Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting out, finding your next read can be a daunting task. An important consideration in picking your next book is what you’re looking for. Are you drawn to books written more for entertainment? Or, do you like books that are meant to leave you with a message, and are likely filled with symbolism? The differences between genre books and literary books are many, but understanding the basics can help you stay with what you like, or branch out and try something new.
What are ‘literary’ books?
Literary books are stories that are character-driven, realistic, filled with symbolism, and aim to leave you with a message at the end. More often than not, literary novels err on the stoic side of life and can be rather tragic. This isn’t the case for all of them, but it’s a common theme.
If it helps, think of ‘literary’ and ‘literature’ together. Modern literary fiction is different from classic literature, and that discussion could fill a book in itself. When you think of literature, you probably think of those books read in high school english: Catcher in the Rye, The Scarlet Letter, Of Mice and Men, etc. These books are all symbolic on varying levels, and the main story is driven by the characters and their changes.
Modern literary fiction includes books like All the Light We Cannot See, The Vanishing Half, and Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. They follow a similar format as classic literature but focus on more modern themes and struggles, and tend to blend more with genre fiction than classic literature. Literary fiction can encompass elements of fantasy, horror, and more, but the main focus is on the message of the book.
What are ‘genre’ books?
Genre books tend to be plot-driven, are based on specific genre tropes, and are written more for entertainment, though many have important takeaways for life, just like literary fiction. There are countless genres and sub-genres, but the main ones are: action/adventure, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, and speculative fiction (fantasy, sci-fi, horror). Genre books often blend different genres together, or include subplots of other genres; an example would be a historical fiction with a romance subplot.
Genre fiction is not a new concept, as there have been books throughout history written for entertainment purposes. Straying from literary themes and instead writing for entertainment created many of the genres we know today. Some of the best known mystery-detective stories like Sherlock Holmes or anything written by Agatha Christie are genre novels. H.P. Lovecraft is considered the father of modern horror due to his extensive genre writing in the early 20th century.
There are different kinds of entertainment that genre can write towards, so it’s important to know what you want. If you want tear-jerking entertainment, you might look to historical or contemporary fiction. If you want to be swept off into magical lands or faraway galaxies, check out speculative fiction. A sucker for a story about people falling in love? Romance is the genre for you. All of the genres mentioned have hundreds of sub-genres, so you can find your niche in any of them. Some examples of sub-genres include cozy mysteries, epic fantasy, space opera science fiction, paranormal romance, and World War Two historical fiction.
Looking for Recommendations?
There are so many great ways to find your next read, but the tips below will help speed up the process if you’re overwhelmed by the choices or are still unsure:
- Check out various book lists on GoodReads or Storygraph. These sites also allow you to track the books you’ve read, join reader groups, and more.
- Ask your local librarian! I guarantee your local library has lists of recommendations, but asking for a personal favorite from the librarian is always a good option.
- Join a local book club. Most towns and cities have book clubs, and they often range across genres and literary fiction.
- Follow social media accounts focused on book content. These accounts (called ‘Bookstagram’ and BookTok on Instagram and Tiktok) always post recommendations and their current reads. Most accounts are curated towards a certain type of book, so if you find your niche, there are plenty of people sharing recommendations for it!
