Types of Book Genres: Full Guide With Definitions & Examples

Books come in many different forms and styles, each designed to serve different purposes and appeal to various readers. Understanding book genres helps readers find the stories they love and authors reach their target audience.

This guide covers all the major book genres with clear definitions and popular examples.

Main Types of Books

Books are broadly divided into two primary categories: FICTION and NON-FICTION.

Fiction

Fiction books tell imaginary stories that didn’t happen in real life. These stories come from the author’s imagination and creativity, even though they may include real places or historical events as background. Fiction allows writers to explore themes, emotions, and ideas through invented characters and situations.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, 1984 by George Orwell, Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling are some of the examples of fiction books.

Nonfiction

Non-fiction or nonfiction books are factual books. Unlike fiction books, they are based on facts and information that can be verified to be true. These books educate, inform, or provide practical guidance to readers.

Some examples of non-fiction books are : Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, Becoming by Michelle Obama, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Genres of Books

The above main types of books can be further divided into many sub-categories, each of which is a genre. We will now look at the different genres that fall under fiction and nonfiction..

Please Note: A single book can belong to multiple genres at the same time. For example, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown fits into Mystery, Thriller, Crime & Detective, and Historical Fiction all at once.

Fiction Genres

The following are the major genres of books under the Fiction category:

1. Action and Adventure

The stories under this genre usually show an event or a series of events that happen outside the course of the protagonist’s ordinary life. The plot is mostly accompanied by danger and physical action. These stories almost always move quickly and the high pace of the plot is usually an important part of the story.

Some examples of Action and Adventure books are:

• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Indiana Jones series by various authors

2. Alternate History

Fiction that explores “what if” scenarios by changing key historical events. These stories imagine how the world might be different if history had taken another path.

Examples:

• The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
• The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
• 11/22/63 by Stephen King

3. Comedy/Humor

Fiction written primarily to entertain and make readers laugh. These stories use wit, satire, or absurd situations to create humor.

Examples:

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
• Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

4. Contemporary Fiction

Stories set in the present day or recent past that focus on realistic characters and situations. These novels explore modern life, relationships, and social issues without supernatural or fantasy elements.

Examples:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
• Educated by Tara Westover (though technically memoir)

5. Crime and Detective

Stories that revolve around crimes, usually murder, and their investigation. These books follow detectives (professional or amateur) as they solve mysteries and bring criminals to justice.

Examples:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
• The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle

6. Dystopian Fiction

Stories set in imaginary societies where life is extremely difficult due to oppression, environmental disaster, or totalitarian control. These books often serve as warnings about potential futures.

Examples:

• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

7. Epistolary Fiction

Novels told through letters, diary entries, emails, or other documents. This format gives readers intimate access to characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Examples:

• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

8. Fantasy

Stories set in imaginary worlds with magical elements, supernatural creatures, and events that couldn’t happen in real life. Magic is a central component of these stories.

Examples:

• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

9. Gothic Fiction

Dark, atmospheric stories that combine horror and romance elements. These books often feature haunted locations, supernatural occurrences, and psychological terror.

Examples:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

10. Historical Fiction

Stories set in the past that recreate the social conditions, customs, and details of earlier time periods. Writers blend historical facts with fictional characters and plots.

Examples:

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

11. Horror

Fiction designed to frighten, create suspense, and evoke feelings of dread in readers. These stories often include supernatural elements or psychological terror.

Examples:

• It by Stephen King
• The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
• The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

12. LGBTQ+ Fiction

Stories that feature LGBTQ+ characters and experiences as central elements. These books explore themes of identity, acceptance, and love within the LGBTQ+ community.

Examples:

• Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

13. Magical Realism

Stories where magical or impossible events occur naturally within an otherwise realistic setting. The magical elements are presented as normal parts of everyday life.

Examples:

• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

14. Mystery

Fiction centered around puzzles that need solving, usually involving crimes or unexplained events. Readers follow clues alongside the main character to solve the mystery.

Examples:

• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

15. New Adult

Fiction featuring protagonists aged 18-29 who are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. These stories focus on themes like first jobs, college, and adult relationships.

Examples:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

16. Romance

Stories where the romantic relationship between characters is the main focus. These books typically have happy or hopeful endings for the central romantic relationship.

Examples:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
• Beach Read by Emily Henry

17. Romantasy

A blend of romance and fantasy genres where romantic relationships develop within magical or fantastical settings. This has become extremely popular in recent years.

Examples:

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

18. Satire

Satire is a book genre that entertains making fun of vices, foolishness, shortcomings, etc. of individuals, corporations, government, or society through sarcasm and irony. It is often done with the intention of inducing the sense of improvement among people.

Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, the humor often shows the dark truth of the society and is meant to work as constructive social criticism.

Examples of Satire are:

• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
• Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

19. Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)

Stories that explore futuristic concepts, advanced technology, space exploration, time travel, and scientific possibilities. These books often examine how technology impacts society.

Examples:

• Dune by Frank Herbert
• The Martian by Andy Weir
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

20. Thriller/Suspense

Fast-paced stories designed to keep readers on edge through constant tension and excitement. These books often involve danger, mystery, and plot twists.

Examples:

• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
• The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

21. Urban Fantasy

Fantasy stories set in modern cities where magical creatures and supernatural events exist alongside normal urban life. The city setting is crucial to the story.

Examples:

• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher
• Shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare

22. Utopian Fiction

Stories depicting ideal societies where social, political, and individual problems have been solved. These books explore perfect or near-perfect communities.

Examples:

• Utopia by Thomas More
• Island by Aldous Huxley
• Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach

23. Women’s Fiction

Stories that focus on women’s experiences, relationships, and personal growth. While anyone can read these books, they’re written with female audiences particularly in mind.

Examples:

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

24. Young Adult (YA)

Fiction written for readers aged 12-18, featuring teenage protagonists dealing with coming-of-age challenges. These stories explore identity, relationships, and the transition to adulthood.

Examples:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Nonfiction Genres

The following are the major genres of books under the Nonfiction category:

1. Biography/autobiography

Biography is a narrative on someone’s life written by someone else. When a person himself writes about his life, then the book is called an autobiography.

Examples:

• Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
• Becoming by Michelle Obama (autobiography)

2. Business

Books that provide advice, strategies, and insights about running businesses, managing finances, leadership, and professional development.

Examples:

• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

3. Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi)

Fiction that deals with climate change and its effects on society and the environment. These stories explore potential futures shaped by environmental challenges.

Examples:

• The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
• The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell
• The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells

4. Health and Wellness

Books focusing on physical health, mental wellness, nutrition, fitness, and personal well-being. These provide practical advice for improving quality of life.

Examples:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

5. History

Books that examine past events, people, and cultures. These works are based on research and evidence to help readers understand how the past shaped the present.

Examples:

• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
• The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
• A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

6. Memoir

A person’s account of specific experiences or periods from their own life. Unlike autobiography, memoirs focus on particular themes or time periods rather than entire lifespans.

Examples:

• Educated by Tara Westover
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
• Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

7. Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction (also known as literary nonfiction or creative nonfiction) is a genre of books that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives in a format that tells a story.

Examples:

• Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

8. Philosophy

It encompasses books that explore fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, existence, and values using reason and logic.

Examples:

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
• The Republic by Plato
• Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche

9. Politics

Books that examine political systems, current events, policy issues, and political figures. These works analyze government and political processes.

Examples:

• Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
• The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
• On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

10. Psychology

Books exploring human behavior, mental processes, and psychological principles. These works examine how people think, feel, and behave.

Examples:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Mindset by Carol Dweck

11. Science

Books that explain scientific discoveries, principles, and phenomena for general audiences. These works make complex scientific topics accessible to non-experts.

Examples:

• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• Cosmos by Carl Sagan

12. Self-Help

Books designed to help readers improve their personal lives, relationships, careers, or mental health. These provide practical advice and strategies for personal development.

Examples:

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

13. Travel

Books about traveling to different places, including guidebooks, travel memoirs, and cultural explorations. These works inspire wanderlust and provide practical travel information.

Examples:

• A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed

14. True Crime

Nonfiction books that examine real criminal cases, investigations, and legal proceedings. These works explore actual crimes and their impact on victims and society.

Examples:

• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
• I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
• The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson