The Beginner’s Guide to Reading A New Genre

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
— Stephen King

I totally agree with Stephen King on this one. The best way to learn about great writing is to reading books that are great.

But what should you be reading? You must be asking this question yourself, but before you start your journey on what should you be reading you must know the types of books there is to read.

Nonfictional Books

“Nonfiction” refers to literature based in fact. Nonfiction books contain factual information, such as biographies and history books. Reading non fictional books are great way to learn from others imagination and experiences.

Examples of nonfiction books include:

• Most biographies are nonfiction. I say “most” biographies, because a biography of a fictional character is really a fictional book.
• The Diary of Anne Frank is nonfiction and a journal, making it a nonfiction journal
• The Mein Kampf is also non fictional book and an autobiography of Adolf Hitler’s life.
• Most Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are nonfiction because they contain facts about words.
• Travel books such as an atlas are nonfiction.

Fictional Books

Reading a Fiction books, such as romance or science fiction, contain a story created by the author. Fictional works are the most widely read. Some of their elements may based on truth, but they have been embellished, fabricated, and used to create a new story.

Some examples of classic fiction books are :

• The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Now that you know what kinds of books exist, the question is how you’ll choose a genre to read if you’re a beginner. Don’t be too worried about that after reading this post, you’ll most likely figure it out.

What’s a genre?

A genre is simply a style or category of art, music, or literature. How to find out the right genre to read?. You could try Googling all of the literary genres to find the ones you want, but that would be a lot of work.

How to start reading then? Simply connect this to your daily life, ask yourself what type of movies do you like to watch? is it Action? Romance? Comedy? Or horror? Then after you’ve got the answer to this question go straight to Goodreads ( it’s the best website to find books to read that are beginners friendly) search your genre and then go through the books and pickup the one you think you’ll like. That’s how you start reading. That how I started reading.

I’ll point out main Genres in both fiction and non fiction category below-

• Dystopian
• Horror
• Romance
• Historical fiction
• Sci fi
• Mystery
• Thrillers

Dystopian

Reading a Dystopian novel is always fun. Almost as long as writers have been writing, they have imagined the end of the world. Authors such as Margaret Atwood, George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley are masters at exposing the potential realities that could come true based on the decisions made by a group or society. Below are some picks for beginners to read.

1)1984 by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale written by English writer George Orwell. Isn’t constant surveillance and government-controlled media unsettling in today’s nationalist societies? There’s a reason why 1984 sales have skyrocketed in the past few years.

2)The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Could you survive on your own in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?. Panem’s future world is loosely modelled after ancient Rome, where barbaric, brutal tournaments pit man against man in a fight to the death. The Hunger Games are staged for the entertainment of the elite, while those in the districts compete for food and rewards. The book is a witty jab at reality television as well as a dystopian future.

3)The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Thomas awakens in a lift, only remembering his name. He finds himself in a place called the Glade with other boys who have no memories of their own. A never-ending, ever-changing maze surrounds the Glade. It’s the only way out, but no one has ever survived it. Then, one day, a girl arrives, the first girl ever, with a terrifying message.

4)The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

With the rise of religious fundamentalism, Atwood’s dystopian world is becoming more plausible. In a post-nuclear world, Christians have overthrown the government. Fertile women are forced to become breeding machines due to a high rate of infertility. The Handmaid’s Tale is a terrifying depiction of gender discrimination taken to its logical conclusion.

Horror

More than ghosts and monsters are required in a superb horror tale. It must tap into the reader’s own worries, making them feel as terrified as the protagonists. Stephen King, Anne Rice, Peter Straub, and Thomas Harris are masters at making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up straight!. Below are some picks for beginners to read.

1)The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining is a 1977 horror novel by American author Stephen King. It is a classic King horror book that has been ranked number one on various lists. Over the long, cold winter, Jack Torrance and his family will be the caretakers of the Overlook Hotel. What they don’t expect are the bizarre and sinister events that occur.

2)Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Something is out there, No one knows what it is or where it came from. Five years after it began. A handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Interweaving past and present, Bird Box is a snapshot of a world unravelled that will have you racing to the final page.

3)Revival by Stephen King

In a small New England town, in the early 60s, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. This rich and disturbing novel spans five decades on its way to the most terrifying conclusion Stephen King has ever written. It’s a masterpiece from King.

4)Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Few novels have endured in the heart and memory as has Ray Bradbury’s unparalleled literary masterpiece Something Wicked This Way Comes. Scary and suspenseful, it is a timeless classic in the American canon.

Romance

A good love story is popular among readers. You’ll usually find one or two romance novels topping the bestselling lists at any time of the year. Romance novels often get dismissed as trivial, but we know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Writing is all about drawing your reader in and making them feel something; and what genre does that better than romance?. Below are some picks for beginners to read.

1)It Ends With Us by Collen Hoover

If the list is about romance, Collen Hoover is without a doubt the best romance author of this century. Sometimes the one who loves you the most is the one who hurts you the most. Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but it hasn’t stopped her from pursuing the life she desires. This story features Lily, Atlas, and Ryle in an incredible setting.

PS: This is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read, as well as one of the most raw, honest, motivating, and deeply beautiful story.

2)The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. This novel has a unique setup that will keep you guessing until the very end.

3)Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose. This is a Love Story for this generation and perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common — a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks.

4) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has always been terminal, but her story is about to be completely rewritten when a handsome plot twist named Augustus Waters emerges at Cancer Kid Support Group. Once you start reading this you will find yourself hooked.

There are many excellent books in this genre, and the list is certain to grow; I’ll attempt to include the greatest autumn reading in my upcoming posts.

I’ll end this article with this list, and I realise there are four genres left, but what do you think about leaving them for next time?

Till then pick up one of these books and start reading, you wouldn’t know what you want to read until you start reading.

PS: I just thought this and I know its lame :p

“START READING AND SAVE YOURSELF FROM MY LAME READING QUOTES”