2025 Reading Challenge discussion

I think that it might be a good idea to have a dictionary of sorts here so that if there is any terms that you need clarification about you can find it in one place. This will be a working progress dictionary...so bare with me.

ps. most of this is from Wikipedia.....

Paranormal Romance: PNR
a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror. Paranormal romance may range from traditional category romances, such as those published by Harlequin Mills & Boon, with a paranormal setting to stories where the main emphasis is on a science fiction or fantasy based plot with a romantic subplot included. Common hallmarks are romantic relationships between humans and vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, and other entities of a fantastic or otherworldly nature.

Urban Fantasy: UF
a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods. The prerequisite is that they must be primarily set in a city.

Steampunk
a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville.

Chick lit
is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly. The genre sold well during the 1990s and 2000s, with chick lit titles topping bestseller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick lit. Although it sometimes includes romantic elements, chick lit is generally not considered a direct subcategory of the romance novel genre, because the heroine's relationship with her family or friends is often just as important as her romantic relationships. chick lit often features hip, stylish, career-driven female protagonists, usually in their twenties and thirties. The women featured in these novels may be obsessed with appearance or have a passion for shopping, e.g. Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of Sex and the City.

Dark fantasy
a term used to describe a fantasy story with a pronounced horror element. (ex. The Dark Tower)

metafiction
a form of self-referential literature concerned with the art and devices of fiction itself. (ex. Misery)

:)

What are some other things that you want me to put in here?

Metafiction. I keep on forgetting what it is.

added it Adriana...Hope that helps! It is kind of confusing for me too. can anyone else help us a bit more on Metafiction?

The dictionary defines it as; fiction that discusses, describes, or analyses a work of fiction or the conventions of fiction. After further investigations I found the most common types of metafiction and some examples of each one;
• A novel about a writer creating a story (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man).
•A novel about a reader reading a novel (The Princess Bride)
•A novel which features itself as its own prop or McGuffin (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
•A novel within the novel (The Man in the High Castle, Sophie’s World or The Princess Bride).
•A novel wherein the author (not merely the narrator) is a character (Breakfast of Champions or Slaughterhouse Five)
•A non-linear novel, which can be read in any order other than from beginning to end (Finnegans Wake).
•Merging characters or elements from diverse works of fiction into a new fictional scenario (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)



i got this from google but it couldnt quite grasp the actual meaning of it

Kelley wrote: "The dictionary defines it as; fiction that discusses, describes, or analyses a work of fiction or the conventions of fiction. After further investigations I found the most common types of metaficti..."

Thanks Kelly!! That is very helpful!

I see the term "Literary Fiction" often. What does this mean?

Literary fiction means more "heavy" or serious (or claiming to be serious) books as opposed to pop(ular) fiction which is lighter in depth and scope.

For example: Most so-called classics would fall under literary fiction as would any modern day book that is more complex and serious in tone, often with some kind of underlying message etc. This would be versus pop or genre fiction which is a lighter (easier) read; most romance novels, cozy mysteries etc.

Christian fiction, might be an obvious one but maybe not?

Since no one else has tackled this one, let's see if I can. This would be my interpretation of Christian fiction, but while it's broad, I think it's fairly accurate.

To me Christian fiction would be any book in which Christian values, faith or ideas play an important part of the plot. Either through direct writing, allegory or positive representation of obviously Christian characters. I am guessing it would also include any books that are retellings of events/people from the Bible if it's done in a positive light.

Examples:
From Classical Literature: Inferno by Dante would be an obvious one as would The Pilgrim's Progress.
Allegorical: The most famous that comes to mind are the Narnia books with Aislin being a representation of Jesus Christ.
Characters: The Brother Cadfael Chronicles of Ellis Peters or the Father Blackie books by Andrew Greeley.
Themed: There's quite a bit of Christian-inspired romance novels out there which tend to be more subtle, expounding Christian values or faith. Then there's the bang-you-over-the-head with it sort like the Left Behind series which deal with the Rapture and end times.
Bible figures: The only one that comes to mind is the Christ the Lord series by Anne Rice, though I am sure there are more.

These books are from different genres, from fiction to romance, mystery to fantasy and suspense/thriller type novels. So Christian fiction can be found in a variety of different styles.

Tatum,
Thank you for clearing up the term for me. It makes much more since to me now.

I can't seem to understand what 'Contemporary Fiction' means. Can someone help...?

Sure thing, Nathaly! It's a work of fiction that takes place in modern times. In other words, it's not historical or futuristic.

Kara wrote: "Sure thing, Nathaly! It's a work of fiction that takes place in modern times. In other words, it's not historical or futuristic."

thanks!