Looking at some of the most popular books today, the broad genres of mystery, sci-fi and romance might feel outdated. Now, we are seeing the rise of “microgenres” that mix and match different elements to create unique storytelling styles. The explosion of these niche genres, largely thanks to the specific algorithms of Instagram and TikTok, is perhaps a reflection of the times we live in.
Ready to update your book list? Here are five trending genres that prove reading is about more than just a good story – it’s about finding the right space for your imagination to explore.
1. Romantasy
Many bookstores these days stack their tables with covers of castles, fantastical creatures and dramatic intrigue.
This is “romantasy”, a combination of romance and fantasy. It blends the high stakes of epic fantasy – war, magic and world-building – with the emotion of a romance novel. Unlike traditional fantasy, where romance might be a side plot, the love story is the main event in romantasy. It offers the best of both worlds: the escapism of a magical universe and the swooning of a love story.
Example: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan has a sweeping celestial setting rooted in Chinese myths. It follows a young ruler who must save her people by working with a ruthless, yet magnetic, immortal.
2. Cosy fantasy
Does reading about the end of the world or devastating wars stress you out? Then cosy fantasy might be just the warm hug you need – in the form of a book.
Imagine a fantasy adventure, but instead of fighting monsters, the characters decide to open a bakery. These stories have low stakes: nobody is trying to save the world, and the conflict is usually small, like running a business or making friends. They focus on warmth, heart and charm.
Example: In The Baby Dragon Café by A.T. Qureshi, Saphira opens a cafe where people can come with their pet baby dragons, and she agrees to help someone train his dragon.
3. Dark academia
This concept is not just a literary genre – it is also an aesthetic and internet subculture.
Dark academia stories are usually set in elite universities, boarding schools or libraries. They focus on an obsession with knowledge, classical literature and the arts – but with a dark, often murderous twist. You can expect characters wearing tweed jackets, reading ancient Greek and hiding terrible secrets. It often includes a thrilling mystery that romanticises student life.
Example: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang features two students of the arcane arts at an otherworldly version of Cambridge who must venture into hell and confront dangerous secrets.
4. Hopepunk
Created to be the opposite of the grimdark genre, which has stories that are violent, dystopian and depressing, hopepunk features the core belief that there is hope. These books usually acknowledge that the world is messy, but the characters choose kindness and optimism to create a better future. The central theme is that fighting for the world is worth it.
Hopepunk will resonate with anyone who wants to see characters building community rather than just surviving an apocalypse.
Example: E.J. Swift’s When There Are Wolves Again weaves together the story of two women in the United Kingdom. Set decades into the future, it is ultimately about how humanity can heal the planet.
5. Climate fiction
While science fiction often looks at how technology can create different universes, climate fiction, or cli-fi, is about how climate change could shape humanity.
Early cli-fi was mostly about humans surviving natural disasters, such as the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow. Newer cli-fi books explore humanity’s impact on the environment and the catastrophic futures that may be possible because of climate change.
These stories often give a voice to nature itself, treating Earth not just as a setting, but as a character. They ask: if the planet could speak, what would it say about us?
Example: Helm by Sarah Hall is about a wind, named Helm, which has been blowing over northern England for thousands of years. It watches humans – from prehistoric tribes to modern scientists – with curiosity, amusement and sometimes rage.
