Genre is a word that I say all the time! As a librarian and a nosy person, I constantly ask people what their favorite book or genre is. According to Merriam Webster, genre is defined as: a particular type or category of literature or art. I love to find out what other people read, so I guess I have the perfect job as a librarian.
Goodreads ranks the most popular book of the year (2015) so far as “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins. This title is a mystery/thriller. Mysteries seem to be a very popular genre right now. Authors like Gillian Flynn, James Patterson, and John Sandford are in demand at the Drake Public Library and currently rule the New York Times Bestseller list. “The Girl on the Train” has been a steady winner on the list for the last 29 weeks.
Romance novels are a fun genre also. The romance section includes, paranormal romances like “All I want for Christmas is a Vampire” by Kerrelyn Sparks. Other sub genres within the romance world include historical romances, inspirational romances, and young adult romances. According to the Romance Writer’s of America website, in 2013, annual total sales of romance novels (print and electronic) totaled 1.08 billion dollars! The romance genre makes up 13% of all adult book sales. 84% of romance readers are female and 16% are male.
I am writing about genres today because we are starting a new book club at the Drake Public Library. The book club will read a different genre each month. The goal is to try other genres and sub genres of literature. There is time to join. Our first selection is “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern. It is a fantasy tale full of magic, competition, and a dash of romance. Stop by and request your copy. We will be borrowing copies from other libraries in the state of Iowa. If you are interested, the group will be meeting in September to discuss this book. Check the website’s calendar for the exact date and time.
