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

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

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 for their summer vacation read, 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 or beach vacation, 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 in the next train seat or adjacent pool lounger 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 Louise Penny, 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 goes on to add ‘’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, there could be a more simple reason: like is attracted to like and, as it turns out, Canadians like books! In fact, as the survey revealed, a whopping 90 per cent of Canadians like to read for pleasure.

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!

Press contact: Sophie Watson

EliteSingles Research Team

[email protected]

About the author: The EliteSingles Press Team

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