Genres are ways of categorizing books to make them more easily found by readers and know what to expect when they read them. They also play a huge impact on book sales and searchability. But what makes a book genre popular? Is it being most read or most sold? We’ve compiled a list of the most popular book genres of all time based on the revenue it brings.
1. What is the genre of a book and why is it so important?
Generally, the genre of a book is the category of a book that it belongs to. In literature, the genre is determined by the subject, setting or plot of the story. It’s the information that a bookstore uses to figure out where to put the book on their shelves, an online ebook seller uses to make the book easy to find in their electronic databases, and librarians use to figure out where to put the book in their library. Most importantly, it is easier for readers to find what they’re looking for as well as organize their books according to book genres. Of course, picking the right genre can definitely help your book stand out easily and boost your book sales.
2. What are the most popular book genres
All the books can be broadly classified under two main categories: fiction and non-fiction. First, let’s take a look at the list of fiction genres.
1. List of fiction genres:
• Fantasy
• Science Fiction
• Humor
• Dystopian
• Adventure
• Romance
• Detective & Mystery
• Horror
• Suspense/Thriller
• LGBT
• Historical Fiction
• Young Adult
• New adult
• Children’s Fiction
• Crime and Detective
• Contemporary Fiction
• Short Story
• Women's fiction
2. List of nonfiction genres:
• Self-Help
• Biography
• Memoir & Autobiography
• Motivational/Inspirational
• Religion & Spirituality
• Cooking
• Travel
• Art & Photography
• Health & Fitness
• History
• Crafts, Hobbies & Home
• Families & Relationships
• Humor & Entertainment
• Business & Money
• Law & Criminology
• Politics & Social Sciences
• Education & Teaching
3. Most Popular Book Genres
Usually, what makes one book genre so hot or popular depends on the revenue this genre of books can bring. There‘s no doubt that the most popular book genres are those bestselling book genres and book genres that make the most money. And here are the top 5 popular book genres that are most read, most sold, and bring in the most revenue.
1. Romance
Romance has always been one of the bestselling book genres. Romance novel is a genre of fiction novel which places its primary focus on love. There are many subgenres of the romance novel, including gothic, contemporary, and historical romance. In Gothic romance, the settings are usually in the 19th century and the stories feature dark and compelling characters. Classic Gothic novels like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. However, contemporary romance is set in the present time and focuses on a love relationship and has a happy ending. Examples: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
2. Science Fiction & Fantasy
Fantasy books concentrate on imaginary elements. It can be magic, the supernatural, alternate worlds, superheroes, monsters, fairies, magical creatures—essentially, anything that does not exist in the real world. With fantasy, the magical or supernatural elements serve as the foundation of the plot, setting, or storyline in general. Well-known titles include the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.
Science fiction, often called “sci-fi,” is a genre of fiction literature whose content is imaginative, but based on science. It relies heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support for its settings, characters, themes, and plotlines, which is what makes it different from fantasy. Like The Martian by Andy Weir.
3. Thriller & Suspense
Thriller books induce strong feelings of excitement, anxiety, tension, suspense, fear, and other similar emotions in their readers—in other words, books that thrill the readers. Stephen King’s The Shining is a masterclass in the dark, mysterious thriller.
The suspense genre is closely related to a thriller, which can make it difficult to classify. In a suspense book, it creates uncertainty and anxiety in the readers, causing the novel to be more suspenseful than a thriller.
4. Self-Help, Religion & Spirituality
This genre of “self-help, religious, and spiritual” often focus on spiritual growth and helpful tips to lift up your life. We are living in a fast-paced world and we can easily become sad and worry in our life. So everyone needs a bit of help to understand this life and live a happy life. That’s the main reason why spiritual and self-help books are so popular nowadays. Bible is the bestselling religious book in history. It is always needed to improve aspects of life such as physical or mental health, or relationships with correct guidance and practices.
5. Crime/Mystery
Crime and mystery seem to be the two most popular genres for fiction books.
Crime fiction is the genre of fiction that deals with crimes, their detection, criminals, and their motives. Most crime novels share a common structure. First, there is the crime; then there is the investigation; and finally the outcome, often end up with the criminal's arrest or death. Example: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
Mystery is a genre of literature whose stories focus on a puzzling crime, or circumstance that needs to be solved. Mystery stories can be either fictional or nonfictional, and can focus on both supernatural and non-supernatural topics. Usually, they involve the mystery around uncovering a criminal. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series is one of the phenomenon work of this category.
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