Deciding how to select a book from the library can be overwhelming. Knowing there are different genres and deciding which genre(s) you like best can help you make a successful, independent book choice. For the month of October, we will share the first page of a variety of books. With a partner you will decide, to which genre the book belongs. Use the chart below to help guide your decision.

Here is an example: To which GENRE(S) does this title belong?

Fiction books contain a made-up story – a story that did not actually happen in real life. Non-fiction or nonfiction books are factual books. Unlike fiction books, they are based on facts and information that can be verified to be true. Action and Adventure stories under this genre usually show an event or a series of events that happen outside the course of the protagonist’s ordinary life. An anthology is a collection of series of works such as short stories, poems, essays, plays, etc. by different authors into a single volume for publication. Classic refers to the fictions that are accepted as the most important and influential books of a particular time period or place.
Comic or Graphic novels are based on a sequence of hand-drawn pictures. The story is usually told visually with very few words and those words are mostly placed either in panels on top or bottom of pictures or as speech bubbles. Crime and Detective as the name suggests, this book genre deals with crime, criminal motives and the investigation and detection of the crime and criminals. Dramas are stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotions are expressed through dialogue and actions. Fables are fictional narratives in prose or verse that typically features personified animals, mythical and legendary creatures, plants, etc. as the main characters. Fairy tale is usually a story for children that involves imaginary creatures and magical events. Fan Fiction as the name suggests, is a fiction written by a fan of a particular book or book series.
 Fantasy under this genre contains a story set in a fantasy world – a world that is not real and often includes magic, magical creatures, and supernatural events. Historical fiction is a genre of book that includes writings that reconstruct the past. Horror is a genre that is intended to or has the ability to create the feeling of fear, repulsion, fright or terror in the readers. Humor fiction is usually full of fun, fancy, and excitement. A Legend is a story,  of a national or folk hero that is considered to be based on facts but also includes imaginative material. Magical Realism is a genre of book wherein magical or unreal elements play a natural part in an otherwise-realistic environment.
Mystery books have a suspenseful plot that often involves a mysterious crime. Suspects and motives are considered and clues throughout the story lead to a solution to the problem. Mythology books include a legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism and often pertaining to the actions of the gods. Realistic fiction has a story that is true to life and seems real but isn’t actually real. Romance is the primary focus of romance fiction is on the relationship and romantic love between two people. Satire is a genre of book that entertains making fun of vices, foolishness, shortcomings, etc. of individuals, corporations, government, or society through sarcasm and irony. Science Fiction typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, time travel, extraterrestrial life, etc.
A short story is a short prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting. A Suspense or Thriller is characterized and defined by the moods they evoke among the readers, giving them heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, thrill, surprise, anticipation, and anxiety. Biography is a narrative on someone’s life written by someone else. When a person himself writes about his life, then the book is called an autobiography. An essay is usually a short literary composition that reflects an author’s outlook or point of view on a particular topic. A memoir is basically a collection of memories that an individual writes on moments or events that he experiences in his life. These writings are taken to be factual. Narrative nonfiction is a genre of books that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives in a format that tells a story.
Periodicals as the name suggest, are written periodically at regular definitive intervals. Reference books  are books that we refer to when we need some specific information. A textbook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. It contains an authoritative and detailed factual description of a topic. A speech is a public address or discourse written into a book. Self-help books contain information that is intended to help the readers to solve their personal problems and make their life better. Poetry is one of the most important genres of books in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

 

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