What Do Ladies Read

 Seriously what do you read?  I’ve been doing some research, looking at what seems to be the most popular for women,  and what seems to come up is, Ok I’ll say it, ridiculous.
The books listed on the web that women should read have something to do with being women.  Be it about being a mother, the inner thoughts of a woman, the dark thoughts of a woman, the issues that women face of other races, losing a partner, or just being a woman.
 Do we read other things?  Of course, we do.  The problem is we tend to be static in our reading.  What fascinates me are grown women who will pick up books intended for a much younger group.  The reason for this mostly is that we don’t think there are books out there for women our age.  Most women don’t like horror, science fiction, or gruesome far, or at least that’s what we’re led to believe.  There are also few women who write in those genres because again we’re led to believe women just aren’t into that sort of thing.
 Ladies I can tell you that I know a few female authors who can scare the pants of you, and you won’t find one vampire, werewolf, or zombie in the bunch.  Try D. K. Mason, that’s one crazy lady when it comes to writing and she takes no prisoners.  Kenya Moss-Dyme reaches across many genres and she damn good, and that includes her horror stories.  There’s one young lady working on a book that when finished will take the gore and creepy level beyond anything a man has ever done.  I know I wouldn’t spend the night in the same house with her.  Love her to death but she scares the crap out of me.
 Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t just the horror genre that’s taking a hit when it come to women who write, especially independent authors.  There are women who do romance, erotic, and fantasy who are being held back because they’re women and independent.
 I know women read, but generally when I hear someone talk about what the ladies are reading it comes back to a few certain books and that about it.  I know differently, but no one talks about much of the other authors and their books which doesn’t help them.  How many of you who are reading this have recommended me to someone else, if you liked it?  What about Jane Doe, author, that did that awesome book about those two people falling in love?  Did you recommend her to a friend?
 Writing has been dominated by men for centuries, yet some of the greatest classics were written by women.  Remember Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, and others too numerous to mention?  One of the greatest fantasy/science fiction authors of all times was Anne McCaffrey.  How many of you have heard of her?  How many of you have read her?  I bet you know who J. R. R. Tolkien is though?
 Do you realize a woman using her whole name is more often than not a nail in the coffin of her writing career?  The next time you pick up a book with the initials of the author in front of the last name check out to see if it is a man or a woman.  There’s one in particular I could mention, but I won’t, and yes, I have read the entire series and loved it.
 For those of you guys who have bothered to read this, you think about it too.  I get that you might not be interested in a romance novel, at least you won’t admit it out loud, but the mind of a woman can be just as dark and scary as any man.  Actually, in some cases, I think we can be darker.  Don’t believe me?  I tell you what.  Si9t down with your partner and ask her if for some reason she were going to knock you off, how would she do it?  The first response you’ll probably get is; what the hell is wrong with you but watch her expression.  She’s thinking about it right at that moment.  Even if she’s never considered it before I promise she’s thinking about it now.  ‘How would I knock him off?’  Don’t be surprised if she come back to you in a couple of days and give you an answer.  Whether or not it will be a good one, you’ll have to wait and see.  If she doesn’t come back with an answer, you might should get a little worried.  I’ve got several stories where the wife knocks off the husband, no I’m not considering knocking mine off.  He’s my greatest muse, and I happen to honestly love the man.  Go figure.  Have you read the story about him almost giving me a heart attack?  I promise that’s not the only time.  Wait, maybe I should be worried.
 Anyway ladies, if you do find a relatively unknown writer that you like, female or male, spread the word.  Guys as least do it for the guys, since it’s not likely that you’ll admit you read something by a woman.  Yes William, my dear sweet man, I know you are an exception to the rule.