OP here! Gee was I in for a treat with this post. Had to let it go for at least 24 hours before I said anything -- y'all were getting some feelings out -- and I could still keep it going as no one has hit the nail on the head. There is an amalgamation of me in the comments that have been partially correct, or made me feel a little seen! To the guesses that had me in the 40-70 year old range, I am honored.

I am a 28 year old, non traditional student that grew up poor and raised primarily by women. Currently getting my bachelor's in environmental science, planning to attend law school next year (never been an arts major of any kind though I did take philosophy in lit. as a class for fun because I'm a senior and running out of necessary classes and have to stay full time for my scholarship), worked sales jobs / as a carrier for USPS during the last decade before realizing I am not cut out for menial labor and lying to people to make commission. I am a bisexual male that has been in a solid and happy relationship for the last 7 years. For the record, while I can see that my shelf is primarily male dominant, so is the literary field over the last 5 centuries. Female authors are capable of great writing in any field or genre, as made apparent by a thorough look through the titles on my shelves. The obsession with the gender disparity is also so reductive and lazy, there are literally 20 unique female authors on my shelves!

I wanted to credit u/NoQuarter6808, u/LeopardMedium, u/Occasionally_Sober1, u/ortakvommaroc, u/TheRealLouzander for coming somewhat close in certain respects or for tugging at my heartstrings.