Give this a read
Have you read any "coastal cowgirl" this year? Or perhaps found a "romantasy" obsession? Maybe you plunged into chapters of "dark academia" or "reimagined classics"?
Your grandparent's bookshelf is no more: Today's books fit into distinct genres like romance or comedy increasingly rarely. The lines on the pages have blurred, with themes from across literature forging new kinds of fantasies and fiction that attract book lovers and occasional readers alike.
👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we introduce Paste BN's new Books reporter Clare Mulroy and her editor Jennifer McClellan, who chat about all things books, steamy reads and genre-bending.
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Something steamy for everyone to read
McClellan wanted to know why 2024 was the year of "romantasy." The genre of romance-meets-fantasy dominated library holds and bookstore sales, with series like Rebecca Yarros' "Fourth Wing" and Sarah J. Maas' "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series heating the charts and the cheeks of readers. These aren't the smoochy "Fabio" novels your aunt used to read at the swimming pool (although we can still hold space for these). These are complex, character-driven books that take the structure of romance to the next level with otherworldly plots and, yes, passion.
"It was such a big trend," McClellan said. "But I was pleasantly surprised with these books. I was trepidatious, but I've been converted into a fan."
And becoming a romantasy fan isn't a casual endeavor, she said. These books tend to be long with heaps of characters and intersecting timelines. For most readers, that may sound like too much work (make space in your bag for these massive books). But the writing style of smutty meets substantial has turned even occasional readers into crazed bookworms, she said. Along with Yarros' and Maas' series, McClellan enjoyed Jennifer L. Armentrout's “From Blood and Ash,” Lexi Ryan's “These Hollow Vows," Rebecca Ross' “Divine Rivals” and Danielle L. Jensen's “A Fate Inked in Blood.”
"Romantasy has strong female leads," McClellan said. "Something like 'Game of Thrones' has similar fantasy themes, but romantasy is typically written by women for women, giving them an arc they don't get in typical fantasy novels."
This female-lead quality is why the genre has been so explosive and addictive, she said. These characters embrace who they are completely.
"It's not black and white, good versus bad. There are shades of gray," McClellan said.
Mulroy, Paste BN's new books reporter, devours contemporary fiction and puts Sally Rooney, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Raven Leilani among her favorite authors. Mulroy is deep into BookTok (TikTokers who post about writing and reading) and aims to connect this community to Paste BN's coverage of the reading world. On social media, she finds that modern reading contains a multitude of subgenres.
"I've noticed on BookTok how niche people get, such as 'cozy fantasy' or 'cozy mystery.' These are more low stakes, loveable versions of their parent genres, so to speak," Mulroy said. "People aren't content with one overarching genre anymore."
Mulroy's advice for reading in 2025 is to be "really choosy" and don't worry about a DNF (do not finish): "It's really easy to fall into a reading slump. Reading should just be about enjoyment and fun and learning. There's no reason to feel guilty!"
- Mulroy's favorite book of 2024: "Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar. "I read it over the summer and just haven't had a subway-crying-while-reading experience in so long. I just sobbed on the train while finishing it. The character is so lovable and dysfunctional."
- McClellan's favorite book of 2024: "Funny Story" by Emily Henry. "Henry has a way of connecting you to the characters in a way that you really believe them. The dialogue was great even though it was a far-fetched storyline. I could not get enough. I wish I could read it for the first time again."
To give a book or not to give a book?
Surprisingly, both of Paste BN's book experts advise not to give books for the holidays unless you know exactly which title to get off the recipient's to-be-read list. While this may sound a bit strange, they say the margin of error is just too great. Instead, gift book accessories to the book lovers in your life, such as a reading light, a perfect bean bag chair, or a gift card to an independent book store, ebook platform, or audiobook.
Paste BN ranks the best books for you
Did you know Paste BN publishes a weekly book list? This ranking of best-selling titles across genres is developed using sales data from booksellers representing a variety of outlets: bookstore chains, independent bookstores, mass merchandisers and online retailers.
"We are the people's book list," said McClellan. "The bestselling list reflects what real people are reading. It's based on the real consumption of books. We put the reader at the center. We're not esoteric. We celebrate books in all their forms."
Read more book coverage from Paste BN:
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Paste BN's recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre.
- What does it mean to "DNF" a book or get an "ARC"?
- Here are 15 presents to give this holiday that aren't books.
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Here are short books under 200 pages to read this month.
- There's a right way to read "A Court of Thorns and Roses."
Thank you
Can't wait to curl up this holiday season with a cozy book! Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you.
Best wishes,
Nicole Fallert