What happens if you flip gendered book covers?
You are informed about a book’s perceived quality through a number of ways. Probably the biggest is the cover.
And the simple fact of the matter is, if you are a female author, you are much more likely to get the package that suggests the book is of a lower perceived quality. Because it’s “girly,” which is somehow inherently different and easier on the palate. A man and a woman can write books about the same subject matter, at the same level of quality, and that woman is simple more likely to get the soft-sell cover with the warm glow and the feeling of smooth jazz blowing off of it.
This idea that there are “girl books” and “boy books” and “chick lit” and “whatever is the guy equivalent of chick lit”* gives credit to absolutely no one, especially not the boys who will happily read stories by women, about women. As a lover of books and someone who supports readers and writers of both sexes, I would love a world in which books are freed from some of these constraints. Click here to read more about the perceived differences between ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ books.
This is a pretty interesting experiment from author Maureen Johnson.
I read this earlier today. Really, really worth looking at and thinking about. There’s a whole gallery of them.
What happens if you flip gendered book covers?
You are informed about a book’s perceived quality through a number of ways. Probably the biggest is the cover.
And the simple fact of the matter is, if you are a female author, you are much more likely to get the package that suggests the book is of a lower perceived quality. Because it’s “girly,” which is somehow inherently different and easier on the palate. A man and a woman can write books about the same subject matter, at the same level of quality, and that woman is simple more likely to get the soft-sell cover with the warm glow and the feeling of smooth jazz blowing off of it.
This idea that there are “girl books” and “boy books” and “chick lit” and “whatever is the guy equivalent of chick lit”* gives credit to absolutely no one, especially not the boys who will happily read stories by women, about women. As a lover of books and someone who supports readers and writers of both sexes, I would love a world in which books are freed from some of these constraints. Click here to read more about the perceived differences between ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ books.
This is a pretty interesting experiment from author Maureen Johnson.
I read this earlier today. Really, really worth looking at and thinking about. There’s a whole gallery of them.
Most days.
Huh.
This is perfect.
So many women in my life would identify with this.
(Source: heymonster)
You know you had a Catholic upbringing when somebody says “May the force be with you” and your instant reaction is to reply with “And also with you”.
accurate.
(via neobeat219)
I remember when I thought people in their 20’s were adults. Now all of my friends are in their 20’s and everybody is just kind of fumbling around bumping into each other, trying to figure out where the free food is……
so that’s pretty much what I’m expecting to experience for the next like 10 years.
the accuracy of this post is alarming.
(Source: locksandglasses, via givemestrength)
(Source: lifewithkitty, via academicchris)
(Source: afterstories, via academicchris)
shawn hunter and cory matthews: the ship that ships itself.
My favorite bromance of all time. THEY WANTCHUTOTAKETHAROLLLLSSS!
(Source: darrencirss, via antisocialsunite)
(Source: juliarte, via redsox861918)
