No. 1: Realistic Fiction

• Although we tend to use books to escape reality, I find it quite interesting to find books that mirror situations I go through myself. Whether it be from the general pains of being a teenager to the dynamics of any relationship— platonic or not—, the way authors can portray life as something worth reading is always amazing. Realistic fiction incorporates lifelike characters and plots in order to relate to real life of the reader. If written well, the life advice from there could be useful.
• I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds

No. 2: Science Fiction

• I love reading intricate sci-fi and the main reason is because it usually combines worldbuilding with a moral dilemma and that always has me entertained. Not only does sci-fi make us question if we are truly alone, but also how we would react to situations that seem so unrealistic, we miss the underlying moral message. I like a good, simple action story as much as the next person, but veiled corruption or a secret tyrannical government hidden behind teleportation and genetic engineering always makes a story much more interesting.
• Unwind by Neal Shusterman, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, 1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

No. 3: Historical Fiction

• History can be quite boring when read in textbooks and lectured about in classes, and that’s why I find historical fiction novels to be a nice contrast. Historical fiction uses the setting and characters to educate the reader about a specific event in history in order to inform in a more comprehensible way. Historical fiction throws you into unfamiliar territory as the setting is intentionally unlike the world you live in now. Despite this, the characters, no matter how old— or dead— they may be now, are used to sympathize with the readers. Much like sci-fi, historical fiction forces the reader to ask his or herself what they would do in that situation.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

No. 4: Horror/Thriller

• Personally, I cannot watch horror films, mainly because I cherish my ability to sleep when I want and I would rather not be thinking about creepy kids at 1 A.M. But, horror novels? Count me in. I love reading books that make you so nervous to turn the next page even when you know all that is going to greet you is more words.
• I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid, Asylum series by Madeleine Roux, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

No. 5: Mystery

• From Agatha Christie to Nancy Drew, mysteries have enamoured generations with inquisitive narrators, dodgy alibis, and treacherous red herrings. Creating an interesting mystery novel requires the ability to show everything while simultaneously giving nothing away. Mystery novels have me counting down the pages before the answer is revealed.
• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes, I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie