Ultimate genre guide…….Okay, so let me just say this right up front: picking the right book genre is basically like online dating. You’re scrolling, you’re swiping, you’re hoping you don’t accidentally commit to something that looks good on paper but actually makes you want to fake a phone call halfway through. That’s why I wanted to make this little ultimate genre guide—so you don’t end up stuck reading a 700-page Viking saga when really, your soul just needed a rom-com with an iced latte on the side.
And before you ask—yes, this is based on your personality. Or at least the vibes you give off when you’re standing in a bookstore pretending you “don’t need another one.” (Liar. We always need another one.)
The Overthinker (hi, it’s me)
If you’re the type of person who replays a conversation from three years ago while brushing your teeth—yeah, you’re probably an existential lit-fic reader. You like words that feel heavy, like the kind that sit in your stomach after Thanksgiving dinner.
You’ll pick up books where the “plot” is literally someone sitting in a cafe thinking about the nature of time. And you’ll love it.
Recommended genres: Literary fiction, philosophy-tinged sci-fi, stream-of-consciousness novels.
Translation: Books that make you go “what even is reality?” at 2 a.m.
(I once tried reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being on a beach trip. Terrible idea. Nothing like pondering the futility of existence while your cousin is applying neon green sunscreen in streaks.)
The Hopeless Romantic
You cry at engagement TikToks. You cried during that one scene in The Notebook. And you cry every single time the dog looks at you a certain way.
You, my friend, are a romance reader—maybe historical romance if you like corsets and candlelight, maybe spicy contemporary if you like texts that end with “u up?”
Recommended genres: Romance (all subcategories), chick-lit, anything with fake dating or enemies-to-lovers.
Bonus points: You 100% make Pinterest boards for characters that don’t even exist.
And listen—I don’t care what people say about “romance isn’t serious literature.” The global publishing industry literally survives on romance readers. You are the backbone. Stand tall.
The “Don’t Talk To Me Until I’ve Had Coffee” Introvert
If your idea of a perfect Saturday is canceling plans you never wanted in the first place, curling up under a blanket, and ignoring all texts… then welcome to the mystery/thriller section.
You like puzzles. You like feeling smart when you figure it out on page 300 (and you’ll smugly tell your friend you guessed the twist—even if you didn’t).
Recommended genres: Psychological thrillers, locked-room mysteries, cozy mysteries (bonus if they involve cats).
Extra credit: Audiobooks while you clean your kitchen and pretend you’re gathering clues.
When I read Gone Girl for the first time, I swear I didn’t breathe for three chapters straight. Also, kinda wanted to text my ex like “hey, just checking you’re not planning anything wild?”
The “I Wanna Live in Another World” Escapist
If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about how you’d totally slay as a dragon rider, or if you know way too much Elvish for someone with a 9-to-5 job, congrats—you’re a fantasy/sci-fi reader.
Life’s stressful. You want portals, quests, swords that glow, and maybe a talking animal sidekick. Real life doesn’t have enough magic, so you grab it from books.
Recommended genres: Epic fantasy, urban fantasy, space operas, YA fantasy with angsty chosen ones.
Confession time: I once legit tried to make my own wand out of a chopstick and hot glue. Still waiting for my Hogwarts letter.
The History Nerd (a.k.a. walking Wikipedia)
You know that person who always has a “fun fact” at parties? Yeah, that’s you. You probably own at least one pair of round glasses even if you don’t need them.
You’re built for historical fiction. Or straight-up history. You’ll spend hours reading about ancient Rome, then somehow connect it to a random news headline.
Recommended genres: Historical fiction, war sagas, biographies, alternative history.
Just don’t be that guy who ruins a movie night by whispering, “Actually, they didn’t have forks back then.”
The Chaos Gremlin
You thrive on energy drinks, late-night memes, and saying “we ball” way too much. Your brain is basically one long TikTok scroll.
Your books? Fast-paced. Messy. Explosive. Horror, thrillers, dystopias. You like stories that make you go “what the actual hell did I just read?”
Recommended genres: Horror (slashers, gothic, paranormal), dystopian YA, dark fantasy.
When I first read Stephen King’s It, I didn’t sleep for three nights. But ask me if I regret it. Nope. Worth it.
The “I Want to Feel Inspired” Friend
You’re the type who highlights quotes in self-help books and actually revisits them (the rest of us just… forget).
You gravitate toward nonfiction, memoirs, and self-development. You want words that push you, shake you, maybe even guilt-trip you a little into becoming your “best self.”
Recommended genres: Memoir, self-help, productivity hacks, inspirational nonfiction.
Sometimes these books feel like a pep talk from a slightly aggressive coach. And honestly? That’s the energy we all need.
The Mood Reader about Ultimate genre guide
Okay, but real talk—most of us don’t fit neatly into one box. Some days I want a swoony romance. Other days I want blood, guts, and a haunted doll in the basement.
That’s fine. That’s normal. Your personality isn’t one-dimensional, so your reading life doesn’t have to be either.
TL;DR (but like, still read): Ultimate genre guide
Your personality doesn’t decide your genre, but it definitely influences what feels good at different times. Books are mood rings for the brain. So whether you’re into romance, historical fiction, sci-fi, thrillers, or all of the above, there’s something waiting for you.
And if all else fails? Just pick the book with the prettiest cover. No shame in that game.
Outbound Links:
- Paulo Coelho interview — The Guardian
- Sylvia Plath bio & works — Poetry Foundation
- Original “Crying in H Mart” essay — The New Yorker
- James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter — James Clear
- Matt Haig’s blog — Matt Haig
