I like to think I read pretty broadly across genres and classifications, especially in the past few years, but it’s also true I have my favorites. When I want comfort, familiarity, and faith that I’ll find something I like, I usually reach for historical romance, murder mysteries, or 19th century novels by women authors. But also, there are always genres or sub-genres I’ve either never gotten into or don’t know how to start – until helpful friends point me in the right direction. Actually, I’d barely dabbled in historical romance before falling in with my favorite chaotic book club, and now look at me! I’m a fiend!
I know I’m not the only who has “staple” genres or needs the occasional tip for exploring something new. So, today, I thought I’d list out some common genres (and sub-genres because I am also a list fiend!) and give rapid-fire recommendations for folks looking for a place to start. We all know brevity isn’t my strong suit (see the above paragraph), but I’ll give it a shot!
Experimental Fiction
I’m going through genres alphabetically, which means… we’re starting off with the “weird” stuff. Experimental fiction can be pretty much anything, as authors experiment with chronology, formatting, or whatever catches their fancy! Like any genre, it can be a disaster or it can be spectacular, forcing the reader to really pay attention and engage with the text.
My top recommendation for experimental fiction is, hands-down, Empty Set by Verónica Gerber Bicecci. The author uses both the written word and visual art (graphs, sketches, etc.) and, yes, math to relate a fragment narrative about the effects of loss and absence on a young woman whose mother abruptly disappeared years ago. It’s an unusual but affecting book, and I worked so hard to figure it all out that, in the end, my annotations, underlines, and connecting arrows looked much like the protagonist’s sketched attempts to make sense of her reality.
Fantasy
This a tough one because there are so many sub-genres within fantasy, but here are some (admittedly biased) recommendations.
For epic fantasy, I have to say The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien because 1) I am basic and 2) it’s a classic for a reason! Not only did it influence all the Western fantasy novels that followed, it is also just a beautiful story of courage and friendship. For some fairy-tale inspired adventure, East by Edith Pattou is one of my all-time favorites. Or, if you want to try out magical realism, let me point you to Neil Gaiman’s delightfully spooky The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Historical Fiction
There are many forms of historical fiction, some lighter than others, but I grew up on the epic variety, so that’s where my brain immediately goes. And Pachinko by Min Jin Lee is an excellent example of the inter-generational historical epic. It follows a family through the better part of the 20th century, through political and social upheaval, through personal tragedies, and through thorny familial relationships. It is dramatic but never maudlin, which is exactly how I like my historical epics.
And if you enjoy Pachinko, I also recommend the novels of Pulitzer Prize-winner Edna Ferber, which likewise feature indomitable women in extraordinarily difficult circumstances – though written with a more poetic lilt.
Horror
I’ll be honest with you – this is not my genre. In fact, I’ve barely dabbled in it. But I do know that Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic for a reason. It’s had a massive impact on the genre and on Western culture, but I promise, even if you think you already know the story – you don’t.
Mystery
Another genre with a plethora of subdivisions! But I’ll keep it to four. Rapid-fire! For general mystery and adventure, I love Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers and Sujata Massey’s The Widows of Malabar Hill. For hard-boiled 20th-century detective fiction, Vera Caspary’s psychological enigma, Laura. For cozy mystery, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (it’s like reading a hug! but with a side of murder!). And for mystery with a fantasy-steampunk twist, P. Djèlí Clark’s A Master of Djinn, which is set in an alternative history early 20th-century Cairo, with angels, magic, djinn, and some truly badass female protagonists.
Romance
This one is tough!! Okay. I can do it. There are lot of ways to go with historical romance – silly, dramatic, frothy or plot-heavy – but today, I’ll recommend Courtney Milan’s Brothers Sinister series (The Countess Conspiracy is my personal favorite). These novels are fun, sharp, and thoughtful. On the heavier side, but a good intro, I think, for readers unused to the genre and who want something with more contemporary sensibilities than, say, the romance novels of the ’90s. If you’re new to romance, by the way, most romance series are less a series than a string of books that take place in the same universe. So, you may see characters from other novels, but each book can still be read as a standalone. Pick a title that appeals to you and go wild!
And now, I have a couple of contemporary romance recommendations, too! If you want explicit romance, Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert is a delightful, bubbly romantic comedy, with some scorching heat. But if you prefer closed-door romance, Farah Heron’s Accidentally Engaged may be for you. It’s warm, sweet, and still makes me laugh just thinking about it, even months after reading.
Science Fiction
And now we come to our final category! Science fiction can be one of the more intimidating genres, for a variety of reasons, but I think Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire is an excellent representative. It has space travel and futuristic technology but like all the best scifi stories, it’s really about people and social issues. Also like most of my favorite scifi novels, it’s interested in the form and power of language and communication.
So there you have it – my recommendations for where to start with unfamiliar genres! That wasn’t as rapid-fire as I’d hoped it would be, but… I tried? And I hope you now have some ideas for your next read!
What are your favorite books to recommend for genre explorers? Or what book(s) got you hooked on a genre you hadn’t read before?
–b
Book It With Becca 
My genres are Trashy bestsellers, old mysteries ala Christie and steamy romances :)))
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I love your trash, Panda!
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