Understanding the most popular book genres can help you write a better book.
Every author and writer must understand what type of genre they’re working within. Try and self-publish a book on Amazon KDP and they’ll force you to pick two or three before it goes live. Selecting a genre doesn’t mean you end up producing something bland, boring and generic. Understanding the conventions of a genre gives you confines to work within. If you’re writing a thriller, someone must die.
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Book Genre List
Do you picture yourself writing picture books for kids, non-fiction books to help people or horror fiction to entertain? Before you put pen to paper, take a quick look at these popular genres of books.
1. Science Fiction
Sci-fi books explore what could happen in a future world where technology or otherworldly beings are part of life. There are several subgenres here, mixing science fiction books with romance, fantasy or horror. The main idea of sci-fi as a genre is the future and the technology it has. My favorite example is Dune by Frank Herbert.
2. Historical Fiction
Historical fiction novels are set in a specific time period in the past. Most of the time, the time period has a big impact on the main character’s life and the plot of the story. The setting is woven into the book and becomes an important focal point. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is a popular example.
3. Dystopian
Dystopian is a subgenre of science fiction writing, but it has become so popular that it deserves its own category. A dystopian book takes place in the future when some cataclysmic event has destroyed society.
Young adult fiction is growing in demand. This popular genre explores challenges for young people, often transforming into a coming-of-age story. Many different genres can fit within the young adult category, but most of these have a main character who is in their teens or early 20s.
Sometimes, future tech is the antagonist in the story, but other times the dystopian nature of society is harder to spot in the beginning, because the author makes it look like utopia before revealing the deeper problems. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a popular example.
4. Young Adult
Young adult fiction is growing in demand. This popular genre explores challenges for young people, often transforming into a coming-of-age story. Many different genres can fit within the young adult category, but most of these have a main character who is in their teens or early 20s. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a popular example.
5. Thriller
Thriller is one of the most lucrative book genres. These are the books you’ll find for sale in airports. A thriller is a book that has a high level of suspense. It also has quite a bit of action and danger. Supernatural thrillers fall into this category. The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson is a popular example, as is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
6. Fairy Tale
Perhaps one of the oldest genres, the fairy tale is a magical story that embraces fantasy. Many classic fairy tales make excellent novels if you can transform one aspect of the story to make it new and engaging. Readers appreciate the predictability and the surprise twist of fractured or reimagined fairy tales. Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert is a popular example.
7. Childrens
A children’s book is often a picture book with a story. Designed for young readers, these books need to have a simple yet engaging vocabulary that kids can read on their own. Children’s books should also have an engaging story to make kids want to read. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess is a popular example.
8. Graphic Novels
Graphic novels or comic books use art as well as writing to tell a story. In these books, the artwork is the primary focus, and each page has a series of images that guide the reader through the action. Graphic novels tend to be gritty and edgy in tone. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is a popular example.
9. Mystery
Mystery novels focus on a main character trying to solve some sort of mystery. Many genres of books have mysteries within them, but this particular type of book is distinctive in that the mystery is the main plot focus. The resolution of the mystery doesn’t happen until the very end of the book. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is a popular example.
10. Fantasy
Fantasy books take place in a magical or mythical setting, but they don’t have a fairy godmother to save the day like a fairy tale. Magic and mythical creatures are a central part of the story, however. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is a popular example as are the works of Brandon Sanderson.
11. Romance
Romance novels look at romantic relationships and how they develop. They often tell the story of how two people came to fall in love. Erotica and historical romance can be subgenres of this type of book. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks is a popular example.
12. Memoir
A memoir is a book written by someone about their own life. Memoirs often focus on one particular aspect of their life, such as a defining moment that puts the person on a particular life path. Memoirs are often written by famous individuals. Just Kids by Patti Smith is a popular example. The audiobook is a great listen!
13. True Crime
True crime books explore a sensational or shocking crime that happened in real life. This type of non-fiction book often focuses on serial killers and their actions. These are popular books because they delve into the deepest ills of society. I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara is a popular example, as the classic In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Expect books in this genre to come soon to a Netflix screen near you!
14. Self-Help Books
Self-help books give people the information they need to make a change or perform a task. they are often inspirational, but they can also be simple how-to books. They present factual information that people need to learn how to do something new. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen is a popular example.
15. Biography
A biography explores the life of a real person. It may be told in narrative form, but it takes the historical events of a person’s life and turns them into a book. Unlike an autobiography, it’s written by a third-party and not the subject. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson is a popular example as his other book about Steve Jobs.
16. Business Leadership
Books in the business leadership category help business owners and managers learn how to better lead the people they manage. These books can focus on personality traits that make good leaders, or they can focus on the strategies used to lead in business. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a popular example.
17. Entrepreneurship
Running a business is far different from being in business leadership, and books that target entrepreneurs are in their own category. These books may discuss the ins and outs of running a business, or they may delve into the personality traits that work well for entrepreneurship. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz is a popular example.
18. Career
Some books are specific to professionals in a particular career, such as educators or real estate agents. They talk about the specific aspects of that career that are necessary for success, or they provide tips to become more skilled in the career field. The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong is a popular example. I also like What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles. It helped me reboot my career years ago.
19. Literary Fiction
Literary fiction privileges artful prose and deep character development, often tackling profound themes about the human experience through sophisticated narrative techniques. These authors often cross genres. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, where the decadent Jazz Age serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Sally Rooney’s books are a contemporary example. She’s from Ireland so she gets my vote!
20. Gothic Fiction
Dark atmospheres and psychological tension define this genre, where crumbling mansions and haunted spaces serve as more than mere backdrops – they become characters themselves in stories that blur the lines between natural and supernatural. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier masterfully uses Manderley mansion to create an atmosphere of psychological suspense and haunting memories.
21. Urban Fantasy
Modern cities pulse with hidden magic in urban fantasy, where supernatural beings navigate contemporary life alongside humans, making the familiar extraordinary through carefully crafted worldbuilding. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman transforms London’s underground into a mysterious realm where magic and mundane collide. Read our guide to Neil Gaiman books.
22. Medical Thriller
These pulse-pounding narratives weave complex medical science with edge-of-your-seat suspense, requiring authors to balance technical accuracy with accessibility while maintaining dramatic tension. Coma by Robin Cook which revolutionized the genre by exposing the terrifying possibilities of medical corruption. Some of Tom Clancy’s books are other examples.
23. Military Fiction
Whether historical or contemporary, the genre demands meticulous attention to military protocol, equipment, and tactics, all while exploring the human cost of warfare through its characters’ experiences. The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy showcases detailed military technology alongside geopolitical intrigue. Alex Shaw’s works are popular in this genre too. Read our guide to Tom Clancy Books.
24. Cozy Mystery
Small towns harbor big secrets in these gentle whodunits, where violence happens off-page and amateur sleuths solve crimes through wit and community connections rather than procedural investigation. Still Life by Louise Penny demonstrates how rich character development and sense of place can drive mystery solving.
25. Psychological Fiction
The battlefield here is the human mind, as authors delve deep into characters’ psyches, often employing stream-of-consciousness techniques and unreliable narrators to explore the complexities of human consciousness. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, which provides an intimate portrait of mental illness through semi-autobiographical fiction.
26. Travel Literature
Blending personal narrative with cultural observation, travel literature transforms physical journeys into metaphorical explorations of self-discovery and cultural understanding. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson combines humor with keen observation to paint a portrait of Australia.
27. Food Writing
Beyond mere recipes, food writing celebrates the sensory and cultural dimensions of cuisine, weaving personal narratives with culinary expertise to create mouth-watering prose. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain reveals the gritty reality behind professional kitchens while celebrating food culture.
28. Sports Literature
The drama of athletic competition serves as a lens for exploring larger themes of triumph, failure, and human potential, demanding authors capture both technical accuracy and emotional resonance. The Natural by Bernard Malamud, using baseball as a backdrop for exploring myth, ambition, and redemption.
29. Environmental Literature
Through both fiction and non-fiction approaches, this genre confronts humanity’s relationship with nature, often employing detailed research and powerful imagery to advocate for environmental awareness. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, which sparked the modern environmental movement through compelling scientific journalism.
30. Magical Realism
The extraordinary mingles seamlessly with the ordinary in this genre, where authors present supernatural elements with matter-of-fact acceptance to explore deeper cultural and political themes. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, where magical elements illuminate the history of Latin America.
31. Political Fiction
Power dynamics and ideological conflicts drive these narratives, which require authors to craft complex political systems while maintaining reader engagement through personal stakes. All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, exploring political corruption and moral responsibility in American politics.
32. Epistolary Fiction
Told through collections of documents, letters, or digital communications, this genre creates intimacy through its unique format, allowing readers to piece together stories through multiple perspectives. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, using letters to capture a teenager’s coming-of-age journey.
33. Slice of Life
These quietly powerful narratives find extraordinary meaning in ordinary moments, focusing on subtle character development and everyday observations rather than dramatic plot points. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, depicting one day in a Soviet labor camp through minute details and observations. Read our guide to the best Russian authors.
Literary fiction and non-fiction books come in many forms. If you are interested in publishing your book, study these book genres to find one that fits your reader and your style. By taking the time to understand these different book genres and skillfully placing your book in the right genre, you can make your writing more powerful.
