Genre is something that lacks a definite structure. While one person may classify a book under a particular genre, another reader walks away from a totally different impression.
It doesn't help that most books are only given one/two genres. Walking in to any bookstore or library, books are automatically grouped based on their overall genre, which can sometimes make it hard to find the particular book you are looking for.
So, when I label a book, I include the multiple genres that I believe the book falls into. Since definitions of each of these genres may vary, I have a brief description of what each of these genres mean in my head. I also hope they help you find a book you might be interested in.
It doesn't help that most books are only given one/two genres. Walking in to any bookstore or library, books are automatically grouped based on their overall genre, which can sometimes make it hard to find the particular book you are looking for.
So, when I label a book, I include the multiple genres that I believe the book falls into. Since definitions of each of these genres may vary, I have a brief description of what each of these genres mean in my head. I also hope they help you find a book you might be interested in.
Contemporary Fiction
This label refers to the setting of the book. Books with this label take place in our modern world, but the story itself is fictional.
Fairy Tales
There are a lot of fairy tales out there, and most people are familiar with the Disney
retellings of the stories; however, there are a ton of books out there that retell a specific
fairy tale or folk tale. This label is for books that are clearly a retelling of a particular
fairy tale (or folk tale). I also have each book with this label also labeled with the
story being retold.
Fantasy
This label refers to the setting of the book. The book takes place in a world that is not
our own, one that typically has some sort of magic in it (though that may not
always be the case).
Historical Fiction
This label refers to the setting of the book (as well). These books take place in our
world during some historical time period, and while the book may be based on real
events, the actual story is fiction.
Mythology
Books with this label incorporate mythology into their story, whether it is Greek,
Roman, Norse, Native American, Egyptian, or any other mythology. The gods
from these mythologies are alive and active in the lives of the book's main characters,
and they are obviously counting on the reader knowing/recognizing basic mythology.
Romance
This label means that there is a clear romantic element to the book; this could mean
that there is some romantic interest that effects the decisions of the main character,
or that romance is really rhe main focus of the entire plot. This label DOES NOT
necessarily mean "R" content; I have labeled many young adult books as "romance"
because there is a strong romantic element to the story. (Check to see if the book is
also labeled "young adult"; if so, this means that the romantic content doesn't go
above a "PG-13" level.)
Urban Fantasy
This label also refers to the setting of the book. Books with this label take place in a
modern or future version of our world, one that has magic and typically also has
fantastical creatures such as vampires, werewolves, shifters, witches, faeries, etc.
