A Jump (O)ff Reading List by Genre Of Faves [Vol. 1] #SummerAtoZ

Inspired by Goodreads 28 Books That Got You Hooked on a New Genre, we decided to create our own Genre Jump Off List from several popular Book Genres. We’re hoping that we can, in turn, inspire some of you to get hooked on a new genre!

Alternate History – Dread Nation, Justina Ireland

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, changing the fate of the nation forever. In this new nation, laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children, like Jane, attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. When families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies.

This was such a fun twist on a zombie/historical fiction book. You’ll love the protagonist, Jane, who is fierce and fearless and you may find yourself enjoying not only alternate history books but apocalyptic books as well after reading this.

[Buy Dread Nation @ Amazon]

Historical Fiction – Orphan Monster Spy, Matt Killeen

After her mother is shot at a checkpoint, fifteen-year-old Sarah–blonde, blue-eyed, and Jewish–finds herself on the run from a government that wants to see every person like her dead. Then Sarah meets a mysterious man. He’s a spy, and he needs Sarah to become one, too, to pull off a mission he can’t attempt on his own: infiltrate a boarding school attended by the daughters of top Nazi brass, befriend the daughter of a key scientist, and steal the blueprints to a bomb that could destroy the cities of Western Europe.

I’ve read a lot of WWII books and many of them were so incredibly good. Orphan Monster Spy is right up there with my favorites. I found it interesting to see the war from not only a teenagers point of view, but the point of view of a spy.

[Buy Orphan, Monster, Spy @ Amazon]

Science Fiction – Nyxia, Scott Reintgen

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Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery but it’s not an opportunity he can afford to turn down. But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.

I loved this book because despite pitting all ten recruits against each other, they still manage to come together in the end. There is also a bit of a cliff hanger that left me really excited to read the second book.

[Buy Nyxia @ Amazon]

Gothic and Victorian – A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray

It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Her new life is lonely and to make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why?

Even though I read this nearly a decade ago it remains one of my favorite Libba Bray books. It’s really magically written and hard not to love the beautiful Victorian setting turned Wonderland-esque nightmare.

[Buy A Great and Terrible Beauty @ Amazon]

Steampunk – Leviathan, Scott Westerfield

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

Yes, this is a middle grade read but hear me out. Part alternate history, part Steampunk, it’s so well done and the characters are so vibrant that you’ll fall head over heels for this new-to-you genre.

[Buy Leviathan @ Amazon]

Space Opera – Old Man’s War, John Scalzi

John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First he visited his wife’s grave. Then he joined the army. He has only the vaguest idea what to expect. Because the actual fight, light-years from home, is far, far harder than he can imagine–and what he will become is far stranger.

I love the premise for this book. Elderly inhabitants of Earth are given the opportunity to serve 2 years in a space age war against alien races. If they survive, they’re given a generous severance package. People like John Perry, who have no family left, and nothing to lose, go for it. Only thing is, it’s a crazy and brutal war they’re fighting. Give this one a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

[Buy Old Man’s War @ Amazon]

Cyberpunk – Ready Player One, Ernest Cline

In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Hidden within the digital confines of this space are clues based on 80s trivia, that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. Wade can’t even believe it when he stumbles upon the first clue and the game is on!

Well, you have to read this one whether you like 80s trivia or not- a movie is out! But truly, this book is a romp from start to finish and it’s just so much fun.

[Buy Ready Player One @ Amazon]

What genre have you been wanting to try out?

(Photo by Vinicius Amano on Unsplash)