Books about Understanding Men

Guys and girls may appear to be on different wavelengths. Men seem interested in sports, cars and chasing girls, while women seem more interested in shopping, shoes and talking about feelings. Males and females are different, due to differences in their hormones, brains and societal roles. If you want to understand men better, self-help books can help you get a grasp of how guys think and how you can better interact with them.

"You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation" is a classic book for understanding how men and women communicate differently. Linguistics professor Deborah Tannen explains that, for men, talking is a tool for getting attention and conveying facts, while women use speech to gain rapport. She points out that although girls like to talk, guys prefer to build relationships by doing things together, which explains their interest in group activities such as sports.

Girls often don't understand why guys are obsessed with gadgets, but a book by best-selling author Bill Adler Jr. claims that understanding men's love of technology can give women insight into men's minds. "Boys and Their Toys: Understanding Men by Understanding Their Relationship with Gadgets" explains that guys' obsession with gadgets can reveal their innermost desires and needs. For example, your guy's desire to own the latest GPS system may reflect his need for freedom and independence, while spending time on a games console may be a way to relieve stress.

For "Have Him at Hello," matchmaking expert Rachel Greenwald interviewed 1,000 men who didn't follow up on a first date to find out what turned them off. Greenwald suggests that understanding what guys find appealing or off-putting can help you present yourself better on dates. The book, subtitled "Confessions from 1,000 Guys about What Makes Them Fall in Love...Or Never Call Back," proposes that when dating, men use stereotypes to evaluate women. Girls should avoid coming across as competitive, controlling, high maintenance or desperate.

Spending nearly two years on "The New York Times" best-seller list for hardcover advice, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” claims that men are simple creatures. Written by stand-up comedian Steve Harvey, the book asserts that men look to women to satisfy three personal needs: support, loyalty and sexual intimacy. Based on his experience of marriage and parenting, Harvey advises girls to set simple, but high, standards for guys they are dating. Asking a guy what his goals are and how he feels about you can help you know where you stand with him.