If future interplanetary human colonists, living beyond Earth, need some studying material, Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster could turn out to be a message-in-a-bottle style library. In addition to the spacesuited dummy driver “Starman,” SpaceX revealed the space-bound Roadster also includes a copy of three of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation books, commonly called “The Foundation Trilogy.” What was the significance of putting these specific science fiction novels into space? And did SpaceX really choose the best Asimov books?

On Tuesday, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launched its payload into space: one of Elon Musk’s cars, blasting David Bowie, set for a heliocentric orbit “around” the planet Mars.

In collaboration with the Arch Mission Foundation, the payload also included what SpaceX calls “5D quartz laser storage device…a high tech, high data storage unit that can survive the harsh environment of space.” Think of it as the black box on an airplane combined with the Golden Record NASA put on the Voyager probes in the Seventies.

See also: How Elon Musk Names His Inventions

Arch is storing a copy of Asimov’s Foundation trilogy, which SpaceX says was “the original inspiration for the Arch mission.” But what does that mean? And why put this book series into space?

The primary focus of Asimov’s Foundation stories and novels is the concept of “psychohistory”; the idea that because human beings have amassed enough information to beat the Uncertainty Principle, they can predict and plan for the future. In the stories, a galactic Empire tries to control its own destiny through the implementation of psychohistory, created by the fictional genius Hari Seldon.

So, SpaceX storing a copy of the Foundation trilogy — the novels Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation — makes sense as a metaphor. The books are about how information can help change, and predict the future, and the storing of the books with the Arch technology mirrors that goal.

But are the books themselves as awesome as many say they are? Did SpaceX choose the best possible Asimov books to put out into space for thousands of years? Conceptually, this was clearly a choice that made sense. But will our hypothetical future readers enjoy them?

Philosophically, the Foundation books are fascinating, but as is true of so much of Asimov fiction, these stories lack something in the character department. Some of the people come across as mouthpieces for the ideas, rather than people. Plus, he started writing the short stories upon which the novels were later based in 1941, meaning there’s a lot about these books that will feel outdated. And, there’s also a problem of the fact that the internal continuity of these books sometimes doesn’t match-up completely. By Asimov’s own admission, writing in his retrospective 1969 book Opus 100, “There are disadvantages to a series of stories. There is, for one thing, the bugaboo of self-consistency.”

Ironically, the Foundation Trilogy does not include the excellent prequel novel, written by Asimov much later (1988), called Prelude to Foundation, which features a young Hari Seldon. This book is actually a little breezier and exciting than the more famous trilogy and connects the Foundation series to Asimov’s equally famous robot stories and novels.

Should SpaceX have selected different Asimov books? Maybe. Much of Asimov’s non-fiction is excellent, particularly his essays found in books like or Quasar, Quasar Buring Bright, contain vibrant assertions that are more direct, and far less allegorical than Foundation. For example, in the essay collection, The Planet that Wasn’t There there’s the excellent piece called “Thinking About Thinking,” where Asimov argues (in 1975!) that IQ tests actually just perpetuate institutionalized racism.

Asimov’s science fiction novel The Gods Themselves would have been a good choice, too. It deals with the concept of energy exchange between alternate universes, and other dimensions where gender is totally different. And with that in mind, if you’re going to put a 5D nearly indestructible e-book onto a car flying through space, maybe there could have been a kind of survey of classic science fiction, instead of just Asimov. Perhaps The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin? The Exogenesis books by Octavia Butler?

The bumper sticker in the Tesla that reads “Don’t Panic” is already a reference to Douglas Adams’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so why not include those books too? After all, Elon Musk loves Douglas Adams. He’s going to name the first spacecraft headed to Mars “The Heart of Gold,” in honor of the zany spaceship from the first Hitchhiker’s Guide novel.

It’s pretty awesome that SpaceX and the Arch Foundation put Asimov into space. But perhaps, next time, a science fiction novel or story published after the Fifties could find its way into the future, too.

Louise Willder talked about how books are promoted through back-of-the cover “blurbs.” About Books also reports on the latest publishing industry news and current non-fiction books. At the top of the program, Publisher Weekly's Andrew Albanese discussed the planned merger between Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster, which was recently blocked by a U.S. circuit judge. About Books also reported on the latest publishing industry news, insider interviews, and current non-fiction books featured on C-SPAN’s BookTV for the week of November 13, 2022. close

Step into any bookstore or library, and you’ll find shelves of books organized by popular book genres. Of course, there’s a division between fiction (made up) and nonfiction (true) stories, but the categories don’t stop there. Understanding what makes each genre distinct can help you stride confidently to the shelf of books you’re most likely to enjoy. If your summer studying list is packed with easy, breezy beach reads, you’ll probably find plenty to love on the romance shelf as well. And if Stephen King’s writing is more your speed? Well, it’s to the horror section for you!

As more authors pump out cross-genre books, it can be tricky to track how many genres actually exist. There is no hard, fast number. Some librarians might say there are 14 or 15 genres of books, while some authors might quickly list off a few dozen. What we can say for sure is that book genres evolve just as language and tastes evolve. And one more thing to keep in mind: Age ranges—think middle-grade children’s books, young adult and adult—are not genres. A book’s genre depends on the style and themes, not the age-appropriateness of the material.

Below, discover 35 popular book genres, along with studying suggestions that include the best books of all time, mystery books, true-crime books, autobiographies, memoirs and more.

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Fiction

The characters aren’t real. The magic, mystery and monsters are made up. And the historical events are a backdrop for the author’s imagination. But the adrenaline and excitement you feel while flipping the pages of a fiction book? Well, that’s just a benefit of reading.

Action and adventure

From swashbuckling sea adventures and jungle treks to sports stories and action-packed treasure hunts, the action and adventure book genre beckons readers with tales of derring-do. Of course, many action and adventure novels also cross into other categories. You’ll spot action-packed plots in crime dramas, mystery novels, thrillers, science fiction and even fantasy. What makes a book fall into this category is that it keeps moving—think page-turning action in place of character contemplation or lush, evocative descriptions of the setting.

Beach reads

There’s no singular definition for the beach read book genre, a class of easy, breezy novels perfect for poolside or seaside reading. So then what makes the perfect beach read? Whether the plot is driven by action or romance, the book should appeal to a broad swathe of readers. It shouldn’t be too intellectually involved or require a detailed spreadsheet to understand the medley of characters or turns of events. In short, beach reads are easy and enjoyable stories. Bonus points for vacation-destination settings!

Classics

Classic books tend to be old and widely read. They frequently appear on high school English studying lists or college literature syllabi. Love them or hate them, the classics are here to stay. Their universal themes, from forbidden love (Romeo and Juliet, anyone?) to evolving identity (as in Their Eyes Were Watching God), have sparked book club discussions for decades. Unfortunately, most novels canonized as classics do not represent the diversity of today’s readers. That’s why it’s important to read across book genres, incorporating both age-old authors and fresh voices into your studying routine.

Dark academia

Fancy a gothic story set in a boarding school or university? What about a novel peopled with academics who study the underworld or have visions of an alternate, darker reality? These are classic dark academia vibes. This genre is marked by dark plot twists against an academic backdrop. Dark academia books tend to fall into other genres as well—fantasy-tinged academic tales or murder in academia, for instance. That’s why you may hear people calling dark academia a subgenre rather than a stand-alone genre.

Domestic fiction

Domestic fiction tends to be a realistic (rather than fantastical) portrayal of daily middle-class life. Conflicts are intimate and interpersonal, such as a friendship gone awry or a marriage gone bad. Often, these books are set in the suburbs or contemporary work environments. While these descriptions make the novels sound plodding and ordinary, great domestic fiction is anything but boring. Contemporary writers like Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng have mastered the art of suspenseful domestic fiction that thrums with moral conundrums, dark secrets and unreliable narrators.

Dystopian

Cold, heartless politicians have overtaken society. Human rights are legally violated. Or maybe humanity’s reliance on technology has created an inescapably numbed future. Whatever the specifics, the joys of the past have been stripped from daily life, and the future looks bleak. Welcome to dystopia! Dystopian fiction asks readers to imagine a world in which political structures have gone sideways. It’s speculative and scary yet realistic enough to ask the reader, “Could this happen?”

Erotica

Erotic fiction falls under the broader genre of romance fiction, but don’t confuse these books for traditional romance novels or rom-coms. These books stand apart for their mature themes, provocative banter and steamy sex scenes. The erotic book genre could technically include explicit nonfiction too, but most fans of modern erotic romance reach for books with some character development and plot twists. While their subcategory is up for debate, many Colleen Hoover books have been dubbed “spicy” by #BookTok fans. But probably the most recognizable erotica novel is none other than Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fairy tale

According to the Massachusetts College for Liberal Arts, the fairy-tale genre includes magical stories, “usually originating in folklore.” Themes include heroism, coming of age and resourcefulness. Often, the hero or heroine ascends from rags to riches or obscurity to fame. Though most well-known fairy tales in the United States have European roots, the fairy-tale genre spans continents and cultures.

Fantasy

Fantasy has long been a popular book genre for readers who crave total escapism. From sword fights to sorcery and dragons to dire wolves, fantasy stories take readers on a journey that illuminates real-world lessons and truths through an entirely speculative setting. Within this sprawling category, you’ll find subgenres like high fantasy (think Lord of the Rings), portal fantasy (like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), urban fantasy (like American Gods) and more.

Graphic novel

Nope, graphic novels aren’t the same as comic books. While these stories are told in a comic-strip format, they’re longer and cover a wider range of book genres than comic books do. Stellar graphic novels include the same essential elements as any good read: dynamic characters, rising and falling action, and a compelling plot. And don’t let anyone tell you they’re not “real” books—Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus, a story about the Holocaust, even won the Pulitzer Prize.

Historical fiction

While historical fiction is constrained by time, the books are hardly stifled by the genre’s bounds. Bestselling historical fiction novels span time and place: Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles sets up in ancient Greece. Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing transports readers to 18th-century West Africa. And E.L. Doctorow’s Ragtime brings 20th-century New York City to life. Some historical fiction books are also romances. Others are thrillers or mysteries. What defines the genre is that the story uses real places and events as settings and plot points in a fictional story.

Horror

The horror genre offers speculative fiction in its most terrifying form. In other words, great horror books are realistic enough to be believable while still packing an adrenaline-surging punch. Bestselling author Stephen King breaks the genre into three subtypes: Gross-out, horror and terror. But you may find tinges of other genres within the mix, like the dark humor that runs through Grady Hendrix’s The Final Girl Support Group or the simmering romance found in so many vampire novels. At the end of the day, though, what lands a novel in this category is the ability to scare readers silly.

LGBTQ+

The growing LGBTQ+ category spans a variety of book genres, from sweet romances to sci-fi thrillers to tender coming-out stories. What sets this genre apart is that a queer author weaves a story about a queer character. These books weren’t always the bestsellers they are today. But over time, many LGBTQ+ authors paved the way for others to tell authentic stories from their own perspectives.

Literary fiction

It’s common for readers to falsely equate literary fiction with the term literature. But literature includes any and all writing. Literary fiction, on the other hand, includes novels with a heavy emphasis on character development rather than a fast-paced plot. These books often exhibit a distinct writing style and strong social themes, such as grief, friendship and second chances. Not sure if a book qualifies as literary fiction? Look for a badge of honor; literary fiction titles are often award winners.

Magical realism

Magical realism is a book genre that infuses everyday life with fantastical elements. First popularized by Latin American authors, this style of sprinkling a little magic on top of the ordinary has taken the literary world by storm. While some book genres are defined by a single element (romance, for instance), magical realism typically includes three: a realistic setting, a touch of the supernatural (a hero with an uncanny ability to foretell the future, or a quirky aunt with telepathic powers, for instance) and a touch of poetry or literary style. If you’re just dipping your toes into this book genre, start with the works of Gabriel García Márquez, a master of the genre.

Mystery

An unexplained disappearance. Murder in the mansion. A jewel thief on the loose. Welcome to the land of mysteries! Mystery books can feature fun games of cat-and-mouse, sizzling romances between detectives or even old ladies playing the role of amateur sleuth, as is the case in some of the best cozy mysteries. Regardless of the characters or setting, any good mystery includes a crime, a detective-like protagonist and plot twists that eventually lead to a resolution. Most mysteries have witty dialogue, a few red herrings and enough clues to help the reader play an active role in guessing who committed the crime.

Romance

From epic love stories to swoonworthy beach flings, romance books tell the story of two people who are attracted to each other and must overcome some sort of obstacle to end up together. And wow, do these books sell! According to the Romance Writers of America, romance accounts for nearly a quarter of fiction books sold in the United States. Who doesn’t love a good romantic comedy or enemies-to-lovers tale full of witty banter?

Science fiction

The science fiction book genre explores concepts outside the realm of reality. What if aliens exist? What if one aspect of society—politics, technology, even socioeconomic classes—became grossly exaggerated? How would life change? From space travel and alternate realities to dystopian fiction and time travel (subgenres of sci-fi), these books transport readers to whole new worlds.

Thriller

Mysteries and thrillers often go hand in hand. But what makes the best thriller books shine are adrenaline-spiking tension, suspense and fast-paced action. Some psychological thrillers start as slow burns, but by the end, they’ll have your heart racing and palms sweating as you follow the main characters to the sometimes-bitter end.

Time travel

Time travel is a common theme in science fiction, but this subgenre overlaps with other book genres as well. The only requirement for a good time travel yarn is—you guessed it!—a primary character who traverses time in a nonlinear fashion. From Blake Crouch’s mind-bending Recursion to Casey McQuiston’s romantic comedy One Last Stop, time travel books delight readers with a plot that moves seamlessly from the future to the past.

Women’s fiction

Women’s fiction can include several book genres. This standard bookstore classification typically contains books written by female authors for women. Of course, men and nonbinary readers can undoubtedly enjoy so-called women’s fiction. Women’s fiction books frequently include domestic settings riddled with themes of friendship, love and marital strife.

Nonfiction

Want to read about real people, real events and real issues? Nonfiction books are just what you’re looking for.

Art and photography

Art and photography books usually feature an artist’s work alongside text commentary. The hefty, beautifully printed pages make excellent coffee table books—a thoughtful gift idea for book lovers. If a picture is worth a thousand words, these books are worth their weight in gold!

Autobiography

The distinction between biography and autobiography is easy: While biographies require an author to research someone’s life deeply, autobiographies are written by the subject. From politicians to famous actors, the subjects of autobiographies inspire, educate and promote empathy for an experience vastly different from your own. These firsthand glimpses of life on the road less traveled make for powerful reading.

Biographies

Both autobiographies and biographies chronicle the life of an important figure. But biographies offer a peek into the experiences of someone who might not be available to share their own story, whether because they’re long gone, not a writer or simply too busy. Of course, this means that biographies might not hold all the answers. They’re often used to theorize about a famous person’s motivations and relationships.

Cookbooks

What makes a great cookbook? Clear instructions and ingredient lists, of course. Some of the best cookbooks also feature artfully plated photos that make you drool and captivating commentary on why each dish matters. Cookbook collectors flock to tomes that offer exciting or inspirational tidbits. From the history of an ingredient to the author’s personal memories of a dish, cookbooks are more than just recipes—they’re often an introductory guide to cuisines or new cooking techniques.

Essays

Also called anthologies, essay collections indeed are a genre of their own. Essays offer writers a chance to speak their truth in prose. Sometimes, an essay describes a scene or event. Other times, it argues a point (say, about race relations in America) or tries to teach a lesson. While they may have varying lengths and forms, essays are always nonfiction.

How-to guides

One of the most practical genres of books, how-to guides offer exactly what the name implies: actionable plans and instructions for accomplishing a specific task. Some how-to guides offer general overviews of new skills (drawing, photography or sewing, for example). Others provide specialized instructions for readers who want to learn how to use a certain software program or woodworking technique. The best how-to guides include charts, graphs or other visuals to help readers learn as they go.

Humor

In the mood to laugh out loud? This is the book genre for you. While some novels incorporate humor, the humor genre includes nonfiction books written by comedians. From hilarious memoirs to sidesplitting anecdotes, top-notch humor books weave social commentary and real-life situations together with a lighthearted perspective.

Memoir

It’s easy to fret over the difference between memoirs and autobiographies. They’re both nonfiction books about the author’s life, right? Here’s an easy way to spot the difference between these book genres: Autobiographies tell the author’s whole life story in chronological order, while memoirs cover a collection of memories (often on a theme, such as travel, personal growth or growing up queer). Like autobiographies, excellent memoirs can inspire and educate readers through firsthand accounts from a new perspective.

Narrative nonfiction

The best narrative nonfiction sweeps readers into a story with a fully realized arc. In other words, the book reads more like a novel than an informational article or textbook. Most memoirs are narrative nonfiction, but not all narrative nonfiction comes in memoir form. For proof it spans genres, just look to the book that many say invented the format: Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, a true-crime story that’s gripped readers for decades. Some authors of this genre tell their own stories, while others do deep research to tell someone else’s story.

Poetry

Ah, poetry. Does it have to rhyme? Or be separated into stanzas? Not anymore, dear readers! The best poetry evokes emotions. It makes the reader slow down and reflect. This genre tends to highlight the rhythmic or lyrical quality of language, yes, but many modern poets write in free verse rather than sticking to rhymes and meters.

Religion and spirituality

Almost any bookstore has a shelf set aside for the religion and spirituality genre. But which books can you expect to find there? Religion and spirituality includes many nonfiction subgenres. You might find the best books for your zodiac sign, astrology books, new-age guides, faith-based devotionals and more. The only criterion for this genre is that the book is about religion, spirituality or faith-based practice.

Self-help

The ultimate nonfiction read, self-help books are one of the most practical book genres. Self-help books differ from how-to guides in that they’re more about personal development than mastering a specific skill. Whether you’re hoping to finesse your finances, develop a growth mindset or foster creativity, there’s a self-help book for you.

Travel

Also known as “armchair travel,” great travel books transport you outside your home. These adventurous tales often inspire future vacations through descriptions of places, people, foods and cultural customs. John Steinbeck, Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson all made a splash in this wanderlust-fueled book genre—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find new and exciting travel writers to follow. From Kate Harris’s cycling trip along the Silk Road to Susan Lewis Solomont’s time as an ambassador’s wife in Spain, there’s a travelogue waiting to whisk you away.

True crime

Like an episode of Unsolved Mysteries or 60 Minutes, true-crime books read like thrillers or murder mysteries (or the true-crime documentaries you gobble up like candy). The difference between these and your favorite James Patterson page-turner is that the crimes actually happened. Sometimes, the book ends with a satisfying resolution. Other times, the author simply presents the evidence and leading theories for readers to suss out for themselves.

Sources:

The Adi Tribal Foundation (ATF) launched the World Tribal Book on virtual mode in presence of former Director, State ST/SC Department Dr Atal Bihari Ota, Drpareen Somani from Global Speaker UK , Kalahandi University VC Dr Sanjay Satpathy , chairperson ATF Major Kalpana Das, former chairperson, Ramadevi PG Council Prof Durga Sadangi and founder Project ‘India's 1st Tribal Queen’ Dr Chidatmika Khatua.

Notably, the ATF is engaged in exploring the tribal treasures and unfolding them before the world. The mission is to empower tribal girls /women by the way of showcasing their age-old heritage and cultural traditions while retaining their originality and individual identity.

In 2018, the foundation organised India’s First Tribal Queen Adi Rani contest in association with Kalinga Gourav Awards in Bhubaneswar. It plans for a Global Tribal Conclave in New Delhi in January.

In the launching ceremony, tribal ambassadors around country participated and gave their views. The entire programme was coordinated by Goutam Mohanty.

© RD.com, Courtesy National Book Foundation (5), Getty Images

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-nominated producer, food expert and television host Padma Lakshmi hosted the 73rd Annual National Book Awards. The prestigious awards ceremony, which is put on by the National Book Foundation, is designed to recognize and celebrate the best literature in America. Awards were given to the best books in fiction, best nonfiction books, best poetry books, translated literature and young people's literature.

The process of selecting National Book Award winners is a lengthy one. A panel of judges comprised of 25 distinguished writers, translators, critics, librarians and booksellers selects a Longlist of 10 titles per category. That Longlist is then narrowed down to five finalists, from which one winner is chosen for each category. Each finalist receives a $1,000 prize while winners receive $10,000 and a bronze sculpture.

All in all, being selected for these prestigious awards is no easy feat, and we congratulate all of this year's winners!

Fiction

The finalists for this year's National Book Award in fiction included:

• The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones
• The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories by Jamil Jan Kochai
• All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews
• The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
• The Town of Babylon by Alejandro Varela

Winner: Though we can't imagine having to choose between these extraordinarily talented contemporary writers, the award was given to The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty.

Nonfiction

This year, the National Book Awards' nonfiction finalists were:

• The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
• The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourke
• Breathless: The Scientific Race to Defeat a Deadly Virus by David Quammen
• His Names is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa
• South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry

Winner: The award ultimately went to South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry.

Poetry

This year's poetry finalists were:

• Look at This Blue by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke
• Balladz by Sharon Olds
• Punks: New & Selected Poems by John Keene
• Best Barbarian by Rover Reeves
• The Rupture Tense by Jenny Xie

Winner: The winner in this category was Punks: New & Selected Poems by John Keene.

Translated Literature

This category includes books that have been translated from other languages. Finalists in this category were:

• A New Game: Septology VI-VII by Jan Fosse, translated from Norwegian by Damion Searls,
• Kibogo by Scholastique Mukasonga, translated from French by Mark Polizzotti
• Jawbone by Monica Ojeda, translated from Spanish by Sarah Booker
• Scattered All Over the Earth by Yoko Tawada, translated from Japanese by Margaret Mitsutani.
• The winner was Seven Empty Houses by Samantha Schweblin, translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell

Winner: The winner was Seven Empty Houses by Samantha Schweblin, translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell.

Young People's Literature

The finalists in this category were:

• The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
• The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
• Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist For Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes and Dawud Anyabwile
• Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
• All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Winner: The winner in this category was All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir.

The post The National Book Foundation Announces 2022 National Book Award Winners appeared first on Reader's Digest.