There are millions of readers around the world that have their favorite book genres. These books contain worlds full of excitement and wonder that leave readers hungry for more. However, not all of these books are the same. They are diverse such as a specific genre. Readers around the world know how to navigate this system of categories and pick their favorite books from them. This results in some of the top genres dominating different countries. These genres have been put in a list to explain their origins and what these readers enjoy about them.
Romance
You can find romance in almost every genre. Romance gained a 24 percent increase in popularity around 2022. Stories of romance have been around since the middle of the 12th century. However, romance novels did not appear until the 18th century. These readers enjoy reading about the relationship of a couple and the journey they go through to get a happily ever after. Readers of Jane Austen, Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry, and many more authors know how wonderful and exciting this genre is– it pulls at the heartstrings, giving you all the feels. The countries that enjoy this genre are Romania, Venezuela, Hungary, Brazil, Greece, France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and South Africa.
Poetry
Poetry is a lyrical and symbolic genre. It is a beautiful combination of words that form a story, message, image, or feeling. Most researchers believe this genre started as songs and was passed through generations by word of mouth. But the first written poem is cited as The Epic of Gilgamesh. Poetry has now evolved since then. Readers of this genre love the lyrical nature of the poems and how complex these poems can become. The countries that love this genre are India, Canada, Finland, Turkey, South Africa, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Fantasy
The fantasy genre is one of the most extraordinary ones on our list. It throws the reader into worlds of myths, legends, magic, and many more fantastical backdrops. These readers enjoy a particular escape from real life as they plunge into more exciting ones. This genre goes to the roots of humanity as there have always been myths and folklore to impart lessons or pieces of history throughout centuries. The first novel of this genre is The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin in 1841. The readers of this genre enjoy the magic and excitement this genre offers. Fantasy is most popular in Germany, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and Russia.
Classic
The classic genre is a mixed bag of literature. Some different periods and topics interest any reader that enjoys learning about other pieces of time. This genre’s periods are from the Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Postmodern with many more before them. While some readers might think of these books as ‘old’ or ‘boring,’ that is not true. This genre is exciting as the reader gets to watch the drama or mystery unfold. These readers love to read books like Dracula, Little Women, The Great Gatsby, and similar books. The countries that love this genre the most are the U.K., U.S., Sweden, Ireland, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.
Adventure
Books like The Three Musketeers and Treasure Island are a part of the adventure genre. However, this is a sub-genre as many narratives, especially the ones listed here, include adventure complemented with another genre. It is difficult to figure out when a true adventure book is published, but it is debated that Robin Crusoe by Daniel Defoe was the first one. These readers enjoy the heart-pounding and blood-pumping dangers the plot takes them on. Readers of this genre enjoy movies such as The Mummy, Indiana Joes, and so many more. The readers also read books like The Call of the Wild, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and similar books. The countries that love this genre are Australia, Korea, and Turkey.
Manga
The manga genre is one of the most unique on this list. This genre is made up of graphic novels that originated from Japan. The graphic novels are mostly aimed at adults, and some are even read from right to left. Readers enjoy the different sub-genres within this genre as it creates its world of stories. These readers are also passionate about what they read. Readers of this genre read books like Fruits Basket, Fairy Tail, Tokyo Ghoul, and many more. However, please keep in mind that some of these books have traumatic events, so research triggers. Additionally, this genre is said to be started in 1814, when it was sketched as scenes about daily life. The country that loves this genre the most is Sweden.
Horror
Horror is a genre that makes the readers’ hair stand up and gives them the thrill of suspense. The genre began in the 18th century. The book that is thought to start this genre is the Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole in 1765. It is no coincidence that by the time the 18th century started, more gothic novels were coming out. Readers of this genre love to feel the rush of adrenaline and excitement that comes with the genre. The countries that love this genre are Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Thriller
The thriller genre leaves the reader turning and wondering what is going to happen next. The first thriller is cited to be Homer’s Odyssey which was in 725 BCE. However, one could argue that The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas was the first true thriller. The genre was 12.5 percent of sold books in 2021. These readers love the twists and turns of the plot. They also enjoy the different sub-genres of this genre as they excite and challenge the reader to guess what the ending will be. The countries that enjoy these books are the Netherlands and Belgium.
Crime
Crime is another genre that thrills the reader and keeps them on their toes. This genre sold 18.7 million in fiction in 2018 with the numbers rising higher since then. The first detective story is thought to be Edgar Allen Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Readers of this genre love to solve the crime before the detective. They also delight in figuring out the motives behind the criminal’s actions. The country that enjoys this book is Norway.
In addition to these genres, there are more that readers enjoy. However, while these genres are at the top in these countries, it is essential to remember that every reader is different! Readers will always have genres they like and do not like. But creating a place for everyone’s genres is vital because it creates an environment where everyone can enjoy what they like. These genres, and other genres, will always be special to the reader that reads them.
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