We’re going to take a moment to talk about books. Those who know me know that my free time revolves mostly around reading my books. I’m a guy so I am well aware that reading as a pastime isn’t very common. Video games or sports, maybe, but rarely reading.

When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas, my mom expected a long list of books before I even sent it. There were 15 books just on that list, and that barely scratches the surface of the list I keep on the Goodreads app I use to keep track of my books. (For any and all book nerds, I highly recommend the use of Goodreads.) Most people my age, though (especially guys), if the majority of their presents consisted of books, they’d be rather annoyed. My belief, however, is that you can never have enough books!

That’s just me, though. Most guys are appalled at the idea of reading for fun or even just reading more than necessary. My AP Lit class in high school had very few guys in it and most of the ones who took it just took it for the credit -- and not because they wanted to read the books. Part of the reason more boys aren’t seen reading books for fun is because societal stereotypes don’t make that seem acceptable. Stereotypes make it seem like reading is for girls and “boy” activities involve video games, sports, and the like. While I still enjoy video games, I would choose reading as my activity of choice any day.

I think it’s a shame that boys frown upon their peers who enjoy reading. I remember all throughout high school that people would get annoyed at me for not talking to them during study hall because I felt like reading more than talking with people just to pass time. I would get called a nerd or a geek (and not the charming, friendly version) just because I get fascinated by the worlds I read about in books. The idea that books aren’t for boys is a new trend, too, as in the past it was common for boys to spend their time reading -- that was an opportunity offered to them and not to girls.

I call for a promotion of the fact that books are for boys too, and not just for girls. With the way trends are going, it will be almost uncalled for for boys to read books at all apart from English classes at school. With fewer boy readers, the fewer male authors you get, which means that fewer and fewer books are published that are geared for boys. Most young adult and even fantasy books these days have main characters who are female and are a wrapped up in some convoluted love story. News flash: Boys typically have no desire to read those books.

There has been a push for “boy” books, though, lately, a strong example being the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series written by Rick Riordan. The main character is, well, Percy Jackson. His love interest starts out as a friend and only a friend, Annabeth. It takes five books for Annabeth and Percy to even start dating. It takes nine books and over a thousand pages for Percy and Annabeth to declare their love for each other. And what were the circumstances? They were trapped in Hell, literally, and facing demise. But still the action and amazing storytelling is what drives boys to want to read books by Rick Riordan and similar authors. They feel connected to the books and not to a cheesy, overplayed love story.

If nothing else, I just want to promote the idea of reading for all genders, not just girls. Guys, there are books out there that you can relate to, even if they may seem outwardly like girly books. Pick up a book and read!