Readers of the Region, it’s that time again. Whether you track your books on Goodreads, record them in a journal, or simply keep a running list in your head, it’s time to dive into another year of books.
While you may be eager to discover new stories, here’s the rub: which books do you choose? If you have a never-ending list of books on your TBR, how do you determine when to read which books?
As a potential solution to this dilemma, I recommend reading diverse genres to cover more ground than you might otherwise cover if you only stick to one or two genres. If you’re on your seventh mystery novel of the year and feel yourself fading, sticking to that one genre may be the cause of your reading slump.
When intentionally reading multiple genres, you can narrow down the options by varying your reading habits to keep things fresh and exciting. To ensure you are reading multiple genres, you can choose specific times to invest in the different genres you want to explore. I would suggest focusing on a different genre each month to create an intuitive schedule. You would then primarily choose books from said genres to help you stay on track.
Naturally, when reading for fun, read the books you want to read when you want to read them, regardless of genre. Choosing a genre for the month will merely help you keep your reading habits from getting stale and help you select a book when you are overwhelmed with options.
Deciding which genre to explore each month leads to a new question: which genre should you read each month? I propose selecting a genre for each month based on your associations with that month. Take into account what makes each month unique, whether it be the season, a holiday, an annual tradition, upcoming plans, or a general mood you associate with that month.
Below, I have created a list of potential genres to read each month based on my own associations to help you start knocking out those books on your TBR this year.
January - Sci-fi/dystopia
As the first month of the year, January is all about newness. You reflect on the year you left behind and the year ahead and think about what could be different this year, and perhaps, what you’ll miss most in moving on to something new.
This simultaneous look toward the future and longing for the old days, to me, screams sci-fi/dystopia. In this genre, protagonists are faced with new obstacles not faced by previous generations, like killer robots, space civilizations, global pandemics, corrupt caste systems, and the like.
Oftentimes, these unique obstacles are of mankind’s own making, which leads readers to contemplate their own futures as well as the future of the world. While facing these challenges, characters will often yearn for older, simpler times, much like you may when you reach a new year of life.
Popular sci-fi/dystopia books:
- “The Windup Girl” by Paolo Bacigalupi
- “Red Rising” by Pierce Brown
- “1984” by George Orwell
- “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton
- “The Martian” by Andy Weir
February - Romance
Though it’s the shortest month of the year, February still has something to offer with its most popular holiday: Valentine’s Day. Between planning date nights, attending Galentines parties, buying discounted chocolates the day after Valentine’s Day, and encountering more pink and red decor than you ever thought possible, love is on everyone’s mind. Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day leaves a strong impression and is a February hallmark.
With love already on the mind, reading the romance genre in February just makes sense. If romance novels are not your cup of tea, try finding a book that blends romance with one of your tried and true genres. For example, in 2023, there was a lot of buzz about the “romantasy" genre, which blends romance with fantasy.
When you curl up with a hot beverage, a blanket, and a good romance book in February, catching all the feels will keep you warm.
Popular romance books:
- “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld
- “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross
- “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers
- “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
- “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
March - Self-help
While January may seem the natural time to set new goals, I find myself much more motivated to make positive lifestyle changes as daylight grows, birds start to sing, and winter begins to melt away. However, even when you have decided to improve your life, it can be hard to get started.
Making intelligent adjustments to improve your life takes a lot of brain power. To make changes you can actually stick to on a long-term basis is even trickier. You have to evaluate your overall ambitions and determine what small steps you can take towards achieving your goals. It is difficult not to overextend yourself in the beginning by expecting too much of yourself too quickly.
To aid in this process, it is wise to take inspiration from people who have been where you are and gotten to where you aspire to be. Fortunately, there are many books in the self-help genre that can help.
Popular self-help books:
- “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience” by Brené Brown
- “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear
- “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo
- “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman
April - High fantasy
While March may be the first official month of the spring season, April is when spring really kicks into gear in the Region. With cleansing April showers, budding flowers, and the Easter holiday (usually), April is a month of rebirth. To me, April screams, “I’m going on an adventure!” like Bilbo Baggins from “The Hobbit." What better adventure is there than exploring new, fantastic realms?
Spend April reading the high fantasy genre, which is a fantasy that takes place in a fictional world that is unlike the real world. Immerse yourself into a world of unknown lands, histories, cultures, creatures, magic, and technology through high fantasy.
If you desire an escape from reality, reading high fantasy can transport you if only for a little while. As the Earth begins to grow in this world, you can discover the complex world-building of a different reality.
Popular high fantasy books:
- “The Fellowship of the Ring” by J. R. R. Tolkien
- “The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story” by M. L. Wang
- “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo
- “The Way of Kings” by Brandon Sanderson
- “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas
May - Literary fiction
Seeing social posts of new graduates and hearing graduation ceremonies over football stadium loudspeakers is a sure sign that May has come. Graduation season takes me back to English classes in school where students pour over substantial literary works to analyze language and identify themes.
With April’s buds finally blooming and the first strawberries finally ripening, this theme of substance pervades the month of May even in nature. Having substance and literature in mind puts me in the mood to read the literary fiction genre.
Literary fiction differs from other types of fiction because it often focuses on greater, more meaningful themes rather than focusing on entertainment value. It is also typically character-driven as opposed to plot-driven.
Popular literary fiction books:
- “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles
- “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini
- “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver
- “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
- “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr
June - Young adult
As the first month of summer, June heralds summer's trademark warm weather and a whole lot of fun. Since June is an easy, fun month, it makes sense to choose an easy, fun read. For a light read, look no further than the young adult genre.
After a month of heavy reading in May, selecting a young adult novel will be an exciting and welcome change from literary fiction.
The young adult genre can range from dystopia to high fantasy, so you will have plenty of reading options in June. The young adult genre may have an age range of 12-18, but its appeal extends beyond the teenage years.
Popular young adult books:
- “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir
- “Sky’s End” by Marc J Gregson
- “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
- “Legend” by Marie Lu
- “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo
July - Contemporary fiction
With July at the center of the summer months, it is prime time for a vacation, and what vacation is complete without a book to read while you kick back and relax? In the spirit of rest, picking a light read will allow you a moment of calm to help you save energy for exciting summer activities and social gatherings.
Whether you’re looking for something to read at the Dunes, entertainment for a flight, or the perfect book to read at home while taking a break from the heat, the contemporary fiction genre has got you covered.
Since contemporary fiction is set in the present day, there is less of a learning curve than you would experience with a heavier genre like high fantasy. This makes contemporary fiction a great choice if you want to seamlessly transition from your own story to a fictional story.
Popular contemporary fiction books:
- “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
- “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman
- “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
- “The Wishing Game” by Meg Shaffer
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
August - Urban fantasy
Every August signals the transition from summer break and vacation season to the new school year and business as usual. With the month being split between summer fun and settling back into routine, there is a juxtaposition of activities and associations that is unique to August.
These split realities joined together make August a great month to explore the urban fantasy genre. Urban fantasy combines modern-day settings with fantastic and magical elements to create a story that keeps one foot grounded in this world while stepping into the unknown with the other.
Explore city underbellies with portals to fantastic realms and quiet countryside villages inhabited by magical beings as you flip through the pages of an urban fantasy novel.
Popular urban fantasy books:
- “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan
- “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman
- “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare
- “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater
- “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J. K. Rowling
September - Historical fiction
While people may recognize important historical holidays, observances, and traditions throughout the year, September is packed with history. There are many historical dates to remember each September, such as Labor Day, Patriot Day (9/11), Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, Mayflower Day, Native American Day, Mexican Independence Day, and more.
Put yourself in the shoes of those who walked before you by plunging into the historical fiction genre. Reading the historical fiction genre is a great opportunity to learn more about your ancestors, explore unfamiliar cultures and histories, or discover more about a specific historical event that interests you.
From the rise of Ancient Egyptian pharaohs to the building of the Great Wall of China to the expansion of the Roman Empire to the employment of spies during World War II, there are plenty of historical fiction topics to satisfy your curiosity.
Popular historical fiction books:
- “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
- “What the River Knows” by Isabel Ibañez
- “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See
- “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- “The Fountains of Silence” by Ruta Sepetys
October - Mystery/thriller
The days are getting shorter and darker and temperatures drop as the fall season comes into full swing in October. The dark and chill along with the dying, falling leaves set the stage for Halloween at the end of the month.
With nature setting this spooky tone, why not get your heart pumping and your head spinning by picking up a novel in the mystery/thriller genre?
Curl up with a cozy murder mystery set in the English countryside or stay up late reading a mind-bending thriller that will leave you guessing up until the very end to get into the spirit of the season.
Popular mystery/thriller books:
- “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley
- “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie
- “Relic” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
- “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton
- “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle
November - Non-fiction
After the excitement of reading mystery and thriller novels, you are ready for a no-nonsense November. While escaping through mystery, fiction, and fantasy genres is a nice break from day-to-day life, books can also teach us more about the world we live in.
While you may have graduated from high school or college, education is important beyond school walls. Post-graduation, you can take the time to learn what you want, not just what is required to earn a diploma. Dedicate your November to the non-fiction genre, explore its diverse contents, and tailor your reading choices to your specific interests.
Little-known histories, new scientific discoveries, celebrity biographies, moving memoirs, unsolved cases—no-nonsense, non-fiction November has it all.
Popular non-fiction books:
- “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah
- “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America” by Erik Larson
- “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann
- “The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women” by Kate Moore
- “Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard” by Tom Felton
December - Classics
Deemed “the holiday season,” December is bursting with various holidays, including Christmas, perhaps the most popular holiday of the year. Each of these holidays is steeped in rich traditions, some of which date back centuries.
These traditions and holidays of old bring to mind the classic genre of books. Classics can get you into the mindset of previous eras, provide a view the world from traditional perspectives, and help you stay on top of your pop-culture references.
Political satire, romance, injustice, discovery, and more await you when flip through the pages of a classic. Travel back in time and get cozy with a classic while you celebrate new and old traditions during the holiday season.
Popular classic books:
- “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë
- “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
- “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens
- “The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood” by Howard Pyle
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen