Lipstick, powder, compact, hairbrush, breath freshener, eau de toilette… the contents of a woman’s handbag are myriad and many. Now, according to a recent study reported in the media, if the woman in question wishes to be attractive to a potential mate, her handbag arsenal needs an essential addition: a book.

Dating app My Bae released a report indicating that those users who put reading-related tags in their profiles are more likely to find a match. Tags relating to books have created more matches than those relating to music, films and TV, and the profiles of users who declared reading as an interest were viewed for longer by potential matches.

The conclusion reached by My Bae, based on the findings, is that ‘the more you read, the more attractive you are to potential partners’. A slight generalisation, perhaps, but one can see the logic to it. My Bae also found that specific books bring people together (for example, a shared love of Game of Thrones), and that the most ‘attractive’ genres in terms of number of matches are psychological thriller, travel and – you guessed it – romance.

Honestly, this report doesn’t surprise me in the least, because when a person identifies themselves as a reader, a book lover, they are saying so much about themselves. They are saying, ‘I am a reader; ergo I am…’

* intelligent

* imaginative

* thoughtful

* focused

* cultured

* interested in the world around

The latter strikes me as particularly important. We all ultimately want to be with someone who is open to the world around them, and readers continually explore relationships and psychology and the big questions of life through stories and educational books.

Much has been written in recent years on the correlation between reading and mental health, to the point that some doctors now prescribe books to improve wellbeing. So it strikes me that reading is also an attractive quality for this reason: it suggests an ability to take time out and recharge, and to look after oneself.

Interestingly, My Bae reports that 64% of women users define themselves as readers, and only 39% of men. Is this a true reflection of readership? I suspect, in fact, some men simply don’t list reading as an interest, for fear that it makes them unattractive.

If that’s the case, perhaps this news will go some way to encouraging openness over reading. The article has sparked a lengthy debate over on Reddit (more than a thousand comments), with young men in particular considering the idea. (The comment ‘Good to know chicks dig books’ says it all.)

What do you think of this report? Do you agree that a love of reading is an attractive quality in a potential partner? Are there any books you’d be put off by? I would love to hear your thoughts.