Most authors don't like micro group genres, however, the ever dynamic times of today have given publishers a chance to give readers to read what they are living everyday . We know the most common ones, fiction, non-fiction, romance, action, mystery; however, there are some genres which have surfaced in last couple of years making reading a much diverse habit to relish.
Cli-fi
Cli-fi is an abbreviation for Climate-Fiction, a fiction where one of the major factors is climate change. It can be a science fiction set in another planet but it's often set in our own world, in the present or future, where it explores the effects climate change has. Sometimes the main theme is the protaginist's fight agianst a particular cause which is a concequence of climate change. In our rapidly declining world, this genre is gaining importance.
Books to read: 'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh, the Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin
Since we are at it, let us discuss some other new genres which have come to light recently. They are seeped in history and fantasy. Have a look.
Wuxia
Wuxia in Chinese means martial heroes. Such literary works have protaganist who is a Chinese martial artist or is mastering such an art. The plot involves the hero understanding what is right and fighting for it. You would find such books in other languages and cultures too. For isntance, Bushido in Japanese.
Books to read: The Legend of the Condor Heroes: 'A Hero Born' by Jin Yong, 'The Ring' by Wo Chi Xi Hong Shi.
Urban Fantasy
These books add strong magical elements to the modern world we live in today, weaving it with our history. For example, a look at modern day Kolkata and practicing witchcraft. The vampire fiction popular during 2000's fall under this category.
Books to read: The Bartimaues Trilogy by Johnathan Stroud, The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Dystopia
This genre is about a story set in a world riddled with injustice, usually governmental but often religious or scientific as well. Many are set in post-apocalyptic world.
Books to read: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 'The Handmaids Tale' by Margaret Atwood
Magic Realism
These books are set in our world (the real world) and there is a subtle hint that magic exists. It works mysteriously through the book but it's usually not the focus. Often you can choose whether to believe magic played a part in the plot or not. For example, a book where a tarot reading or a ridiculous prophesy in the beginning of the book ends up being true, leaving it to a reader’s imagination whether it was a coincidence or not.
Books to read: 'Gun Island' by Amitav Ghosh, 'Like Water for Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel
Utopia
This is the opposite of a dystopian book for it imagines a perfect world as the setting of the plot. Its often in conjunction with sci-fi and set in another planet rather than in our own world.
Book to read: 'Island' by Aldous Huxley, 'Men Like Gods' by H.G. Wells and 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry
Epic Fantasy
This genre is reserved for books that are set in their own world. The author can create a world different from our own with magical rules taking precedence over our scientific laws. These worlds are often inspired by our own stories and myths or set in worlds that intersect with ours.
Books to read: Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien, A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
Bildungsroman
This is a genre that gives an indication of the character growth arc. In these books, the readers witness the protagonist grow and mature. They're often coming-of-age stories set around when the protagonist goes from being a child to an adolescent or when an adolescent matures into an adult but there are cases where the protagonist is elder too.
Books to read: 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini and 'Eragon' by Christopher Paolini
Which one is your favorite?