Five Fall Favorites: Genres I Don’t Usually Read

Happy Thursday, friends! 🍂 Today I’m stepping out of my reading comfort zone to share five books I didn’t expect to love—because they’re from genres I don’t usually reach for. Whether it’s sci-fi, dystopian, or bunny-led fantasy (yes, really!), these stories stretched me and stuck with me. Let’s dive in!

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1. Red Rain by Aubrey Hansen

Goodreads link →

I read very little sci-fi – most of what I’ve seen just isn’t my thing – but this variant of Christian sci-fi pulled me in. A 16-year-old girl is relocated to Mars and caught in a web of secrets and impossible choices. Short, sharp, and full of depth—it showed me what real, Biblically-focused Christian sci-fi could be.

Excellent Christian foundation and themes, good POV from the main character, excellent conflict. I appreciated that the plot was complex – not just “good guys fight the bad guys.” The ending was unique and refreshing. I never read dystopia or sci-fi, but I’m happy to recommend this book as the almost sole exception to that. Christian sci-fi and dystopian authors, take note. 🙂

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2. Counted Worthy by Leah E. Good

Goodreads link →

hought-provoking, outstanding, realistic, clean, refreshing, thrilling…

I don’t usually read or enjoy dystopian, but Counted Worthy threw the genre into a refreshing, clean, uplifting setting. Nothing questionable was present. What’s more, Counted Worthy is a well-written action story centered around Biblical values. Heather’s feelings, thoughts, fears, and plans were realistic and relatable. 

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3. The Chronic Warrior Chronicles

Goodreads link →

I’ve never before read superhero stories… but wow! Angie Thompson can truly take any genre and make it amazing. These aren’t your ordinary superheroes… each one of them has a chronic illness, and their abilities are directly related to that in a way that almost feels like it could be totally realistic and scientific with medical advances. What’s more, every character has personality. It’s fun. It’s real. There are many struggles and challenges. I may never read superhero fiction from any other author, but I’d highly recommend this series and its sequels.

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4. AKA Simon Lee (series) by P.D. Atkerson

Goodreads link ->

Enjoyable. Fast paced. Clean. Great dialogue. Lots of adventure. 

I don’t read spy thrillers – ever. But P.D. Atkerson writes clean, simple, and Christian-based stories that keep you turning the pages. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean spy fiction with snark.

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5. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

Goodreads link →

Talking rabbits with swords? I didn’t think it was for me—but this one proved me wrong. A beautiful tale of loyalty, hope, and honor wrapped in classic storytelling. It’s whimsical but weighty.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, so I went in with no expectations. I’d heard good things, and it’s been on my Kindle/TBR for a while, but I’d never read it – mostly because I’m not too much of a fantasy/alternate world reader (I’m very picky) and I generally don’t enjoy stories with animals as the main characters.

This book may have been about rabbits (#rabbitswithswords), but it wasn’t really about animals in its tone. At many points, I forgot the characters were rabbits. They acted exactly like people, and the fact that they had fur and long ears and quick, high-jumping legs made the plot more interesting and allowed world-building not possible in a people world.

And that world-building was superb. The descriptions, places, society – everything was set up well. The characters were well developed and relatable, and there were such a fun variety of personalities! The tone was a good mix of light and serious. The writing style was simplistic and detailed. Since I listened to the audiobook, it didn’t bother me.

Most of all, the message and themes of the story set it apart. There were so many quotable spiritual themes and phrases repeated throughout this book.

For instance:
– “Bear the flame.”
– “My place beside you.”
– “I accept you.” “I am accepted.”
And my personal favorite:
– “It will not be so in the Mended Wood.”

The analogies are deep and thought-provoking, and that’s not common for a story seemingly aimed at children. I say “seemingly” because there are battles and fighting in this book. Bad things happen. Wolves and birds of prey war against rabbits, and deaths and injuries occur. It’s not graphic, but it’s a lot for a book for children.

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Check Out More Five Fall Favorites!

This week, I’m joining other bloggers to celebrate stories and share favorites! Be sure to stop by these lovely blogs and see what they’re featuring today:

• beyondhistoryspage.weebly.com
• hskylianauthor.com
• booksbyvirginia.wordpress.com
• egbella.com
• substack.com/@gabriellabatel
• farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com
• restinglife.com/blog

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Don’t Miss the Epic Book Giveaway!

Visit readanotherpage.com/blog and onceuponanordinary.com/blog to enter a massive book giveaway running all week!

And DON’T forget to join the epic book giveaway at https://onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/blog/ and readanotherpage.com/blog!

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Thanks for reading along! Have you read any of these genre-defying favorites? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what unexpected books have surprised you this fall! 🍂📚