All About Genres
If you stop by any MCPL location and ask for our help finding a book, one of the first things we’ll probably ask you is what kind of genres you like to read. For some people, that question is easy, and for others, it’s a little more complicated. So, read on for a list of common genres, as well as some new ones that have cropped up over the years! This post will be the first in a brand-new series.
Basic genres are the ones you’re most likely familiar with—they’re usually how bookstores are laid out, as well as genrefied—the process of organizing, classifying, and categorizing items into genres—libraries. At MCPL, the majority of our fiction collection is not genrefied, however we do separate out some mystery, science fiction and fantasy, and inspirational titles in our adult collection. Learn more about our collections.
Gentle Fiction
If you look at the end caps at the Downtown Library, you’re likely to see one of them listed as gentle fiction—but what does that mean? Simply put, books that fall under this genre are made-up stories that are not graphic. These stories would be considered G or PG by most standards—there might be some allusions to romance, violence, or language, but it’s very mild. Most of these books are full of ordinary people in ordinary situations living their ordinary lives. They’re often sweet, simple, and captivating. Really well-written gentle fiction isn’t saccharine or silly, but full of detailed and well-constructed worlds. Protagonists are often, but not always, female. Situations often deal with a change of heart and the way a person views the world.
In recent years, gentle fiction has expanded beyond its traditional “inspirational” beginnings to encompass many different other aspects of a fiction collection. There are gentle thrillers, gentle romance, gentle science fiction/fantasy, gentle general fiction, and more.
Here are a few examples of our gentle fiction favorites:
The Lost & Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg
What You are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neil