With so many kinds of books across all platforms, do you find it difficult not knowing what to choose? Do you like reading fiction but can’t decide which type of book genres suit you best? Buckle up, book lovers! Today we’ll dive into various book genres in fiction so that the next time you visit a bookstore, you know precisely which rack to check.
First off, the boundaries for defining a book are broad. And with overlapping plot points, fitting a story into one genre can be challenging. Though the classification of genres covers a wide scope, these factors can mainly help us determine it: format, backdrop, target audience, and primary storyline.
Now with that cleared, let’s whoosh into the 20 most popular book genres in fiction!
#1 CLASSICS
These are basically the grandparents of all the books because they are old and have laid the foundation of current books. You might have read them in school. These are a constant source of tension for Literature majors. BUT! They are far from the presumed sluggishness caused and actually make for a good read.
These make you understand the different social customs of that time and are universally relevant even today. They are termed “Classics” because they were considered ground-breaking during their publication, are widely read, and are timeless.
Book Recommendations
Jane Austen
Harper Lee
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott | Buy now
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Buy now
- Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley | Buy now
- The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien | Buy now
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | Buy now
In images
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Buy now
- Beloved by Toni Morrison | Buy now
- To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee | Buy now
#2 FANTASY
Ah, magic! One of the most popular Fiction book genres, Fantasy includes supernatural, mythical, mystical, and other-worldly elements. The most common terms associated with fantasy books are “world-building” and “magic.”
There are various sub-genres like dark fantasy or gothic fiction (darker subjects with gloomy and frightening tone), heroic fantasy (heroic adventures against a fantastical backdrop), fairy tales (hello, Cinderella), low fantasy (real world with magical elements), and high fantasy (magic, magic everywhere!).
Book Recommendations
George R. R. Martin
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern | Buy now
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Percy Jackson franchise by Rick Riordan | Buy now
- A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin | Buy now
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll | Buy now
#3 SCIENCE FICTION
With a high-fi title as sci-fi… sorry, bad joke. Anyway, this is not to be confused with fantasy. While both are imaginary, fantasy is purely magical, while sci-fi novels are based on advanced science and technological concepts.
These are set in highly futuristic times with what-if scenarios, often containing concepts of aliens, outer space, alternate realities, extreme technological advancements, and everybody’s favourite solution when things go wrong: Time-travel!
Book Recommendations
- Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel | Buy now
- The Time Machine by H.G. Wells | Buy now
- Curse of the Iris by Jason Fry | Buy now
- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov | Buy now
- Hyperion by Dan Simmon | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- Dune by Frank Herbert | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell | Buy now
#4 DYSTOPIAN
This can be loosely defined as a sub-genre of science fiction. But, unlike the sub-genres of fantasy, this is a standalone genre. Simply put, all dystopian novels are sci-fi, but all sci-fi novels are not dystopian.
These are set in a future imagined to be overthrown by oppressive governments, ruled by environmental destruction, and the aftermath of it all in a grim society. Margaret Atwood has entered the chat.
Book Recommendations
Suzanne Collins
James Dashner
- Divergent by Veronica Roth | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley | Buy now
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess | Buy now
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#5 ACTION AND ADVENTURE
These typically follow the storytelling of the “Hero’s journey.” The protagonist is on a mission, probably a world-saving one—because hey, he’s not a couch potato like us—and goes through numerous hurdles, near-death situations, and everything that can keep readers on top of a roller coaster.
These can sweep into other genres like sci-fi, romance, and thrillers and are packed with, well, action and adventure.
Book Recommendations
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel | Buy now
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville | Buy now
- Origin by Dan Brown | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson | Buy now
In images
- The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe | Buy now
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#6 MYSTERY
Murders in mansions, disguises, cat-and-mouse games, unusual disappearances, detectives, suspicious possessions, questions, questions, and questions, and plot twists that make you go damn… Sounds intriguing? Then this genre is for you.
Mystery—a word that can bring Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle back from their graves—is a genre that typically follows the protagonists’ journey of solving a mysterious case. It leaves many clues for the readers to solve the case too, and the plot is usually quick-paced and engaging.
Book Recommendations
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler | Buy now
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain | Buy now
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins | Buy now
- The Detective by Roderick Thorp | Buy now
In images
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | Buy now
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Case Histories by Kate Atkinson | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#7 THRILLER
Thrillers and Mysteries are two peas in a pod. They are both fast-paced and have gripping storylines. However, the protagonist in a thriller may act to save his own life rather than solve a crime. These are usually more psychological and suspenseful, complimenting the tension using great danger, deception, dark characters, and cliffhangers.
Book Recommendations
Dan Brown
Ruth Ware
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins | Buy now
- Dark Matter by Blake Crouch | Buy now
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides | Buy now
- That Night by Nidhi Upadhyay | Buy now
- A Mother Would Know by Amber Garza | Buy now
In images
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | Buy now
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware | Buy now
#8 HORROR
Get ready for a sleepless night. These books are written in a terrifying and nightmarish form meant to scare the readers. They include supernatural elements and paranormal activities that are sometimes a littlee too realistic. If you’re really into ghosts, demons, vampires, the occult, or other spooky things, you might want to read Stephen King books, the master of horror fiction.
Book Recommendations
- The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- It by Stephen King | Buy now
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman | Buy now
- Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons | Buy now
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier | Buy now
In images
- The Shining by Stephen King | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Dracula by Bram Stoker | Buy now
- Salem’s Lot by Stephen King | Buy now
#9 MAGICAL REALISM
Though this term is used under fantasy, magical realism differs from it in a way where there’s a real-life setting with a fantastical touch. Here, mystical elements are not special but a regular occurrence in the characters’ lives. Many authors have used this kind of storytelling to highlight serious social concerns.
Book Recommendations
Haruki Murakami
- The Famished Road by Ben Okri | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov | Buy now
- The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey | Buy now
- The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson | Buy now
- The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz | Buy now
In images
- Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami | Buy now
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez | Buy now
- Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#10 ROMANCE
I know, I know. It came very late on the list. Romance is present in many other genres’ plots that it’s hard to ignore it. And when the story itself is based on the romance between the protagonists? Ah, glamorous! You fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other and then fall in love with their love story… it’s all about love.
Romance readers mostly use the term “tropes” to specify the kind of book, like enemies to lovers, star-crossed lovers, forbidden love, second chance romance, fake dating, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and many more. So, you can find anything to suit your taste.
Book Recommendations
Madeline Miller
Emily Bronte
Nicholas Sparks
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon | Buy now ; Complete Collection – part 1 | Buy now ; part 2 | Buy now
- A Knight in Shining Armour by Jude Deveraux | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry | Buy now
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood | Buy now
In images
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller | Buy now
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte | Buy now
- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#11 YOUNG ADULT
One of the most popular Fiction book genres currently, Young Adult or YA novels’ primary target audience is teenagers, typically between the ages of 12-18, and they follow the stories and lives of teenage characters. Nevertheless, they can be read by the older audience too.
They are also called “coming-of-age” novels. They portray the challenges, emotions, relationships, and development of teenagers.
Book Recommendations
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles | Buy now
- Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt | Buy now
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini | Buy now
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger | Buy now
In images
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky | Buy now
- The Fault in Our Stars Lot by John Green | Buy now
#12 NEW ADULT
This is the aged-up version of YA fiction. NA books follow characters aged between 18-25. College life, living independently for the first time, relationships, challenges of becoming an adult, exams, and career paths form the primary storyline. Like young adult books, these can be read by anyone even outside the target audience.
Book Recommendations
- Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire | Buy now
- Easy by Tammara Webber | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Wait for You by J. Lyn | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuisto | Buy now
In images
- Upsy Daisy by Chelsie Edwards | Buy now
- The Deal by Elle Kennedy | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas | Buy now
#13 CHILDREN’S BOOKS
These books are written for children… Yeah, that’s pretty much it.
Fairy tales, anthropomorphic characters, a retelling of folktales, and lullabies are usually associated with children’s literature. They are worded simply but interestingly and usually relay a moral at the end.
Book Recommendations
J. M. Barrie
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A. Milnie | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Stuart Little by E. B. White | Buy now
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#14 LGBTQ+
Queer representation in literature has become more critical than ever. LGBTQ books are written by gay authors with gay characters as their protagonists. These follow the storyline of queer characters, their struggle with alienation from society, and their relationships.
These books can cross into various genres, too, like in the case of Romance. As long as the primary plotline, protagonists, or author are from the queer community, these books can be termed LGBTQ books.
Book Recommendations
James Baldwin
Andre Aciman
- First Time for Everything by Henry Fry | Buy now
- Sounds Fake but Okay by Sarah Costello and Kayla Kaszyca | Buy now
- Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez | Buy now
- Body Grammar by Jules Ohman | Buy now
- Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame | Buy now
In images
- With Teeth by Kristen Arnett | Buy now
- Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin | Buy now
- Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#15 WOMEN’S FICTION
These books appeal more to women. They have women-centric storylines showing the female protagonists’ emotional journeys, relationships, life experiences, and fantasies. Not to be confused with women’s writings, where the books may or may not be female-centric but are written by women.
This genre has mixed opinions on the usage of its name because of the general stereotypes surrounding it (book jackets with florals and jewels, and a plot of feminine frivolities, whatever that means) and because books, both fiction and non-fiction, with solid female essence are automatically dumped under this title regardless of their primary genres. Nonetheless, they make an enjoyable read.
Book Recommendations
- Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- High Stakes by Danielle Steel | Buy now
- Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Buy now
In images
- Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella | Buy now
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Buy now
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Buy now
#16 HISTORICAL FICTION
These books have a real-life historical event as their backdrop with imaginary characters and storylines. Basically, a fictional story about an actual past event. Titanic, anyone?
Since the author works on an event that already took place, they would pay utmost importance to the time period, facts, customs, and locations. The world-building in these books is strict. Hence the plot and characters are carefully crafted.
Book Recommendations
Margaret Mitchell
- I, Claudius by Robert Graves | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens | Buy now
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | Buy now
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell | Buy now
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr | Buy now
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy | Buy now
#17 CONTEMPORARY FICTION
This is the modern version of Historical fiction. Here, a fictional plot is set against current times. They are stories about the everyday lives of ordinary people in contemporary social, political, and economic scenarios. So, though it is fiction, they are most relatable to the current generation, making them some of the more popular book genres.
Book Recommendations
Frederik Backman
- Commonwealth by Ann Patchett | Buy now
- A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman | Buy now
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara | Buy now
- Giliad by Marilynne Robinson | Buy now
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt | Buy now
In images
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman | Buy now
- Normal People by Sally Rooney | Buy now
- Anxious People by Frederik Backman | Buy now
#18 LITERARY FICTION
The story in these books deals with the human condition. These are very artistic in style and showcase the perspective, emotions, journey, and basically everything “inside” human beings. So, these are not plot-heavy but thoroughly character-driven.
Though literary fiction is declining in popularity, these books are very well respected and are admired by the niche of self-exploration-character-loving readers.
Book Recommendations
- Trust by Hernan Diaz | Buy now
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Buy now
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Buy now
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro | Buy now
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes | Buy now
In images
- Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans | Buy now
- Demian by Herman Hesse | Buy now
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | Buy now
We’re almost at the end of our Fiction book genres list!
#19 GRAPHIC NOVELS
So far, we’ve seen different genres according to the content, characters, and storyline. But now we’re gonna see a genre based solely on how it is written and presented.
Graphic novels are in the form of illustrations, like comic books. They are narrated in a long, sequential art form, told in a traditional comic panel or any other layout.
Book Recommendations
- Through the Wood by Emily Carroll | Buy now
- The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman | Buy now
- Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani | Buy now
- Ghost World by Daniel Clowes | Buy now
- Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland | Buy now
- I Hate Fairyland by Skottie Young | Buy now
- Infinity Gauntlet by Jim Starlin | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
#20 EROTICA
Lastly, the genre’s name you wouldn’t say out loud in public. Turn away, kids! It deals with romance more sexually and erotically. It can be as literarily inclined as it is erotically, meaning it does treat its plot seriously. So, despite these novels’ bad reputations, they sometimes bring out pretty good stories.
Book Recommendations
E. L. James
Tia Williams
- Electric Idol by Katee Robert | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller | Buy now
- Bared to You by Sylvia Day | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- So Close by Sylvia Day | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Claimed by Elle Kennedy | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
In images
- Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James | Buy now ; Complete Collection | Buy now
- Seven Days in June by Tia Williams | Buy now
And our list comes to an end! Clap Clap Clap. I hope this helped you get an insight into the fiction book genres web. Happy reading!
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