A Guide to the More Common Literary Genres

What's a genre?
A genre is a kind or style of book. There are many standard fiction and non-fiction genres. Some books fit several categories, while others clearly fit into only one. The major genres are explained in more detail below.

What's the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
Fictional stories are created out of the imagination with little or no basis in fact. Non-fiction relates stories with characters, settings and other elements that may be factual.

Genre pages now contain a listing of questions to get readers started on reports.

Major genres (fiction) Click on a genre for detailed information

Action/Adventure • Animal Stories • Drama • Fantasy • Historical Fiction • Horror • Humour • Magic Realism • Mystery • Poetry • Realism • Romance • Science Fiction • Western