The world of genres keeps evolving, and 2026 is no different. Reader preferences are shifting rapidly due to BookTok trends, global cultural changes, and the rise of digital reading. In this complete guide, we explore the most popular genres readers are buying in 2026, along with emerging trends authors and publishers need to know.

If you’re a writer, publisher, or passionate reader, this is your essential guide to understanding the top genres of books dominating the market.

 Why book genre trends matter in 2026

In an era shaped by Instagram trends, TikTok reels, and book bloggers, understanding what’s trending has become more important than ever. Some of the  key reasons why writers should stay aware of emerging genre trends are mentioned here:

Stronger Reader Appeal: Aligning your work while keeping the trends in mind helps you meet your reader expectations Your story naturally reflects the tone, pacing, and themes readers currently love, it makes your story more  engaging and relatable.

More Marketable Manuscripts: Understanding trends helps you refine and position your book effectively, making it easier to pitch, promote, and sell.

Competitive Advantage: Staying updated on shifting reader preferences allows you to understand  changes and stay ahead of the curve, not behind it.

Greater Industry Visibility: Booksellers, online platforms, and publishers prioritize trending genres, increasing your book’s chances of standing out in a crowded market. 

Early Identification of Emerging Talent: Staying updated on shifting reader preferences allows you to understand  changes and stay ahead of the curve. It helps you notice fresh voices and innovative storytelling early, allowing you to recognize transformative talent before it peaks.

Curious about what’s trending on Mera Qissa?  Click on Mera Qissa bookstore to explore.

How reader preferences have evolved 

Shift Toward High-Stakes, Emotion-based  Narratives

As the time changed , readers moved away from fairy-tale style stories and predictable romance plots. Now, they prefer simpler worldbuilding with fast-paced, emotional, and high-stakes storylines.Themes of trauma, oppression, resilience, and rebellion have become more popular as readers increasingly shift towards stories that mirror real social struggles.

Rising Demand for Representation & Diverse Voices

Readers now incline toward books that offer varied representation and culturally diverse perspectives. Stories that show the complexity of the modern world, different identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences, are more appealing than ever, especially as BookTok and online fandoms are boosting inclusive beliefs.

Increased interest towards mixed genre storylines 

The line between genres has become increasingly fluid. Cross-genre and hybrid storytelling, mixing romance with fantasy, dystopian with mystery, or sci-fi with mythology, has grown in popularity. This blending creates fresh, innovative narratives that are attracting readers,as they provide a more immersive reading experience.

Preference for Escapism & Relatable Parallel Realities

As daily life becomes more stressful and fast-paced, readers turn to fiction that allows them to escape, unwind, and disconnect. Genres offering parallel realities or emotional relief, fantasy stories that divert their attention from the real world momentarily, have gained popularity. Meanwhile, interest in slower, more traditional genres like historical nonfiction has declined due to digital reading habits and shortened attention spans.

Now, let me take you through the most popular genres that are winning the hearts of readers around the world. 

Most Popular Genres of Fiction 

Below are the types of fiction genres dominating online marketplaces and reader communities worldwide.

Romance: Best Seller Worldwide 

The romance genre isn’t just popular, it’s a global powerhouse, consistently generating over a billion dollars a year and commanding nearly 18% of the adult fiction market. But its dominance goes far beyond numbers. 

Romance attracts readers because it taps into what researchers call “positively valenced anticipation” the irresistible thrill that something wonderful is about to happen. Unlike mysteries that fuel curiosity or thrillers that spark fear, romance activates our emotional and psychological responses all at once. 

It offers comfort, excitement, escape and hope in a single narrative. This combination of emotional reward and immersive storytelling is why romance continues to rise, shape trends, and stay deeply relevant to readers around the world.

Popular Subgenres of Romance:

Contemporary Romance

Contemporary romance remains popular as readers love realistic, relatable love stories that show modern relationships and everyday emotions. Its timeless themes and feel-good storytelling ensure it will stay a top-selling genre in 2026.

Romantasy (Fantasy Romance)

Romantasy is among the dominating subgenres because it blends escapism, magic, and delightful romance, a perfect combination of adventure and emotional intensity that readers love. Its strong presence on BookTok and fandom culture guarantees its popularity well into 2026.

Romantic Suspense

Romantic suspense attracts readers who enjoy the mix of passion, danger, and fast-paced mystery in one gripping narrative. Its addictive combination of thriller-style tension with emotional romance ensures steady demand in the next coming years as well. 

For authors beginning their career in romance fiction or planning their next book in this genre, the future looks incredibly promising. Romance offers higher visibility, stronger market demand, and better ranking potential compared to most other genres.

Fantasy 

From J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter to Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing, fantasy fiction is one of those genres that never stop trending and never go out of style.
What makes this genre truly evergreen is its ability to blend emotionally resonant themes like pain, sacrifice, and suffering with imaginative, otherworldly settings. These stories feel both unreal and deeply relatable at the same time. And the best part? The magical, hopeful endings that readers of all ages secretly wish for in their own lives.

Fantasy gives people a sense of hope and faith in goodness, which is why the genre consistently attracts an incredibly loyal audience. These readers don’t just read the stories, they live in them, cherish them, and carry them into their everyday lives. The result? Trends, viral moments, and the kind of BookTok buzz that keeps fantasy at the top of every bestseller list.

Fantasy includes a rich and ever-growing list of subgenres, many of which play a major role in the genre’s unstoppable popularity. 

Popular Subgeneres of Fantasy 

 High & Epic Fantasy

High and epic fantasy will always have a loyal fanbase because readers love getting lost into huge magical worlds filled with heroes, quests, and jaw-dropping worldbuilding. As long as people crave that “take me somewhere else completely” feeling, this subgenre will stay at the top.

Low Fantasy

Low fantasy appeals to a huge fanbase that loves realism mixed with just a touch of the magical excitements . It brings extraordinary moments into everyday life, making the familiar feel exciting again. This subtle combination of reality and the unexpected is something that never goes out of trend.

Urban Fantasy

Urban fantasy has a huge part in the popularity of the fantasy genre and also has a bright future ahead.  It is rapidly evolving, getting more diverse, and more in touch with the world we’re living in. With its mix of real-life city vibes and just the right amount of magic, this genre is getting more popular every passing day and  readers are falling more in love with it.

Dark Fantasy

Dark fantasy sticks with people because it isn’t afraid to explore the messy, complicated, and darker sides of being human. The future of dark fantasy looks incredibly powerful, with readers accepting more morally gray characters, deeper folklore, and combinations of  horror and romantasy. 

Eternal Hunt, and The Trials of Chaukhandi  are among the best selling fantasy books on Mera Qissa, you can read for free!

Mystery

Mystery novels have always held a special place in readers’ hearts. From complex “whodunits” to psychological puzzles, these stories have consistently kept readers hooked from start to finish. What keeps this genre thriving is its timeless appeal: humans love to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and step into the shoes of clever detectives on a trail of clues.

Thanks to digital platforms, mystery is becoming even more exciting, as authors can now experiment and connect with their audiences in ways that were impossible before. The future looks bright for mystery fiction, with readers eager for stories that challenge their minds while delivering an adrenaline rush. Its lasting  appeal lies in that perfect mix of intellectual thrill and suspense.

Popular subgenres:

Cozy Mystery

Cozy mysteries are among the liked subgenres because readers love small-town charm, quirky characters, and interesting puzzles, without any of the gory stuff. Their light, suspense filled stories make them popular among readers.

Detective/Police Procedural

Detective stories stay popular because readers find it satisfying to follow the investigation, piece together the clues, and see justice served. With readers always hungry for clever twists and logical mysteries, this subgenre isn’t going anywhere.

Psychological Thriller Mystery

Psychological thrillers hook readers by playing with the mind and  keep them guessing until the very last page. As long as people love tension and  unexpected twists, these stories will stay among the most popular genres. 

Many trending Mystery titles are currently featured on the Mera Qissa platform, for aspiring mystery writers and mystery lovers

THRILLER 

Thriller fiction has a way of keeping readers completely immersed in the story,  whether you’re a fan of The Da Vinci Code or loved the twists in The Silent Patient, there’s something about high-stakes tension, intense plots, and relentless suspense that just hooks its readers. 

What makes thrillers so addictive is their mix of action, danger, and unexpected twists that keep you guessing right until the last page. From psychological thrillers to crime thrillers, these stories give readers that rush of adrenaline they can’t get enough of. 

Looking ahead, thrillers are evolving with more complex characters, morally gray choices, and socially relevant themes.  

Popular sub genres

Psychological Thriller

Psychological thrillers are a hit because readers love being inside a character’s mind, unraveling motives, and piecing together twists. With audiences craving deeper emotional complexity and unexpected turns, this subgenre will keep growing in popularity.

Crime Thriller

Crime thrillers hook readers with intense  investigations, and clever twists. As interest in morally gray characters and realistic law-and-order scenarios rises, this subgenre is set to stay strong.

Action/Adventure Thriller

Action-packed thrillers grab attention with unstoppable momentum, and dangerous missions. As readers continue craving excitement and cinematic storytelling, this subgenre will remain a staple in the market.

Thriller and horror fans are highly engaged and often recommend books to friends or online communities. If you are an author, you can feature your  titles on Mera Qissa and link them to similar works of this platform. It can help new readers discover your stories.

Horror – A major comeback 

Horror fiction has grown beyond its niche roots to become a mainstream genre again .

Whether it’s a chilling ghost story, a thriller, or a spine-tingling horror, readers are loving the storylines wholeheartedly. This growing engagement among horror fans is increasing the genre’s popularity.

But why is horror fiction popular? 

Here are some key factors: 

Horror novels Give the high surge of emotion: 

Horror lets readers experience fear, tension, and excitement without real danger, it leads to a sense of accomplishment and gives them a euphoric, high-energy feeling from overcoming simulated threats. This dopamine hit from scary-but-safe storytelling is one of the biggest reasons horror keeps pulling readers back in.

Diverse & Inclusive themes: 

Modern horror isn’t just about vampires and slashers anymore. With subgenres like cozy horror, spore horror, psychological horror, and body horror, the genre now welcomes younger readers, women, and culturally rich storytelling , making it more popular than ever.

Streaming Platforms & Social Media 

Hit shows and movies from platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video have brought horror into the mainstream again. And The BookTok community has its own huge impact on horror books going viral, selling out, and reaching global audiences like never before.

Horror Depicts Real-World Anxiety 

As the world faces wars, pandemics, and climate fears, horror has become a mirror to those anxieties. Readers turn to the genre because it helps them process real-world chaos through fictional monsters,  which is why it’s suddenly back at the top of the charts.

Popular subgenres:

Psychological 

Consistent favorite subgenre among various generations from baby boomer to Gen Z. 

Examples: 
–> How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix 
–> Misery by Stephen King

Paranormal 

Most popular among Gen z and millennials 

Examples: 
–> A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
–> Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

Gothic horror

It has a wide reader base, with women accounting for a significant percentage of Gothic fiction fans.

Examples:  

–> Dracula by Bram Stoker
–> Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Slasher horror

Slasher horror is more popular among young adults. 

Examples: 

–> Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
–> Final Girls by Riley Sager 

Science Fiction

Science fiction is one of the most vibrant fiction genres of the 21st century. From Frank Herbert’s Dune to Micaiah Johnson’s The Space Between Worlds, readers are actively showing increasing interest in this genre and its popularity continues to rise as we move toward a more technology-driven world.

So, what makes science fiction such a popular genre? 

These are the most significant factors: 

The impact of technology 

People naturally love imagining what the future might look like, and that curiosity only grows as real-world technology continues to advance. As humans begin to trust in the possibilities of what the future could bring, their interest in futuristic and tech-driven stories increases too.. What once felt “too technical” or dull is now exciting, relatable, and full of possibilities . This shift in mindset has opened the genre to a much wider audience. 

The Source of Smart Entertainment

Sci-fi hits that sweet spot between intellectual exploration and immersive entertainment that has cemented this genre as a mainstay on bestseller lists and in the hearts of readers everywhere. The constant “what if” that pushes readers to imagine worlds beyond their current reality is the core attraction that keeps the genre thriving.

Expansion Into Hard and Soft Sciences

As the genre evolves, covering “hard sciences” like AI, time travel, and space exploration, alongside “soft sciences” such as sociology and ecology, it continues to attract a diverse and growing audience. This wide thematic range allows sci-fi to explore the future of humanity in ways that appeal to an incredibly broad population.

Popular subgenres

Cyberpunk

Most popular among Gen Z, Millennials. Those growing up with pervasive tech like smart devices.

Space Opera

Popular among all ages, especially those drawn to grand adventure.

Dystopian Fiction 

Teens and Gen Z are heavily into it , but it resonates across ages.

Hard Science Fiction

Older adults (35+) are more likely to rate it highly than teens.

Soft Science Fiction

Wide and diverse readership worldwide.

Young Adult (YA)

YA has grown exponentially over the past decade. In fact, some studies claim that the most in-demand fiction genre for 2025 is Young Adult (YA). With its highly engaged and loyal fan base often forming strong connections with both books and authors, it may even become the fastest-growing fiction category in the coming years as well. 

And what makes Young Adult so popular among readers?

Its highly relatable themes, broad appeal across diverse audiences, and consistent media adaptations all contribute to its success.

Let’s take a closer look at these aspects in detail.

 Relatable Themes 

YA novels explore complex topics like identity, mental health, social justice, family dynamics, and friendship in a way that feels relatable to readers of all ages. It makes the stories both entertaining and meaningful.

Genre-Blending

YA fiction isn’t confined to a single genre, authors effortlessly mix fantasy, romance, mystery, dystopian elements, and more. This creative flexibility keeps the genre fresh, exciting, and invites a diverse readership.

Breakout Success & Adaptations

YA novels frequently become bestselling hits and often land film and web series adaptations, which increases their popularity even further. Audiences who love seeing their favorite characters on-screen often turn to the books to experience the story more deeply.

 Wide Crossover Potential

YA’s crossover appeal allows it to attract both teen and adult readers. The themes, characters, and emotional arcs are designed to resonate across a broad age range. Many young adult books and even their TV adaptations, are most popular among adult readers. This wide range of readership gives the genre the global recognition it enjoys today.

Popular subgenres:

• Contemporary YA (Realistic fiction & romantic fiction) 
• YA Fantasy / Adventure: 
• YA Dystopian
• Mystery/Thriller 

Children’s Fiction

As adult reading continues to shift toward short-form content on websites and social media, the literary world is leaning even more toward one of its most loyal and enduring audiences: children. Children’s book demand remains strong globally and consistently holds its place among the most popular genres.

So, what keeps children’s fiction at the top of the list?

Let’s take a look.

It Helps with Learning & Development

Children’s fiction isn’t just entertaining; it plays a key role in early education by developing language skills, imagination, and critical thinking. Parents and educators often choose books that help them teach important lessons in the most effective way, and children’s books serve as a strong support system in this process.

As a result, parents and guardians show consistent interest in children’s fiction, and this steady demand ensures the genre’s long-term popularity.

The Genre Keeps Evolving with Trends

Today’s children’s books include diverse and inclusive stories, environmental themes, interactive elements, and even augmented reality or multimedia experiences that make reading more engaging than ever. This innovation helps the genre stay fresh and exciting for young readers and their families. 

Strong & Loyal Readership 

Children typically read more books than adults, and these books remain massively popular in both print and ebook formats. No one gets immersed or obsessed with a story quite like young readers do. For them, getting lost in an imaginary world is pure fun. Anything that sparks a child’s sense of adventure and creativity is something they will eagerly read. And if a story truly captivates its audience? Kids become the most dedicated readers in the world!

Popular genres among different age ranges 

Picture Books (3-8y) 

• Simple Fables 
• Folk Tales 
• Early Fantasy

Early Readers/Chapter Books (Ages 5-9):

• Mystery
• Fantasy 
• Graphic Novels

Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)

• Fantasy 
•  Adventure,
•  Realistic Fiction
• Mystery

Sania’s Shyness and Shahmeer’s Kindness are the most trending children’s fiction books on Mera Qissa. 

Most Popular Genres of Non fiction 

SELF HELP

There is a reason why James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” and Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” continue to top the charts, even after several years (and decades, in the case of the latter). People are actively searching for books and content related to this genre.

Millions of posts with self-help or personal development hashtags appear online, and TikTok alone has billions of views on self-help content. These figures provide strong evidence of the enduring trend and widespread appeal of the self-help genre. 

Here are some key factors behind its global popularity:

Guidance for Personal Growth

Many readers turn to self-help books because they offer actionable advice for improving life, from mental health and relationships to career success and wellbeing,  making the genre highly relevant and widely useful. 

 Accessibility Through Modern Formats & Communities

The content of this genre is not only available in the form of ebooks, but also as widely accessible audiobooks, and it reaches audiences across multiple social media platforms through apps, podcasts, and online communities. 

In addition, the rise of self-help content on Instagram and TikTok reels has exponentially boosted the genre’s popularity.

Evolving with Cultural & Global Trends

The genre has expanded to address modern concerns such as trauma healing, productivity, identity, and emotional wellbeing. Its global reach across age groups and regions suggests its lasting relevance, as people continue to seek personal growth and understanding.

Popular subgenres:

• Personal Growth & Mindset
• Productivity & Success
• Mental Wellness
• Spirituality/Mindfulness

Mera Qissa’s self-help section features a curated list of inspiring books on self-development and positive mindset.

Memoirs, Biographies & Autobiographies 

These genres are among the highest-selling non fiction genres, dominating the best seller charts for decades with billions of copies sold globally each year. 

Compared to other genres, memoirs consistently stand out as the most popular, with a larger audience and more diverse reach.

So, what makes these genres so popular? Authenticity & Diversity.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors. 

Real, Authentic Stories

Unlike fiction, biographies and memoirs give an unfiltered view of someone’s journey, which helps readers connect with them on a personal level. Real experiences are bought and read more widely by mature audiences who prefer authenticity over fantasy. 

Diverse Voices Bring Fresh Perspectives

These genres represent a wide range of diverse voices, including underestimated individuals, underrepresented communities, and different cultures. This broad, authentic, and deeply varied collection of real stories attracts a large and equally diverse audience.

“From Partition to Pioneer” is a highly inspiring autobiography of Pakistan’s neurosurgery pioneer Dr. Bashir Ahmed, published on Mera Qissa.  

Most popular Genres in Audiobook Format

With the rise of audiobooks, the way people consume books has expanded, positively influencing the previously declining interest in reading. Audiobooks have made stories more accessible and convenient, bringing many readers back to books in a new format.

Audiobooks have their own favorites, certain genres clearly win over listeners. Here are the genres readers love hearing the most in audio form.

• Fantasy
• Science fiction 
• Mystery
• Thriller
• Romance 
• Historical Fiction
• Self help
• Biographies/ memoirs/ autobiography

Most popular genres in Pakistan 

Romance & Family Saga Fiction

Romance mixed with the themes of spirituality and emotionally fueled family sagas remain the most widely read fiction genres in Pakistan. 

Novels about relationships, love, heartbreak, and family dynamics are often adapted into popular TV dramas with huge viewership in Pakistan. These media adaptations encourage viewers to engage with the original novels and, in turn, fuel the reader base of these genres.

Historic Fiction

Stories set around the Partition of India and early Pakistan continue to be popular. These novels highly relate with readers through their emotional and cultural narratives.

Poetry

Urdu poetry, especially ghazals and nazms, has long been an inherent part of Pakistan’s literary culture. Although interest towards poetry has declined among younger generations due to growing consumption of global fiction and digital content, poetry still holds a strong cultural and artistic legacy in Pakistan. 

It continues to attract dedicated readers, especially lovers of Urdu literature, students, and communities on social media.

Through the voices of talented young poets, Daastan is breathing new life into poetry: that is the heart of our literary culture.

Explore the Mera Qissa Poetry section for a complete list of such compelling poetry books.

Islamic History / Islamic Literature

While entertainment fiction dominates casual reading, Islamic literature excels in non-fiction sales and cultural relevance, often outpacing other non-fiction categories.. It has a broad and diverse reader base, and books related to this genre are regarded as spiritual guides and cultural cornerstones in Pakistan.

Personal Development & Self-Help

Young readers and professionals in Pakistan are turning to this genre for practical guidance, motivation, and emotional support. Rising global trends also influence Pakistan’s local readership, as youngsters are showing increasing engagement with this genre.

Technology & Innovation 

Interest in books about artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and technological innovations is increasing rapidly in Pakistan. As people become more curious about how technology will shape careers and everyday life.

Experts predict that books on AI will remain widely read as Pakistan moves toward a more tech-driven future.

Business & Personal Finance – A Rising Genre in Pakistan

Financial literacy titles are steadily rising, especially among professionals and young adults. Blogs and recommendations frequently list key titles like Rich Dad Poor Dad and other financial guides as “must-read” books for anyone seeking financial freedom and smart money habits. 

The impact of fintech companies and government initiatives actively promotes financial education and awareness among Pakistanis that  has naturally increased interest in reading books related to this genre.

Conclusion

Global market trends clearly show that romance continues to dominate the fiction landscape and is expected to remain the most popular genre in 2026, closely followed by mystery and fantasy. Readers are drawn to emotional storytelling, immersive worlds, and compelling characters that these genres consistently deliver.

In the non-fiction space, self-help is rapidly gaining momentum, largely fueled by social media and Gen Z’s growing focus on self-love, mental wellbeing

Looking closer at Pakistan’s reading trends, romance fiction, especially stories that blend religious themes or family sagas, remains a hot favorite, reflecting the rising popularity of Pakistan’s drama industry. 

On the non‑fiction side, though Islamic literature is going to hold a central place in readers’ hearts, personal‑finance and technology titles are steadily expanding their roots and popularity.

Together, these trends highlight how reading preferences are evolving, shaped by culture, media, and generational shifts, while staying strongly connected to long-held traditions.

For aspiring authors still figuring out the right genre for their next book, Daastan is always there to offer inspiration, support, and expert guidance.