Types of Books

Fiction denotes books mainly not based on facts, but describing people, events, etc. imagined by the author. In practice this means novels and stories; poetry and drama are not usu. included.

Non-fiction denotes books based on factual material, e.g. biographies, travel books, books on science, the arts, history, etc.

Both words are uncountable; they are used mainly by writers, publishers, literary critics and librarians, and occasionally in everyday conversation.

e.g. After writing several works of literary criticism, he turned to fiction. I've started reading more non-fiction lately. A work of fiction/non-fiction.

Novel, (short) story (a shorter literary work than a novel)

modern novel

psychological novel

historical novel

war novel

adventure novel/story, or a novel of adventure - one describing adventures, exciting events. In practice, it often denotes a book which is enjoyable but of limited literary merit.

detective novel/story - one about crime (usu. murder) and its detection, or investigation. Syn.: a crime story, a whodunit.

thriller, n a book, play, or film that tells a very exciting story, esp. of crime; it describes thrilling events, usu. connected with crime, esp. murder, and is a wider term than a detective story/novel. Syn.: a suspense novel.

love story may bе used of serious novels in which the main theme is love.

romance, n story/novel of adventure; love story.

Tale is a synonym of story in its most general sense,

e.g. It's a tale of courage and endurance (about a novel/story).

Tale alone is too general to denote a particular type of literary work and is used in word combinations, such as fairy tale, folk tale

Science fiction (often abbreviated to SF by publishers and li­terary critics, and to sci-fi in informal speech) - stories about imaginary developments in science and their effect on life.

e.g. I like science fiction. It is science fiction/a science fiction novel. He is a science fiction writer.

Cf.: fantasy - a story about fantastic events and crea­tures, such as dragons, elves, witches, etc.

Memoirs a person's written account of his own life and experiences.

e.g. war memoirs.

Fable a fictitious story, usu. handed down by tradition (although some fables are modern), often with animals as speakers or actors.

e.g. a fable about industrious bees.

Biography, autobiography always denotes a book about someone's life and not the events themselves, not a person's life. The latter is one's/sb's life or life-story.

e.g. He told us the life-story/about the life of his father. I read the life-story/about the life of the actor in a newspaper article. She has a fascinating life-story.

Diary a daily record of events, appointments, etc.

Essay a literary composition, usu. in prose and short, on any one subject.

Classic a book or writer of the highest value, of recognized and unquestioned merit, esp. a great writer of the past.

e.g. a modern classic. Vanity Fair by Thackeray is a classic. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a modern classic. I enjoy reading the classics: Thackeray, Jane Austin, Th. Hardy. English/Russian/French/20^th century classics.

Cf.: the classics (pl) - 1. ancient Greek and Latin writers and literature collectively.

e.g. In the 19th century, all educated people were brought up on the classics.

2. the former as a subject of study (at secondary schools or universities).

e.g. He studied/read classics at Oxford.

Classical of or relating to ancient Greek and Latin literature and art

e.g. a classical education, classical writers (as Homer). His books contain many classical allusions/quotations. Some of Shakespeare's plays are on classical subjects, for ex. " Julius Caesar", " Antony and Cleopatra".

Classic/classical simple, harmonious, restrained.

e.g. the classical simplicity of his style.

Best-seller a book that is sold in very large numbers.

Periodical any serious publication that comes out at regular intervals. A university library often has a periodicals room, where one can find newspapers, journals, proceedings of learned societies, etc.

Magazine a weekly or monthly periodical with articles, pictures, etc.; it is generally for entertainment and recreation.

women's magazine contains articles on housekeeping, fashion, family life, letters, short stories, etc.

fashion magazine

children's magazine contains articles and stories for children. If it consists mainly of strip cartoons it is called a comic.

school magazine is produced by a school, with articles, stories, poems, etc. by pupils.

There are also magazines for various hobbies, e.g. the Amateur Photographer.

Journal is more serious, either academic or professional; a periodical dealing with current events or learned topics.

e.g. She has had several articles published in international journals.