What will be the next big thing?

[moregarlic]

Inspired by the psychological thriller thread - what do you think will be the next popular genre?

How about a psychological novel with covid undertones? That's right, you could never see the ending coming - that jab she was given was not the covid vaccine ....

It's already upon us.
Swirly faux-gothic. Navy or dark green covers, swirls. Lass fallen on hard times ends up in big house as governess or scullery maid.. Weird things happen. But not ghosty things. You're left at the end going "but when is the scary bit coming".

Regardless of the genre, its big hook will once again be the degradation of women.

@NannyAndJohn

Regardless of the genre, its big hook will once again be the degradation of women.

Ouch! I think there is truth in that, sadly.

I would be interested to know - do readers really enjoy reading about sexual violence / misery lit regarding women? Or is it something thrust upon us by publishers.

Do you think after covid, we’ll have a run of feel-good books, to cheer us all up?

I’ve recently discovered an entire fiction genre around supernatural detectives/bounty hunters which is total escapism AND the lead characters are always strong, capable women who show the men how it’s done!

@Standrewsschool

Do you think after covid, we’ll have a run of feel-good books, to cheer us all up?

I’d like this option please!

Yeah, I want to read happy books and funny books and heartwarming books for a while.

Fantasy series seem to be the big thing on booktok.

Booktok is dominated by the young though, middle aged women are the biggest book buyers (although I buy as much for my DDs who are completely influenced by booktok so maybe booktok still matters!).

Humour will be back (finally, after that looong period of misery lit followed by the inteeeermindable pysch thrillers). That was partly why Thursday Murder Club was so successful.