> > I don't know how typical a reader I am. I'd say fairly typical. I certainly don't look for male role models when I read. I look for characters I can understand or sympathize with, or I find compelling. For instance, a recent example is Matt from the Wheel of Time series. I wouldn't like to be like him or emulate his life. But he is interesting to read. Unfortunately Jordan seems to make all his females the same, which is a put off. If I read a book and I get zero out of it, either from the setting or the characters, I drop it. An interesting setting will make up for any short comings. One example that comes to mind is (forgive me Pamela!) is the Secret Country. Now there is a great setting with characters that do the job but aren't exactly memorable. I read the series because I liked the setting and the ways the characters interacted with it.