How to Research Your Genre by Reading Books
With simple, actionable steps so that you nail your book's genre
(Guess what? You can listen to the full episode by clicking here.)
I'm sure you've heard it before: If you need to figure out your genre, just read a lot of books in that genre, and it will unlock everything for you. You'll just understand it all instantly, all the time.
Okay, no one actually uses those last few phrases when you drop a question about genre research in a Discord server, Facebook group, etc. But sometimes it does kind of feel implied—like you should just be able to read a book (or ten) in your genre and suddenly "get it."
If you're not one of those people who can just instantly get it, that is okay.
The old recommendation of just read books in your genre can feel a little flat. And I've given this advice before! But as I’ve looked at it more closely, I realize it assumes that you already know how to break down a book. It assumes you can intuitively pick out all the tropes, structures, and ideas that make that book fit its genre—just from reading a bunch of them.
Some people can intuitively figure out what their genre requires just by reading widely. Others need a little more research and a little more structure to recognize the patterns and expectations. And that is also okay.
I'm one of those people who can figure things out intuitively, but I’m also a huge nerd about book genres, especially science fiction and fantasy. I love breaking things down into bite-sized pieces so I can understand them more clearly.
So today, I’m bringing some of my best tips and tricks to help you do your genre research more effectively by reading books.
Why Does Genre Research Even Matter?
Genre is its own kind of code, its own language. It's a communication tool.
When you label your book with a specific genre, you’re telling readers to expect certain things. If you say your book is a romance, readers will expect specific beats, emotions, and outcomes. If you add additional adjectives—like clean, steamy, enemies-to-lovers, small town—you’re refining that communication even further.
While nailing down your genre isn’t essential during the first-draft stage, it is crucial when you start editing. That’s when you need to shape your book into something that conveys your awesome ideas in a way that your readers will understand.
Understanding genre expectations (even if you plan to subvert them) helps ensure your book connects with the right audience and delivers what they’re looking for.
Different Ways Writers Approach Genre
Some authors can just feel their genre from the start. They read widely, absorb patterns, and instinctively create stories that fit genre expectations.
Others take a more analytical approach, researching genre structures in advance, outlining based on established formulas, and ensuring they hit every expected beat. This is especially useful for fast production schedules or for writing directly to market.
And then, of course, there are discovery writers (pantsers) who just write—and only later realize their book has drifted into a totally different genre than they intended. Like, Oops, I thought I was writing a supernatural thriller, but apparently, I wrote an epic fantasy.
If that happens, you have a few choices:
Adjust the book to fit your intended genre.
Embrace the genre you actually wrote.
Mash up both genres into something new (which can work beautifully in sci-fi and fantasy—but may niche down your audience).
If you’re wondering whether your unique genre mashup is a trend or something that will stick around, check out my episode: Is It a Trend or Will It Last?
What Books Should You Read for Genre Research?
You want to read a wide selection of books in your genre, including:
Perennial bestsellers (books that have stayed popular over time).
Authors who’ve been writing in the genre for years (they often shape expectations).
Current Amazon top sellers (but be mindful of category invaders—books that don’t actually fit the genre but were miscategorized to rank better).
And here’s a key thing: You do not have to finish every book you start.
If a book is in your genre but really doesn’t resonate with you, you have my permission to DNF it. The goal here is to identify books that both define your genre and connect with your style and interests.
I’m not advocating that you write books you hate just to fit into a genre. Life is too short, and publishing is way too chaotic for that nonsense.
If you need to make money that badly, there are easier ways than forcing yourself to write books that you hate.
The Unexpected Side Effects of Genre Research
As you read, you might realize…
You don’t love the books in your intended genre.
Your book actually fits in a different genre than you thought.
Your first draft naturally blended multiple genres together.
This happens! And when it does, you can either:
Adjust your book to align more closely with your original genre.
Shift your marketing and positioning to fit the genre you actually wrote.
Fully embrace the mashup (while keeping in mind that some niche combinations can limit your audience).
How to Analyze Books for Genre Research
Now that you’ve got your reading list, it’s time to break these books down.
Yes, this is research. That means looking at books not just for enjoyment, but also for patterns and structures. Think of it like taking apart a VCR—only, you know, way more fun (yes, I liked to take things apart as a kid, why do you ask?).
Here are the key things to analyze:
1. Same & Different
What do all these books have in common? What is the same about them?
What makes each one stand out? What is different about them?
Bonus: How does your book compare to them? What similarities does your book share and what makes your book different?
2. Tropes
What tropes show up consistently in the genre?
Which ones vary between books?
Pro tip: Check out reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, FB reader groups, and other places! Readers love pointing out tropes (and how they feel about them).
3. Protagonist & Antagonist Types
What kinds of protagonists are common? Are they bold or reclusive? Sassy or serious? Do they have specific jobs or backstories?
What about antagonists? What traits or motivations do they share?
How do these character types compare to your own book?
4. Character Arcs
Are growth arcs (where the character evolves) more common?
Do flat arcs (where the character stays steadfast) show up more?
Are tragic arcs a thing in your genre?
5. Worldbuilding
What worldbuilding elements are expected in your genre?
Where do authors have more flexibility to innovate?
6. Plot Structures
Does your genre lean toward certain types of plots?
What secondary genres are often blended in? (For example, urban fantasy frequently pairs with mystery/thriller elements.)
7. Themes & Messages
Are there recurring themes across books in your genre?
Science fiction and fantasy are particularly good at embedding themes organically into worldbuilding—so pay attention to how different authors do this.
For more on this, check out my episode on worldbuilding!
Final Thoughts
Reading books for genre research is about reading strategically and finding elements that will resonate with you and with your readers.
If genre expectations don’t come intuitively to you, that’s fine! Use these tips to analyze books, recognize patterns, and understand how your own work fits into the landscape.
Because once you understand genre, you’re not boxed in—you’re empowered. You can choose go along with genre conventions or ignore them. You can choose to add more tropes to your story, take some out, or take that trope in a different direction.
So what genre do you write in?
What books have you read for research?
Did I miss some fantastic tips?
Share in a comment!