Stuck in a reading rut? Want to expand your reading horizons in 2026? You’re in luck! Every month this year, we will be delving deep into popular genres at the library. If you’re already a fan, find readalike suggestions for popular authors and ideas for similar genres to explore. If you’re brand new to the genre in question, you will find a helpful explanation of the hallmarks of the genre, a breakdown of its most common subgenres, and explanations of what readers find so appealing about the most popular authors writing those types of books. Let’s explore fantasy for March!
Fantasy does not wrack up quite the number of checkouts that suspense and romance do, but our fantasy readers are loyal and ever-interested in new releases in the genre. The rise of genres like romantasy have brought even more readers into the fantasy fold. I have also done several fantasy reader’s advisory readalike lists over the years. That’s the service we offer that provides tailor-made suggestions for people based on their own personal reading history and preferences.
In our fantasy booklet, we cover 4 fantasy genres: epic/high fantasy, mythical fantasy, urban fantasy, and cozy fantasy.
Whether you’re a complete newbie to fantasy or a veteran fantasy reader, there should be something new for you in the booklet.
We also have a lot of cool fantasy handouts and recommendation lists already uploaded on our Readers’ And Viewers’ Advisory Resources page on the right-hand sidebar.
You can find recommendation lists there specifically for traditional epic/high fantasy, romantasy, cozy fantasy, YA and children’s fantasy (which are not included in this, though this is where Harry Potter lives), and urban fantasy and more.
If you are still not finding anything new and appealing to read (or you are not interested in fantasy), use our Google Form or contact the library in person or by phone or email to request a reader’s advisory consultation. I will write you a personalized list of suggested authors and titles based on your reading preferences.
Don’t forget to also check out our romance booklet from last month for paranormal romance and romantasy suggestions.
Happy reading!
What’s your favorite genre? What new-to-you genre are you exploring in 2026? Who’s your favorite fantasy writer? Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of our items or to place them on hold.
The following resources have been especially helpful in preparing this booklet and post:
NoveListPlus. Ebsco.
Joyce G. Saricks. Reader’s Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. ALA: Chicago and London, 2001.
Joyce G. Saricks. Reader’s Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. 2nd edition. ALA: Chicago, 2009.
Syndetics Unbound library catalog enrichment service.
Berryville Book Buzz 