On Getting Him to Read Fantasy Books

Looking for something new to read after finishing the Harry Potter series, I happened upon several reviews of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and decided it was about time I read those books. I'm glad I did. They were a wonderful read for someone like myself who not only loves fantasy, but writes it herself.

I've often tried to get my husband to read some fantasy, but he always insists he doesn't like it. (Though he does willingly go to fantasy movies with me -- the Harry Potters, the Lords of the Rings -- and enjoys them.) I tell him he's nuts not to try fantasy, because we have very similar tastes in other genres (mysteries, suspense, etc.) so I know what he might like. I tell him about the wonderful Pern books by Anne MacCaffrey that he really would enjoy (science fiction and fantasy combined in one series, how can you go wrong??).

I also tell him I wouldn't recommend a book to him that I didn't think he'd like. And I tell him he should listen to his wife.

I shouldn't have mentioned that last one to him. :(

But, I guess I finally pestered him enough that he gave in and (all the while muttering under his breath) started the first book in the Pullman trilogy, The Golden Compass.

He hasn't put it down yet. And he oh-so-casually asked me the other day about the remaining two books in the series.

I'm not going to say "I told you so." I'm not going to gloat. I'm not going to tease.

But I'm sure as heck going to leave those Pern books out again where he can find them. And if he reads them, and likes them, I'm going to smile to myself and chalk another one up for the wives.

Men. What would they do without us? :)