When it comes to selecting a great book, here at oprahmag.com we don’t discriminate. From an essential fall bestseller to novels by Latino authors and every read on Oprah’s book club list, our approach to finding a compelling book is to keep an open mind.
But when you’re a heavy reader, it’s easy to get sucked into what seems like an endless array of genres that sometimes seem to pigeonhole you. Do you prefer science fiction or fantasy? (but wait, are they the same?) what are the key differences between a thriller and a mystery? Oh, and what does “literary fiction” mean?
You are reading: Different types of books
For all you bibliophiles who want answers to these burning questions, we’ve listed and defined the most popular book genres, both fiction and non-fiction, so you know exactly what to look for during your next visit to the bookstore. .
fiction: “something invented by the imagination or feigned” – merriam-webster
action and adventure
Action-adventure books constantly have you on the edge of your seat with excitement as your favorite main character repeatedly finds himself in high-stakes situations. the protagonist has an ultimate goal to achieve and is always in risky situations, often dangerous. this genre usually intersects with others like mystery, crime, science fiction, and fantasy. (Harry Potter anyone?)
classics
You can think of these books as the retroactive readings you were assigned in English class. (looking at you, charles dickens). The classics have been around for decades and were often groundbreaking stories at the time of publication, but they’ve continued to make an impact for generations, serving as the foundation for many popular works we read today.
comic or graphic novel
Stories from comics and graphic novels are presented to the reader through compelling, sequential narrative art (illustrations and typography) that is presented in a specific layout or the traditional panel layout found in comics . with both, you’ll often find the dialogue presented in the telltale “word balloons” next to the respective characters.
detective and mystery
the plot always revolves around some kind of crime that the protagonists must solve, or foil.
fantasy
While usually set in a fictional imaginary world (in opposition, Ta-nehisi Coates’s Water Dancer takes place in the very real world of American slavery), the fantasy books include prominent elements of magic , mythology or the supernatural.
historical fiction
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These books are based on a set time period over the past several decades, often in the context of significant (real) historical events.
horror
Intended to cause discomfort and fear for both character and readers, horror writers often use supernatural and paranormal elements in lurid stories that are sometimes overly realistic. the master of horror fiction? none other than stephen king.
literary fiction
Although it can be seen as a broad genre encompassing many others, literary fiction refers to the author’s perceived artistic style of writing. his prose is meant to evoke deep thought through stories that offer personal or social commentary on a particular topic.
romance
oh, romance, how could we resist you? the genre that makes your heart warm and fuzzy focuses on the love story of the main leads. this world of fiction is extremely broad in itself as it has a variety of sub-genres including: contemporary, historical, paranormal romance and steamier erotica. If you need any suggestions, we’ve got a list of the best romances of all time and the best picks of the year.
science fiction (science fiction)
Although they are often thought of in the same light as fantasy, what distinguishes science fiction stories is that they are largely based on themes of future science and technology. you’ll also find apocalyptic and dystopian novels in the science fiction genre.
tales
Although they span many of the genres we describe here, short stories are short prose that is significantly, well, shorter than novels. writers strictly tell their narratives through a specific theme and a series of brief scenes, although many authors compile these stories into wide-ranging collections, as shown below.
suspense and suspense
While often encompassing the same elements as mystery books, the thriller and suspense genre sees the hero try to stop and defeat the villain to save his own life rather than uncovering a specific crime. Thrillers often include cliffhangers and trickery to build suspense, while tricking the eyes of the main character and the reader.
women’s fiction
another genre that encompasses many others, women’s fiction is written specifically for female readers, often reflecting on the shared experiences of being a woman in society and the personal growth of the protagonist.
non-fiction: “writing or film dealing with true facts and events” – merriam-webster
biographies and autobiographies
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Serving as an official account of the details and events of a person’s life, autobiographies are written by the subject himself, while biographies are written by an author who is not the subject of the book.
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cookbooks
Traditionally written by professional chefs or even your favorite celebrities, cookbooks offer a mouthwatering collection of recipes, specific to a theme, cuisine or experience chosen by the author.
essays
Typically written in the first person, writers use their own personal experiences to reflect on a topic or theme for the reader. Many acclaimed authors, such as James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, combine these pieces into collections of social commentary.
story
These books narrate and present a specific moment in time, with the aim of educating and informing the reader, observing all parts of the world at a given moment.
memories
Although a form of autobiography, memoirs are more flexible in that they generally do not present a lengthy chronological account of the writer’s life. instead, they focus on key moments and scenes that communicate a specific message or lesson to the reader about the author.
poetry
With poetry, a form of written art, authors choose a particular rhythm and style to evoke and represent various emotions and ideas. sometimes the message is clear (like a straight love poem), while at other times the meaning is hidden behind a play on words; it all depends on the writer’s style, intention and chosen topic.
self help
Whether they focus on emotional well-being, finances, or spirituality, self-help books focus on fostering self-improvement and confidence in a variety of facets of your life.
true crime
Like their beloved television counterparts, true crime books chronicle and examine real crimes and events in great detail, with many focusing on infamous murders, kidnappings, and exploits by serial killers.
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