her choice of book might reveal something about her personality and set you thinking, but I don't think it's as important."

So when it comes to books and sex appeal it's the same old story: there's one rule for men, another for women.

For more details of the Good Booking Campaign pop into Waterstone's or visit the Penguin website: www.goodbooking.com

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, July 10, 2004