Genre
Syllabus
Consider this your required reading.
Smart, approachable guides to the genres and subgenres you love, the ones you’re curious about, and the ones you keep seeing on BookTok but are slightly afraid to Google.
We break down what defines each genre, the tropes you’ll encounter, the terminology worth knowing, and the books we think are actually worth starting with.
No gatekeeping. No assigned reading you’ll be quizzed on later. Just a better way to figure out what you want to read next.
Browse the syllabi ↓
HOW IT WORKS
You do not technically have to take the classes in order. We’re not accredited.
But if you want a roadmap, here’s how we organize things.
101
BEGINNER GUIDE
The fundamentals: what defines the genre, common terminology, major tropes, and everything you need to know before diving in.
102
WHERE TO START
The books we’d recommend to someone trying the genre for the first time, without dropping you directly into the deep end.
103
DEEP DIVE
Subgenres, specific tropes, terminology, reading lists, debates, and increasingly niche things we have apparently developed opinions about.
104
ADVANCED READING
Hidden gems, deeper cuts, genre history, niche recommendations, and the books for people who no longer need us to explain the vocabulary.
RECENT SYLLABUS ARTICLES
