Most Popular Genre Fiction
compiled by Becky Neil
The following are the more popular types of genre in fiction to date. Genre, in a limited way, can be described as the various types of fiction. Most of the descriptions make use of common sense knowledge. Hopefully, this sheet will clarify these types of fiction.
Adventure: books that emphasize spectacular action and physical danger; page 5
Examples of this type of book would be “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”
by Douglas Adams or “Ransom” by Lois Duncan
Classic: books that achieve this status are those of high quality and have stood the test of time---
they are considered to be the best of the best; page 104
Examples of this type of book would be “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson
or “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Fantasy: books written in make-believe; page 188
Examples of this type of book would be the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling or
the Lord of the Rings books by J. R. R. Tolkien
Historical: books that attempt to re-create the past; page 227
Examples of this type of book would be “Beyond the Burning Time” by
Kathryn Lasky or “Alice’s Tulips” by Sandra Dallas
Horror: books that deal with the supernatural such as vampires, witches, werewolves,
etc.;
Examples of this type of book would be “The Silver Kiss” by Annette Curtis Klause or
“Look for Me by Moonlight” by Mary Downing Hahn
Inspirational: books that cause one to look into one’s subconscious mind or to see something
external, a force from God or nature or whatever; page 343
Examples of this type of book are “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III”
compiled by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Kimberly Kirberger or
“Taste Berries for Teens” by Bettie B. Youngs
Mystery: books that are the “detective story” where there is a murder to be solved; page 299
Examples of this type of book would be “Two O’clock, Eastern Wartime” by
John Dunning or “The Dangling Witness” by Jay Bennett
Popular Fiction: books that have become immediately popular because of their widespread
appeal; page 361
Examples of this type of book would be currently the Harry Potter books
and the Lord of the Rings---other popular books
include “Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of
Georgia Nicolson” by Louise Rennison and “Monster” by
Walter Dean Myers
Romance: books that usually deal in the matters of the heart where the ending is a happy one;
page 362
Examples of this type of book are “At First Sight” by Elizabeth Chandler or
“The Haunted Heart” by Cherie Bennett
Science Fiction: books in which new and futuristic scientific developments propel the
story; page 418
Examples of this type of book would be “Ender’s Game” by
Orson Scott Card or “Dead Water Zone” by Kenneth Oppel
Suspense: books in which there is a state of uncertainty, anticipation, or curiosity
concerning the outcome of the story or resolution of a conflict; page 450
Examples of this type of book are “The Partner” by John Grisham or
“The Auctioneer” by Joan Samson
Western: books about cowboys and gunslingers of the 19th century American frontier;
page 489
Examples of this type of book are “Beyond the Divide” by Kathryn Lasky or
“Long Ride Home” by Louis L’Amour
All information came from “The Harper Handbook to Literature” by
Northrop Frye, Sheridan Baker, and George Perkins. The publisher is Harper & Row from New York, copyright date, 1985. The page numbers from which the information came are listed at the end of each description.