List of Book Types or Genres

It is not hard to get swept up in what appears to be a never-ending array of genres that often appear to package you in. Do you like fantasy, or sci-fi? (Can they be the same thing?) What are the primary differences between a mystery and a thriller? And what does “literary fiction” even mean?

Here are defined some of the most widely used book genres in both nonfiction and fiction so you will know precisely what to consider during your next trip to the bookstore.

Adventure books consistently have you on the edge of your seat with excitement, since the main character consistently finds themselves in high stakes situations. The protagonist has a final objective to attain and is constantly put in risky situations. This genre usually crosses over with others such as mystery, sci-fi, crime, and fantasy.

Popular Nonfiction Book Genres Explained

Adult and children's nonfiction genres are widely popular. Here are key nonfiction genres based on book sales:

• Food: Nonfiction food books include cookbooks, though more contemporary food books cover everything from specific cooking components to special diets. You will locate classic cookbooks with dishes along with publications that are part memoir/autobiography and part cookbook. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child is a good example of a food book.
• History: Nonfiction history books lay out the recognized facts about a specific culture, time, or event in past times. Killing England by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard is an example of a history book.
• Memoir: Memoirs are a kind of autobiography where the author places focus on certain events or moments that brought about specific life lessons. An example of a memoir is Becoming by Michelle Obama.
• Politics: Political nonfiction books can include books authored by career politicians, publications that explore political methods, or works that discuss the politics of a particular time. Political satires are a type of political book that satirizes an institution or person. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is an example of political satire.
• Self-Help: Self-help books aim to help the reader in bettering several aspects of their life. Common subjects covered include relationships, mental health, and finances. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a classic example of a self-help book.

Popular Fiction Book Genres Explained

Fiction is categorized into several core genres that rarely lose popularity:

• Young Adult: Young adult fiction is created for readers ages twelve to eighteen, integrating the reading level and worldview of teens and tweens. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins is a well-known example of young adult fiction.
• Children’s Books: Children’s fiction is usually known as children’s literature or juvenile fiction, authored with an audience under the age of twelve in mind. Formats include picture books and chapter books. Classic Dr. Seuss books such as Green Eggs and Ham are examples of children’s fiction.
• Crime Thriller: Thrillers are suspenseful accounts, and a crime thriller features a crime as its primary issue while keeping the audience on edge, with main characters often fighting for justice. John Grisham is a recognized crime thriller author.
• Literary Fiction: If a work of fiction does not fit into other specific genres, it is often called literary fiction. These works are typically introspective and character-driven, known for their tone. Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat is an example of literary fiction.
• Science Fiction: Also referred to as sci-fi, science fiction deals with an imagined future regarding scientific or technological advances, featuring themes like time travel, intelligent life, and outer space. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a classic illustration of science fiction.