A Comprehensive Guide to Book Genres: 30 Popular Genres Explained

Writers should really understand the various book genres to find the right fit for their work. The common themes and expectations of a genre will shape the content and style while writing, including key aspects like word count. Plus, knowing the genre is crucial for marketing, as it helps identify the target audience and the essential Amazon categories.

Choose the wrong genre, and you might find yourself saying farewell to book sales and welcoming a flood of unhappy reader reviews!

What’s the total number of book genres out there?

While this post highlights just 30 of the most popular genres, there are actually about 50 in total, though the exact count can vary depending on who you talk to. When you factor in subgenres, Amazon boasts more than 16,000!

There’s definitely a genre out there that’s just right for your book — you just need to discover it!

Fiction genres

Fantasy

These books are a type of literature that incorporates magical elements, mythical beings, and fictional worlds. These tales frequently include grand adventures, brave heroes, and conflicts between good and evil, providing readers with an opportunity to step away from reality and dive into intricately crafted universes. Additionally, fantasy can mix with other genres like romance, adventure, or science fiction, resulting in various subgenres that attract a broad audience. Take a look at the latest top 30 fantasy books as voted by Goodreads users.

Science Fiction

Science fiction novels are a type of literature that delve into creative and forward-thinking ideas, frequently featuring cutting-edge technology, journeys through space, time travel, alternate realities, and alien life. These stories can highlight social and philosophical themes, speculate on scientific advancements, or portray bleak futures. Sci-fi books often inspire readers to think about how scientific progress might affect humanity and society as a whole. Check out the top 30 science fiction books that people have voted for on Goodreads.

Dystopian

Dystopian novels are a well-known branch of science fiction that paint a dark and unsettling picture of what the future could hold. These stories explore scenarios where harsh control, environmental degradation, or societal collapse dominate. Often set in a future that exaggerates present-day problems, they serve as cautionary tales, shedding light on the potential consequences of our current societal behaviors and choices. Take a look at the top 30 best dystopian novels that readers have chosen on Goodreads.

Apocalypse

Apocalypse novels dive into themes of disaster, the breakdown of society, and the fight for survival, usually taking place in worlds that are either post-apocalyptic or dystopian. They might include elements like natural calamities, disease outbreaks, nuclear disasters, or extraterrestrial attacks, centering on characters grappling with a world that has been turned upside down. These tales often explore ethical challenges, the strength of the human spirit, and the delicate nature of civilization, offering readers both excitement and deep reflections. Check out the 30 best apocalypse novels that readers have picked on Goodreads.

Action & Adventure

Action and adventure books are types of literature that focus on quick-moving plots packed with thrilling events and bold adventures. Usually, they feature a hero or main character who sets off on a quest or journey. These tales often present high-stakes situations, physical challenges, and conflicts, whether it's against an enemy, the elements, or destiny itself. Frequently taking place in unique settings or imaginative realms, they draw in readers by blending exciting action scenes with themes of exploration and discovery, making them perfect for anyone looking for a thrilling escape. Check out the 30 best action and adventure novels that readers have picked on Goodreads.

Mystery

These novels mix suspenseful storytelling with intriguing mysteries, usually centered around a crime or a puzzle that demands resolution. They often showcase main characters like detectives or amateur investigators who are on a quest to reveal concealed truths while maneuvering through a maze of lies, threats, and psychological stress. These books skillfully combine captivating intrigue with intense plots that keep readers hooked from start to finish. Take a look at the 30 best mystery thriller books chosen by readers on Goodreads.

Horror

Horror books are a type of literature meant to stir up feelings of fear, anxiety, and suspense in readers. They typically feature disturbing themes, supernatural occurrences, or psychological tension. These stories delve into the darker sides of human nature, the mysteries of the unknown, and the monstrous. They often tackle deep themes about existence, societal fears, and personal worries, making them both exciting and reflective. Check out the newest list of the top 30 horror books, as chosen by Goodreads readers.

Paranormal

Paranormal books cover a wide range of topics that dive into the supernatural, including ghosts, spirits, mystical creatures, and strange occurrences. This genre includes both fiction, like horror and fantasy tales with vampires or witches, and non-fiction that explores ghost stories, occult practices, and real-life encounters with the paranormal. Take a look at the latest selection of the top 30 paranormal books, picked by Goodreads users.

Magical Realism

Magical realism is a unique literary genre that mixes everyday storytelling with magical elements, seamlessly weaving the extraordinary into ordinary situations. Writers often use this approach to delve into deep themes like identity, culture, and social challenges, pushing the limits of what we consider real and what we imagine.

Thriller

These books fall into a genre celebrated for their suspense, thrill, and tension. They typically feature quick-paced plots, intricate twists, and significant stakes. Common themes in these stories include crime, espionage, mystery, or psychological drama, captivating readers as they follow the protagonists through perilous situations. Take a look at this compilation of the 30 best thriller novels, handpicked by Goodreads users.

Historical Fiction

This genre of books features made-up tales set against a backdrop of history, striking a nice balance between imagination and reality. Typically, the characters and plotlines are crafted by the author, infused with authentic details from a particular era.

Romance

Romance novels are a type of literature that centers around romantic connections between characters. They usually delve into emotional struggles, character development, and a main love story. These tales often tackle themes like love, attraction, and the intricacies of relationships, usually wrapping up with a happy or fulfilling conclusion. The tone and style can vary greatly, from fun and comedic to serious and heartfelt, and they might blend in aspects from other genres such as fantasy, historical fiction, or modern drama. If you're a fan of romance novels, take a look at this list of popular titles categorized by subgenre.

Women’s Fiction

Women's fiction generally encompasses novels that center around the experiences, relationships, and personal development of women. These stories often delve into themes like friendship, love, family interactions, and self-exploration. With strong female leads, they showcase the emotional journeys that women face, making them relatable to female readers and attractive to a wider audience as well.

LGBTQ+

These books showcase a wide range of literature that explores themes, characters, and perspectives related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other identities within the community. They encompass various genres, including fiction, memoirs, poetry, and non-fiction, all examining subjects such as identity, love, relationships, and social justice. Check out the newest list of the top 30 LGBTQ+ books, as chosen by Goodreads readers.

Contemporary Fiction

This genre of books is sometimes grouped with others to show that the story is set in the present. However, at its core, contemporary fiction is really about not fitting into a specific genre. Your story doesn’t require clichés or fantastical elements; instead, the tension, drama, and conflict arise from the unique challenges and situations your main character faces in their daily life—like work, politics, relationships, and the issues of today’s world. Take a look at the ultimate list of the top 30 modern books, handpicked by Goodreads users.

Literary Fiction

Literary fiction is a type of writing that focuses more on character growth, deep themes, and artistic style rather than just the storyline. It often dives into the complexities of human experiences and emotions, tackling social issues, moral dilemmas, and the nuances of life. In contrast to commercial fiction, which usually aims for entertainment and quick-paced plots, literary fiction encourages readers to think deeply and connect with its characters and themes, often resulting in more questions than clear answers.

Young Adult

Young adult books are novels aimed mainly at teens and young adults, usually featuring characters between the ages of 12 and 18. These stories often delve into themes that matter to this age group, like identity, relationships, personal development, and the journey into adulthood. The genre spans various styles, including fantasy, romance, science fiction, and contemporary fiction, and is recognized for tackling complex social issues while connecting with young readers through relatable stories and characters. Check out this amazing collection of the top 30 young adult books, chosen by Goodreads readers!

New Adult

New adult books are a type of fiction that usually centers around characters aged 18 to 30 as they tackle the ups and downs of early adulthood. These stories often delve into themes like relationships, self-identity, career decisions, and personal development. This genre serves as a link between young adult and adult literature, featuring themes that appeal to a slightly older crowd, such as romance and self-exploration, often with more mature elements. Many well-known titles address real-life challenges relevant to this pivotal stage of life, providing relatable stories and emotional richness.

Children’s

Children's books are specially designed for young readers, usually from babies to pre-teens. They come in different types, like picture books, early readers, chapter books, and young adult novels. These stories often include relatable characters, exciting plots, and colorful illustrations that spark kids' imaginations. The goal of these books is to entertain, teach, and inspire a passion for reading, all while touching on themes that resonate with children's lives and growth stages. Take a look at this fantastic selection of the 30 best children's books, as picked by Goodreads users!

Short Story

Short story books are compilations of short fictional tales, usually centered around a particular theme, character, or event, aimed at delivering a powerful message or feeling in a brief format. These collections often feature the writings of one author or multiple contributors, giving readers a variety of viewpoints and writing styles. They cover a broad spectrum of genres, such as literary fiction, fantasy, horror, and others, enabling readers to dive into different worlds and concepts in a succinct way.

Graphic Novel

Graphic novels blend text and sequential art in a book-like format, often delivering a full story or diving deep into various themes. They cover a broad spectrum of genres, from fiction and nonfiction to fantasy and memoirs, and are known for their illustrations, typically resembling comic strips, along with dialogue and narration. These works attract a wide range of readers and have earned respect as a valid literary genre, appealing to both kids and adults.

Classic

Timeless classics are literary works that have stood the test of time, celebrated for their artistic merit, profound themes, and cultural impact. They often reflect universal human experiences and moral dilemmas, making them relevant to readers of all generations. These pieces are commonly studied in educational settings and continue to inspire adaptations and discussions in contemporary society. Check out this collection of the 30 best classic novels, chosen by Goodreads users.

Non-Fiction genres

Autobiography

Autobiography books are a type of literature where people share their own life stories, highlighting their personal experiences, feelings, and reflections. These accounts often give readers a glimpse into the author's life, including key events, struggles, and successes, helping them understand the author's character, background, and the era they lived in. The style, tone, and emphasis of autobiographies can differ greatly, from thoughtful and introspective to open and direct. Take a look at this selection of the top 30 autobiographical novels, as picked by Goodreads readers.

Biography

Biography books tell the life stories of individuals, showcasing their experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and influence on society. They typically gather information from a mix of sources such as interviews, letters, and historical records to create a comprehensive picture of the person, emphasizing their character, motivations, and the environment they lived in. Biographies can feature a diverse array of subjects, from famous public figures like politicians and artists to ordinary people whose narratives shed light on particular eras or events.

Humor

Humor books are written pieces that aim to amuse readers with humor, jokes, and satire, often featuring hilarious stories, sharp insights, or ridiculous situations. They come in different formats like novels, memoirs, essays, and graphic novels, showcasing the author's distinct take on daily life, relationships, and social conventions.

Self-help

Self-help books are written to offer readers tools, ideas, and techniques for enhancing different areas of their lives, such as personal growth, mental well-being, relationships, and efficiency. They typically incorporate elements of psychology, philosophy, and personal stories, motivating readers to actively pursue their goals, tackle obstacles, and cultivate a positive attitude. Check out this list of the 30 best self-help novels, chosen by Goodreads users.

True Crime

True crime books are factual narratives that investigate actual criminal cases, outlining the circumstances of the crime, the investigation that followed, and the aftermath for those affected. These works often examine the mindset of offenders, the legal proceedings, and occasionally how the media covers these events. Well-known true crime titles frequently feature biographies of notorious criminals, stories of infamous murders, or discussions on societal issues tied to crime, attracting readers who are intrigued by the more sinister sides of human behavior and the intricacies of justice. Take a look at this compilation of the 30 top true crime books, as selected by Goodreads readers.

Poetry

Poetry books are compilations of poems that showcase artistic expressions of feelings, ideas, or thoughts using structured language. They often include elements such as rhythm, meter, and metaphor. These collections can range widely in form and style, featuring everything from timeless classics by famous poets to modern works that delve into various themes and perspectives. Poetry books allow readers to engage with the complexities of human experience, highlighting personal, cultural, and social stories. Check out this list of the 30 best poetry books, chosen by Goodreads users.

Food & Drink

Food and drink books cover a broad spectrum of literature related to cooking and culinary arts. This includes everything from cookbooks and food memoirs to guides on gastronomy and beverage manuals. These books offer recipes, cooking methods, and insights into different cuisines, while also delving into the cultural, historical, and social dimensions of food and drink. They are perfect for novice cooks, seasoned professionals, and anyone passionate about food who wants to improve their cooking skills or learn more about pairing food with drinks.

Art & Photography

Art and photography books are publications that delve into the world of visual arts and photography, blending images with written content. These books typically highlight the creations of various artists or photographers, giving readers a glimpse into their methods, ideas, and creative paths. They come in many forms, including monographs, exhibition catalogs, how-to guides, and stylish coffee table books. Whether you're a casual fan or a seasoned pro, these publications provide valuable insights into artistic trends, photography techniques, and the cultural backgrounds that shape these works.

There are definitely more genres out there, but most books typically fit into one or more of the ones listed. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Romance Books Subgenres below for the best romance subgenres in 2025.

An Ultimate Guide to Romance Books Subgenres 2025