Which BookGenres Reign Supreme in Each U.S. State? Find Your Fav!

If someone asked me about my preferred book genres, picking just one would be incredibly difficult. Although I enjoy immersing myself in thrilling mysteries, I can\’t do without deep, character-focused modern stories either. Additionally, fantasy novels that whisk me away to different worlds are absolutely indispensable for me. Nonetheless, if I had to
had
To make a selection, I would opt for
mystery novels
, which always manage to make me completely lose track of the fact that I\’m reading.

Given that I reside in California, this might not come as much of a shock. A new survey carried out by Cloudwards reveals that the top book genres differ significantly from one state to another within the U.S. Indeed, it turns out that the preferred genre changes considerably depending on which part of the country you\’re looking at.
books in every state
might be just as closely related to the genre as to the narratives themselves.

Eager to discover whether your go-to literary genre matches the preferred choice in your state? Continue reading to learn about the most-read book genres across each state and to receive suggestions for similar reads you might enjoy.
best books
in each category.

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What was the process for identifying the most popular book genres?

Figuring out the top book genres within each state and nationwide wasn’t an easy feat, yet Cloudwards took it head-on. They gathered information from Google Trends throughout one year to examine which literary categories saw the highest search volumes.

To ensure the highest accuracy of the data, Cloudwards utilized search data exclusively from Google Trends’ Books & Literature category, omitting queries unrelated to books and reading. This approach covered all major areas.
book genres
These were incorporated as search terms within the analysis.

Which are the top book genres preferred in each state?

A country-wide survey uncovered the book genres preferred by people in every state along with regional patterns. How closely do your reading choices align with those around you? Look through the findings for each state listed below to find out if the most popular type of literature where you live corresponds with what you enjoy reading.

• 
  Alabama:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Alaska:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Arizona:
  
  Romance
• 
  Arkansas:
  
  Fiction
• 
  California:
  
  Mystery
• 
  Colorado:
  
  Romance
• 
  Connecticut:
  
  Romance
• 
  Delaware:
  
  Fiction
• 
  District of Columbia:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Florida:
  
  Romance
• 
  Georgia:
  
  Romance
• 
  Hawaii:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Idaho:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Illinois:
  
  Romance
• 
  Indiana:
  
  Romance
• 
  Iowa:
  
  Family
• 
  Kansas:
  
  Romance
• 
  Kentucky:
  
  Romance
• 
  Louisiana:
  
  Romance
• 
  Maine:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Maryland:
  
  Romance
• 
  Massachusetts:
  
  History
• 
  Michigan:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  Minnesota:
  
  Romance
• 
  Mississippi:
  
  Family
• 
  Missouri:
  
  Romance
• 
  Montana:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Nebraska:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Nevada:
  
  Romance
• 
  New Hampshire:
  
  Poetry
• 
  New Jersey:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  New Mexico:
  
  Poetry
• 
  New York:
  
  Romance
• 
  North Carolina:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  North Dakota:
  
  Romance
• 
  Ohio:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  Oklahoma:
  
  Romance
• 
  Oregon:
  
  Romance
• 
  Pennsylvania:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Rhode Island:
  
  Poetry
• 
  South Carolina:
  
  Family
• 
  South Dakota:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Tennessee:
  
  Romance
• 
  Texas:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  Utah:
  
  Romance
• 
  Vermont:
  
  Poetry
• 
  Virginia:
  
  Romance
• 
  Washington:
  
  Fantasy
• 
  West Virginia:
  
  Fiction
• 
  Wisconsin:
  
  Romance
• 
  Wyoming:
  
  Fiction

What genre of books is the most popular in the United States?

Americans adore romantic stories, and these tales of affection are currently the best-selling genre in the U.S., dominating in an impressive 22 states. This accounts for nearly half of all American states!

Romance is among the most extensive categories in literature due to its vast array of sub-genres, ranging from historical romance to modern romantic comedies.
romantic fantasy
(also referred to as romantasy) into paranormal romances and even further genres. Readers of romance novels often extend their interests to include additional categories.
a lot
, with some individuals reading several books each month.

While BookTok receives significant recognition, the rise in romance novel sales can largely be attributed to the pandemic. During this time, people seeking comfort turned to these uplifting narratives. Given that romances inherently offer satisfying conclusions, they became an appealing choice for many readers looking for positivity.

Eager to jump into the romance trend? Check out these suggestions:
top romantic books ever
to get you started.

Historical romance

• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
  by Julia Quinn
• Outlander
  by Diana Gabaldon
• A Tropical Rebel Wins Over the Duke
  by Adriana Herrera

Contemporary romance

• Book Lovers
  by Emily Henry
• Just for the Summer
  by Abby Jiminez
• Slow Dance
  by Rainbow Rowell

Romantasy

• Fourth Wing
  by Rebecca Yarros
• Divine Rivals
  by Rebecca Ross
• Bride
  by Ali Hazelwood

Western romance

• Done and Dusted
  by Lyla Sage
• Flawless
  by Elsie Silver
• Kit McBride Acquires a Spouse
  by Amy Barry

What other book genres do Americans love to read?

While romance might be the most beloved genre, many other categories also captivate American readers, such as fiction and poetry.
fantasy
, family drama, mystery, and history. Fiction is an exceptionally varied genre that encompasses multiple countries and cultures; therefore, there is likely a piece of general or literary fiction that resonates with each reader\’s preferences.

Maybe a rather unexpected popular choice,
poetry
Has emerged as a cherished category in multiple regions following a slight decline in popularity over recent years. Although fantasy was previously seen as an extremely specialized genre, it\’s now experiencing resurgence, particularly in areas home to leading academic institutions and tech-focused industrial sectors.

Books in the
family genre
Ranging from multi-generational epics to modern family dramas, these types of literature are particularly favored in certain regions, although enthusiasts for tales centered around familial bonds can be found nationwide. Despite each having claimed first place honors in just one state, mysteries and historical novels continue to maintain dedicated readerships across the nation.

Interested in seeing how your preferred genre placed? Below are the rankings based on our analysis by genre.

• 
  Romance:
  
  22 states
• 
  Fiction:
  
  9 states
• 
  Poetry:
  
  9 states
• 
  Fantasy:
  
  6 states
• 
  Family:
  
  3 states
• 
  Mystery:
  
  1 state
• 
  History:
  
  1 state

What are some top-rated books in America\’s most beloved genres?

Regardless of where you reside in the nation, you\’ll find books across various genres that will capture your interest. After you\’ve completed your beloved romance novels, venture into the expansive realm of different literature.
best fiction books
, or improve your poetic skills. If you\’re seeking some light entertainment, pick up a fantasy or mystery novel. Alternatively, if you prefer staying connected to reality, choose a history book or a tale centered around family and community spirit.

Uncertain about your preferred literary genre? A great approach to discover it is by exploring various types! Below you\’ll find some suggested titles spanning several leading genres nationwide, featuring both current bestsellers and enduring classics.

Fiction

• Beloved
  by Toni Morrison
• My Brilliant Friend
  by Elena Ferrante
• The next day, and the one after that, and the one following that
  by Gabrielle Zevin

Poetry

• The Collected Poems
  by Sylvia Plath
• The Complete Poetry
  by Maya Angelou
• Nocturnal Skies with Open Gates
  by Ocean Vuong

Fantasy

• The House Beneath the Azure Seas
  by T.J. Klune
• Piranesi
  by Susanna Clarke
• Blood Over Bright Haven
  by M.L. Wang

Family

• Little Women
  by Louisa May Alcott
• Daughters of Shandong
  by Eve J. Chung
• Tom Lake
  by Ann Patchett

Mystery

• The Deity of the Forest
  by Liz Moore
• The Maid
  by Nita Prose
• And Then There Were None
  by Agatha Christie

History

• Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege
  ,
  A Revolution
  by Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Wager
  by David Grann
• The Eternal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  by Rebecca Skloot

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Sources:

• Cloudwards
  What Is America Reading? Leading Book Categories by State
• The New York Times
  A Boom in Romance Bookstores