"From psychological suspense and historical fiction to "gentle reads" and romance, this comprehensive guide from expert readers' advisor Joyce Saricks explores the many worlds of fiction. Covering fifteen popular genres, the chapters include a definition of the genre, its characteristics (such as characterization, story line, and frame), and its key authors and subgenres. To help you prepare for the eternal "can you recommend a good book on ..." question, there are also reader interview tips, reference sources, and guidelines on how to prepare for the questions you will undoubtedly get." "The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction offers hands-on strategies for librarians who want to become expert at figuring out what their readers are looking for and how to match great books up to those interests."--BOOK JACKET.