Get lost in a story: 5 book genres to enjoy
Whether
you prefer holding a book, using a tablet, or listening to audiobooks, diving into stories you enjoy is relaxing and fun. If you need some suggestions, here are five different genres you might like to try — along with some recommendations.
Mystery and suspense
Mystery novels often pit a clever sleuth against a wily criminal, and some of the best keep us on the edge of our seats. As an eager armchair detective, getting caught up in a story and putting together the clues triggers your logic and reasoning skills.
Popular classic mysteries include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s indelible detective series, “Sherlock Holmes” and Agatha Christie’s whodunits like “Murder on the Orient Express.”
If you enjoy some wry comedy and romance in your mystery, check out globally renowned author Janet Evanovich. Her bumbling, brainy, and beautiful bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, always gets tangled up in a crazy caper while she’s trying to apprehend FTA bond clients. “Fortune and Glory: Tantalizing TwentySeven” is the latest series installment.
Historical
Historical novels often use actual events like the Civil War, WWII, the New York World’s Fair, and the Chicago World Series as backdrops for fictional stories told by a set of fictional characters. Some of the settings might prompt you to remember important experiences in your own life or the lives of your ancestors.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a critically-acclaimed historical romance novel set in the late 1700s to early 1800s in rural England. To date, it remains one of the most popular novels in English literature.
Ken Follett is one of the most renowned historical fiction writers today. His first novel, “Eye of the Needle,” is a WWII spy thriller set in 1940 that was made into a movie. The book made the BBC News 100 Most Influential Novels list in 2019.
Romance
Love has a profound impact on our lives. In fiction, the main characters often go to extreme lengths to find it.
World-renowned romance novelist Danielle Steele has sold over one billion copies of her novels to date. Many of her sweeping love stories feature strong women seeking or navigating love, relationships, or family situations in a myriad of circumstances and locales. “The Promise” launched her bestselling writing career in 1978, and “Finding Ashley” is her latest release.
Nicholas Sparks is a consummate romantic storyteller, with many of his novels being adapted into movies for film and television. To date, he’s written 21 novels, with his most recent “The Return” published last year.
Classic literature
Classic literature covers a broad spectrum of American and World novels. They tell unforgettable tales in vivid settings with magnetic, memorable characters who linger long after the book ends.
Popular and beloved titles include “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Little Women” by Louise May Alcott, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, and so many more.
History (non-fiction)
If you’re fascinated by or want to learn more about a particular era, event, or notable historical person, non-fiction history books offer an abundance of information about important national and global people and events.
Notable nonfiction historical titles include “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn, “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly, “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” by Laura Hillenbrand, and more.