2. Exactly. A lot of what I read, I pick up because it has lots of women (or is about one woman). It's annoying to find out creators suck.

3. This is a much more valid excuse than mine. ;)

5. I appreciate your book-reading, though. It gives me ideas of things to read myself (especially since the most current book I've read was probably one of Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion sequels)