It’s true: women who read Jane Austen novels are sexy.

I’m probably in the minority when I write this, but there’s something attractive about a woman reading Sense and Sensibility. Despite an entire generation of women proclaiming her as the embodiment of chick lit, Austen’s novels exude intelligence, humor, and good taste—three attributes which last far longer than a flawless complexion and a great pair of breasts. But I’d be more moved to attempt some flirtatious banter with a woman reading Pride and Prejudice: the irony of the opening line hopefully wouldn’t be lost on her, and it might even make for an interesting conversation. At the very least, we might exchange a few witty barbs before she informs me, with twinkling eyes, that she has a gay friend who just happens to be single and, coincidentally, also loves Jane Austen.