Horror

Horror is an interesting genre. Do I get grief from many of my friends because how could a book possibly be scary? Obviously, there aren't any jump scares or intense music to heighten the mood, so finding a well-written horror novel that can make the skin on your arm stand up is crucial. For your sake, I will only include one book from Stephen King or this list could become very long.

1. "Carrie" by Stephen King

2. "The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson

Inspirational Non-Fiction

This is more of a sub-genre for the go-getters out there looking for some motivation. For people who use books as a means of escaping real-world responsibilities, finding applicable books makes reading feel very productive! For the non-readers who want to explore something more direct and relevant, these books are for you.

1. "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert

2. "Girl Boss" by Sophia Amoruso

Popular Fiction

This is a wide genre of fiction that appeals to many different audiences. I would refer to these types of books as easy beach reads. For someone who wants to advance into literary fiction later on or for someone who wants a break from difficult reads, this genre is for everyone.

1. "The Vacationers" by Emma Straub

2. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Tragedy

Tragic novels aren't everyone's cup of tea, but sometimes you need a good cry. If you're looking for more advanced tragic reads, try reading some of Shakespeare's many tragedies, such as "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet."

1. "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

2. "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng

Literary Fiction

I saved the best for last, my favorite category. Literary fiction is a more advanced level of literature, but the reads are much more rewarding with their complex themes and analysis. You might not have truly appreciated this genre because you were forced to read it in English classes in school. My advice is to find a classic within your area of interest. Goodreads has an amazing list of most all the classics.

1. "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens

2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

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