What your summer reading list says about you

As the long-awaited summer vacation approaches, many people eagerly prepare their reading materials to accompany them on their journey. According to Edgar Dubourg, a cognitive scientist at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, the book you choose for your summer reading list can provide insight into your personality.

Different genres of books are linked to specific personality traits. For instance, those who enjoy thrilling crime novels may have a heightened concern with threat and danger. This is not limited to traditional detective stories or psychological thrillers, but can extend to true crime, spy stories, and supernatural horrors, as seen in Stephen King's works. Popular titles in this category include "The Family Friend" by Claire Douglas and "London Falling" by Patrick Radden Keefe.

On the other hand, individuals who are drawn to romance novels may have insecurities related to their romantic relationships, platonic connections, and social status. Bestsellers in this genre include "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans and "Heartstopper Volume 6" by Alice Oseman.

Those who prefer science fiction or fantasy novels often have a greater preoccupation with the state of the world. If you find yourself immersed in the world of "Game of Thrones," known for its political intrigue, medieval battles, and mythical creatures, you may be someone who worries about climate change or the potential for war. Some popular titles in this category are "Duskbound" by Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox and "Red Dwarf: Titan" by Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall.

Interestingly, Dr. Valerie van Mulukom, a senior lecturer in psychology at Oxford Brookes University, suggests that our book choices can reveal our inner anxieties or existential insecurities. By analyzing how frequently someone engages with a particular genre, she has categorized readers into four distinct clusters:

1. Epic other-world adventures (action, adventure, science fiction, dystopian/post-apocalyptic, fantasy)

2. Everyday life and human relationships (comedy, romantic, drama, family, musical)

3. Threat and danger (true crime, crime/mystery/thriller, horror)

4. Facts and histories (documentary, biography, historical)

Regardless of the genre you choose, it is essential to remember that the narratives we consume - whether fiction or non-fiction - play a significant role in shaping our psychology. So, as you select your summer reading list, consider how your chosen book may be reflecting aspects of your personality and addressing your inner anxieties.