When the weather turns cold and snowy it’s the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a pile of books. In January the library is hosting a Winter Genre Challenge. It’s an opportunity to explore books that you normally wouldn’t consider reading.
The challenge is simple. Read a book in a genre you don’t normally read, then fill out a brief questionnaire to be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card that can be redeemed at one of several local businesses. Only DeKalb residents are eligible to win a gift certificate, but everyone is welcome to join the challenge.
Here are some suggestions of genres you might find interesting, as well as links to books in each:
- Magical Realism: a style of writing that blends a realistic setting with fantastical or supernatural elements.
- Poetry: literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
- Narrative Nonfiction: a literary genre that tells true stories using the techniques and styles of fiction, blending factual information with compelling storytelling.
- Essay Collection: a book or anthology containing a group of essays, often united by a theme or subject.
- Thriller: characterized by heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, and anxiety. It’s often plot-driven, known for their intense pace and focus on the emotional and psychological impact of a story.
- Romantasy: a genre that blends fantasy and romance, where both elements are equally important and drive the narrative.
- Nordic Noir: crime fiction usually written from a police point of view and set in Scandinavia or the Nordic countries.
- Travel Literature: The genre of travel literature or travelogue encompasses outdoor literature, guide books, nature writing, and travel memoirs.
- Epistolary Text: a narrative form that is predominantly composed of letters and diary entries, but can also include other documents like emails, transcripts, and even newspaper articles.
We also have lists of books from these genres available in the Adult Services Department.
You can also explore more genres by joining one or more of our books clubs. No registration is necessary. Just show up! Books are available in the Adult Services Department roughly one month before each meeting.
- Romance Book Club: diverse books with a romantic plot. Meetings are every second Monday at 7:00pm.
- Senior Book Club: an opportunity for seniors to gather and discuss both fiction and non-fiction titles. Meetings are every second Tuesday at 10:00am.
- General Book Club: various fiction and non-fiction books from a variety of genres. Meetings are every second Thursday at 7:00pm.
- Suspense Book Club: suspenseful thrillers that will keep you up at night. Meetings are generally every third Monday at 7:00pm.
- Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Book Club: fiction titles with a peculiar bent. Meetings are every third Tuesday at 7:00pm.
Have questions? Need more personalized suggestions? Contact the reference desk at [email protected] or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.