Write a review on any book from the Exclusive Books Recommends March selection on exclusivebooks.co.za and stand a chance to win a R2000 voucher. All book reviews welcome, but reviews on the March EBR titles stand a chance of winning the voucher.
This month’s selection on Exclusive Books Recommends features some fine examples of genre fiction.
Pairing a person with the right book can be a tricky business. This is where genre fiction comes in useful. These are books that use familiar elements, tropes, storylines or characters that help the reader immediately identify what kind of book they are looking at. So, a book filled with technology, science and future worlds is probably in the science fiction genre, or a typical romance title might feature a memorable meet-up, second chances and friends to lovers.
Stories made to order? This genre writing approach may seem formulaic, but because it features likely themes, characters and endings, genre fiction is easier to define, categorise, shelve and therefore, sell. Readers already know what they’re getting into and are also more willing to try out an unknown author of a genre they already enjoy. Publishers know how and who to market to, giving a frame of reference to short-circuit the decision-making process of trying a new author and series.
Either way, genre-publishing offers different flavours that speak to the power of a story to transport the reader to different places, times, relationships.
Cosy mysteries are a popular category here. These very rarely focus on harsh realities, profanity or violence. The murders take place off stage, and are often relatively bloodless (e.g. poisoning), while sexual activity (if any) between characters is only ever gently implied and never directly addressed. For lovers of cosy crime ala Richard Oseman’s hugely popular Thursday Murder Club series, try The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder, by CL Millar. In this irresistible and thrilling debut novel, a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts.
Why are humans drawn to the horror genre? From books to film, we can’t seem to get enough of what scares us most. Womb City, by Tlotlo Tsamaase, imagines a dark and deadly future Botswana, rich with culture and true folklore, which begs the question: how far must one go to destroy the structures of inequality upon which a society was founded? How far must a mother go to save the life of her child?
If reading at-the-edge-of-your-seat is your cup of tea, thrillers are the genre to try. The Hidden, by Fiona Snyckers, is the fast paced and gripping tale of a vicious attack, the FBI, hidden perpetrators and a so-called ordinary family. Snyckers will have you hooked till the last page.
Horror, Romance, fantasy, cozy crime, horror and even self-help, with genre writing and publishing, you are spoilt for choice. Still, you are assured that your choice will be a good one, offering a satisfying story with a flavour and packaging that you know works for you.
See Exclusive Books Recommends – both instore and online – for books in all these genres and
more.
Ways to order books from Exclusive Books include phone in, uber eats, instore of course and online via the website www.exclusivebooks.co.za and delivery to your doorstep in 36 hours. (free delivery for order R450 and up). Exclusive Books is one of South Africa’s largest bookselling chains with stores throughout South Africa, and one store in
Gaborone, Botswana and in Namibia.
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