What was the last book you read where the protagonist was female? If it's been awhile, even just making your next book choice have a female lead or read a biography of a female would not be a bad start.
What about a book club with your daughters? Let them choose. My parents have been in a couple's book club forever and it is always a total joke when it is my dad's turn to pick-- his tastes are along the same lines as yours and the rest of the book club is more novels and literary fiction--but listening to him talk about a book he's read have honestly led to some of the most eye-opening and close conversations we've ever had. M
Dang, May, I laughed so hard when I read this! Really bust a gut! Not because it wasn't a good suggestion but because it wouldn't have occurred to me in a thousand years!
And ... to be honest ... the last time I recall reading a book where the protagonist was female might have been ... brace yourself ... high school. I think it was Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre or something by one of the Bronte sisters. I was a tech and math geek through and through back then and while I matured into a pretty good all-around fellow I just haven't ventured beyond my comfort zone. What I'm reading now is a history book about the Donner Party and my shelf is filled with biographies and WW2 and Churchill books. Just to give you more insight ... my favorite all-around read in the past 5 years was David McCullough's biography about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, maybe 700 pages. Now you know where my head is at on a normal day!
Reading with my daughters is a GREAT idea but neither of them are readers. Both are very social and when they aren't doing college work they are running around socially. But I will give it some thought for a way to connect. I am an avid outdoorsman and when we do have a full day we will often do some aggressive day hikes. But I get what you mean, this is not about quality time but about sharing something in the grey matter from their perspective, not mine.
Thanks for your thoughts about the vulnerable v wimp question. I'll answer that one after I do some reflection.
Final point -- are your Dad and I the same age? I'm approaching 60 pretty damn fast. I look good and feel young but it's still an awfully depressing milestone to be approaching ... especially now that I'm single again.
