Readability is definitely subjective. For simple scenarios, I do prefer the extension method.

E.g. in my code, it would actually be like

   var males = customers.Where(c => c.IsMale);

vs

   var males = from c in customers where c.IsMale select c;

But often, queries are not that simple and in such scenario query syntax offers far more readability:

e.g.

   var filteredCustomers = 
                        from c in customers

                        join o in orders on o.customerid = c.customerid

                        where c.IsMale && c.Age > 30

                        where o.IsPending

                        select new {Customer = c, Order = o};

The corresponding extension method syntax will not be readable. In fact, I don't even know how to write that code off top of my head.

My point was that the whole purpose of query syntax was to improve readability and it was not about 'pretty' or 'clever'.