Snug. Calm. Fuzzy. Cozy. The room is filled with the aromas of fall–sweet cinnamon, pumpkin treats and flavorful drinks. It’s the perfect occasion to get hooked on a new book.

There are so many genres of books that can captivate young students’ attention, getting them interested in more and more reading both inside and outside of school. Yet, some may not realize how rewarding reading can actually be in terms of developing their imagination. Exploring different types of genres can help a person figure out his or her personal preferences and discover a great book to read.

But, what exactly makes a book great? Elkhart High School librarian, Mrs. Colleen Shook, describes the process as this: “The setting is critical, and it has to contribute to the plot, so that it can appeal most to readers to grab their attention.”  Shook insists that, for students of all interests, they are surely to find something of their personal choosing.  She also recommends books such as Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton.  “Whiteout focuses on short stories that go through many seasons and weather–for example, winter and heavy snow storms,” Shook explains. “Those stories connect through events and make it more exciting to read.” She also finds such genres as action and mystery especially interesting; they really “amp up” the readers to get them more invested in similar themes.

Mrs. Brandy Barbour, an English teacher at Elkhart High School, agrees with Shook, adding, “The timeline of the book is what matters and makes me more engaged with it, as well.” Continuing, Barbour points out another area to take into consideration. “I don’t like it when books are written in past tense, because they get very boring quickly.” Noting that this is merely her personal preference, she continues to explain why: “It’s more interesting when they are in present tense because it creates a happening-now situation.” The qualities that both Barbour and Shook admire in a book could also be captivating for others to enjoy.

If not, readers are welcome to explore other directions. Horror genres are most popular this month, getting all into the Halloween spirit. Joaquin Zuniga, a junior at Elkhart High School, really finds himself leaning more towards this genre this time of year. “I really enjoy how well horror genres are written and how much more suspense are in them,” he starts off. “Stephen King, for example, has a way of explaining and telling scary stories–it’s simple but thrilling. ” Clarifying, he adds, “It’s a good way for most people to understand and not get lost with immense words.” However, Zuniga also mentions his love of the play Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, which is not a horror story by any stretch of the imagination. However, as with horror stories, it is filled with suspense and intrigue. “It’s a good book and not daunting to read,”  Zuniga says in defense of the play. These recommendations can also be enticing for others who are interested in similar styles.

For students who are more engaged with young adult fiction, Barbour has a thrilling recommendation for them: That Weekend by Kara Thomas. “I am usually the type of person to predict the outcome of endings beforehand,” she confides, “but this book and its erratic plot twists had my jaw on the ground. Not many books can have you as shocked as this book!” Well-crafted books and suspenseful themes can stick out most to young individuals, leaving them hungry for more.

Clearly, authors create stories to fit a variety of palates. To say one doesn’t like reading is like saying one doesn’t like eating. As with food, everyone’s taste in literature is different. However, there are many appetizing genres on the menu and on the bookshelf. All one needs to do is pick one up and devour it.