There are many different genres of books! This post will outline some of the most common categories. Which one is your favorite?

1. Fantasy

One of the most popular genres, fantasy novels like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings have captured readers’ love and attention for decades. This genre relies on themes of magical elements, exciting adventures, friendship, love, betrayal, and heartbreak. These books tend to be very long: some fantasy series include 10 or more books, and some fantasy novels are over 400 pages!

2. Dystopian

Dystopian novels rely on themes of totalitarianism, social fragmentation, mass surveillance, and the decline of individual freedom. Their main characters are generally rebels who reveal, question, confront, and/or dismantle harmful societal structures. Some popular dystopian books are The Grapes of Wrath, The Parable of the Sower, and Lord of the Flies.

3. Science Fiction

Science fiction books are generally centered around advanced societies set in the future or set in an imaginary, but realistic, world. These books often grapple with questions of how humanity may change with the advancement of technology. Some popular sci-fi novels are Dune, Klara and the Sun, and The Left Hand of Darkness.

4. Memoir

Memoirs are a subcategory of the general nonfiction category. A memoir is a factual telling of a person’s life. These books describe true events, people, accomplishments, and settings. Memoirs are generally bound by a single theme, such as grief, love, or overcoming a difficult personal challenge. Don’t discount nonfiction as a “boring” genre—there are plenty of engaging books in this genre! MMT Prep recommends When Breath Becomes Air and Night for high school students.

5. Horror

Horror books are designed to shock and scare readers. They use plot twists and suspense to keep readers engaged and surprised by each twist and turn in the story. Popular horror novels include It and other Stephen King books. These books are generally not appropriate for younger readers, but some horror novels cater towards younger audiences. Check out the Goosebumps series for kid-friendly scary stories!

6. Thriller / Suspense

This genre is similar to horror in that it uses high levels of suspense and plot twists. However, thriller and suspense novels do not use scare tactics. Instead, they involve mysteries that the reader generally unravels as the novel progresses. Popular thriller novels include Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

7. Contemporary Fiction

Similar to general fiction, contemporary fiction describes imaginary people, places, and events. Contemporary fiction is a subset of general fiction. The former genre is set in the present day (or set in a time period that is very close to the present day). These novels are defined by a general lack of genre. Instead of being confined to genre conventions, these books branch out and intertwine elements from various genres. Some examples of contemporary fiction are Little Fires Everywhere and Commonwealth.

8. Literary Fiction

You may have read some books in this genre in high school English classes! Like contemporary fiction, literary fiction rejects genre constraints. It focuses on making an artistic statement and providing an opinion or moral lesson. Examples of literary fiction are Of Mice and Men, The Remains of the Day, and Never Let Me Go.

 

We hope you enjoyed and learned from this list of genres! Follow MMT Prep’s blog posts for more book recommendations!

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