Literary Genres and Subgenres

It can be tricky to find the perfect read to fit your current mood and reading tastes. Understanding what genre (genre = category of a book) to read can be a good start. Many readers know they want to read either Romance, or Mystery, or Historical Fiction, or Sci-Fi, or Fantasy. But did you know that there are multiple lesser-known SUBgenres of fiction that pinpoint more specific styles and sub-categories? Take a look at a few subgenres described below each main genre. Library staff will continue to add to this page to bring you more ways to find the perfect book.

Jump to: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance

Main Genre: Fantasy

• Subgenre: Alternate History
  • Fictional stories set in real historical periods and settings, often with "what-if" scenarios that change the outcomes of historical records. Some interlace magic or mythical creatures into historical events, while others simply change the events themselves. Historical Fiction fans who want to try out some fantasy reads may like these.
  • Examples of Alternate History: Fatherland by Robert Harris, 11/22/63 by Stephen King, The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal, American Royals by Katherine McGee, The Plot Against America by Philip Roth, It Can't Happen Here by Upton Sinclair, Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld 
• Subgenre: Magical Realism
  • Fiction told in an everyday voice, in realistic settings, where realistic people interact with both the magical and the mundane. There is no shock over the existence of magical elements, just acceptance that they are part and parcel of their regular world. Who do you walk beside in these stories?
  • Examples of Magical Realism: The Secret, Book, and Scone Society by Ellery Adams, Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan, Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor, The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
• Subgenre: Dark Academia
  • Stories typically set in a fictional elite schools or universities, interlaced with magical or supernatural beings. Most dark academia books feature intellectualism and learning, some with secret societies, set among gothic architecture and dark libraries. Back-to-school with a dark fantasy twist gets the grade.
  • Examples of Dark Academia: Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide, A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro, The Ravens by Morgan Kass, The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Main Genre: Horror

• Subgenre: Body Horror
  • These graphic stories focus on disfigurement, mutation and disturbing violations of the human body. Characters' bodies go through unnatural transformation or degeneration, often from biological or organic horrors. These will bring out a visceral reaction while reading.
  • Examples of Body Horror: The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone, The Vegetarian by Han Kang, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke (and Other Misfortunes) by Eric LaRocca, The Black Cat and The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe, The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson
• Subgenre: Comedy Horror
  • Spoofs and satires of the typical horror genres mix horror and gore with dark humor. Black comedy, parody, and spoof are all types of comedy horror. If you laugh at the dark stuff, this is for you.
  • Examples of Comedy Horror: The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride, This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It by David Wong
• Subgenre: Mythic Horror
  • The darker, more terrifying elements of ancient mythology and folklore come out to play in mythic horror stories. Mythic horror takes place in the real world, not to be confused with dark fantasies that take place in fantastical realms and other worlds. Original Grimm's Fairy Tales, anyone?
  • Examples of Mythic Horror: The Bone Mother by David Demchuk, Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson, The Jersey Devil by Hunter Shea, The Terror by Dan Simmons

Main Genre: Mystery

• Subgenre: Cozy Mystery
  • Nonviolent crimes against an unknown or unbeloved victim, typically solved by an amateur sleuth in a small town. Fans of Hallmark movies will enjoy these quick reads where violence and sex are both downplayed. Many of these are written in series, so grab a cup of tea and settle in for a new addiction.
  • Examples of Cozy Mysteries: Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton, Agatha Raisin mysteries by M. C. Beaton, The Cat Who mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun, Bibilophile Mysteries series by Kate Carlisle, Lighthouse Library mysteries by Eva Gates, Isabel Delhousie mysteries by Alexander McCall Smith
• Subgenre: Doctor Detective
  • Mysteries where the crime is investigated by a doctor, medical examiner, or other medical professional. Scientific, medical expertise is needed to help where police and other detectives could not solve the crime alone. An appreciation of forensic science, medical knowledge and puzzle-solving means you may enjoy these stories.
  • Examples of Doctor Detective: Take Out by Margaret Maron, Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough, The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freid McFadden, Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs, The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe
• Subgenre: Howdunit
  • Rather than wondering WHO committed the crime, these stories let you in on the murderer. What spins the story is figuring out HOW he, she or they will get caught? Turn the pages and try to stay one step ahead of the criminal.
  • Examples of Howdunit: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino, The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard, Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian, The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

Main Genre: Romance

• Subgenre: Romantasy
  • Usually set in another world, the central focus is still usually on the love story, but involves other elements of the fantasy world. The main characters may be dragon riders, or are loyal subjects sent on epic quests. Perhaps evil powers need to be vanquished by two people thrown together, only to realize their attraction along the way. Sometimes steamy, sometimes a slow burn, the romance is more central to the story than the fantasy, which is why it gets top billing in the mashup term. 
  • Examples of Romantasy: Blood & Ash series by Jennifer Armentrout, Empyrean series by Rebecca Yaros, 
• Subgenre: Regency Romance
  • These romance novels only take place between the years 1811-1820. This subgenre is so-named because George III was still alive as King, but the Prince Regent was ruling (fans of Queen Charlotte, out there?). More niche than Historical Romance, these stories typically involve aristocrats and commoners, grand balls and gas lamps along cobblestone streets. Be prepared to be swept off your feet and back in time.
  • Examples of Regency Romance:
• Subgenre: Western Romance
  • Western Romances can be set in historical times or in the modern day, but these novels have a definitive feel that sets them apart from others. A ranch, farm, or small town setting gives the stories a timeless feel, but the very westernness comes usually from one or more characters who are out of their element. Whether it's the work, the animals, or nature, the characters learn to embrace the pace of life while falling in love. Cowboys and ranch hands make hearts race, but the only shoot-outs come from Cupid's arrows.
  • Examples of Western Romance: