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Book Genres Explained: The Main Genres Readers Love Right Now
A plain-English tour of the main book genres, from fantasy and romance to mystery and literary fiction, with notes on what is popular and how to choose.
Genres & fiction craft
Know your genre, write the story.
Guides to book genres, series and fiction craft: fantasy, romance, mystery, worldbuilding, characters and revision.
61 in-depth guides
10 topics
Oct 2026 latest guide
Featured guides
Guides to start with
Each one links on to more specific articles in its topic.
Best Family Book Series to Read Together
A practical guide to family read-aloud book series, from Narnia and Little House to Magic Tree House and The Penderwicks, with age ranges and tips for mixed ages.
Fantasy Stories for Adults: A Genre Guide
A practical guide to adult fantasy: what sets it apart, the main subgenres, standalone and short picks, famous titles, and how to choose your next read.
Romantasy Tropes
A guide to the most common romantasy tropes, from enemies to lovers and fated mates to fae courts, with notes on subgenres, spice, and how writers use them.
Recommended Mystery and Thriller Books
A reader-friendly guide to recommended mystery and thriller books, from golden age classics to modern psychological suspense, with tips for choosing your next read.
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Genres & Series
Genre overviews and series guides.
Book Genres Overview 5 guides, starting with Book Genres Explained: The Main Genres Readers Love Right Now. 5 guides Book Series Guides 7 guides, starting with Best Family Book Series to Read Together. 7 guides Fantasy Genre 5 guides, starting with Fantasy Stories for Adults: A Genre Guide. 5 guides Romantasy Paranormal 5 guides, starting with Romantasy Tropes. 5 guides Mystery Thriller Gothic 5 guides, starting with Recommended Mystery and Thriller Books. 5 guides
Writing Craft
Worldbuilding, romance, story craft and revision.
Fantasy Worldbuilding 6 guides, starting with Different Types of Fantasy Worlds. 6 guides Writing Romance 8 guides, starting with Elements of a Romance Novel. 8 guides Story Craft 7 guides, starting with The Elements of a Story. 7 guides Character & Revision 6 guides, starting with Character Interview: Questions to Develop Your Characters. 6 guides Short Fiction & Age Groups 7 guides, starting with Imaginative Short Stories Examples. 7 guides