Finding Popular Reading at TUL
By Kay P Maye
Popular Reading describes literature that has mass commercial appeal. This group includes novels, poetry, and other works that meant to entertain readers. Browse this library guide to find popular reading materials in our library's collection. Many of the readings included on this guide are available in print and as e-books, so be sure to check our catalog if you would prefer the version not featured here.
Our library resources are organized and described with Library of Congress Subject Headings and Name Authorities. These headings and names can be used as search terms to help you find readings of interest. For a complete listing of Library of Congress Subject Headings and Name Authorities, visit the following link: Home - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
Genre Terms to Use
Some terms from the Library of Congress Subject Headings
| Romance | Romance; Love; Marriage (See Love thematic terms); Popular literature |
| Mystery, Tension, Suspense, & Horror | Horror tales; Mystery; Tension; Suspense; Emotion; Fear; Terror; Panic; Stress; Phobia; Suspense fiction; Crime; Violence; Suspense fiction; Precognition; Popular literature; Revelation |
| Young Adult Literature | Young adult literature; Young adult drama; Young adult fiction; Young adult poetry; Young adults; Popular literature |
| Poetry | Poetry; Couplets; Beat poetry; Hymns; Prose poems; Love poetry; Lyric poetry; Slam poetry; Spoken word; Melody |
| Drama (Theater) | Children's plays; Drama; Theater; Black theater; Feminist theater; Gay theater; Melodrama; Passion-plays; Street theater; Popular literature |
| Science Fiction | Science fiction; time travel; X-files fiction; Cyberpunk fiction; Star Wars Fiction; Star Trek Fiction; Popular literature |
| Autobiographies and Biographies | Autobiographies; Biography; Epitaphs; Memoir; Life; Death; Popular literature |
| Fantasy | Fantasy; Magic; Lore; Speculative fiction; Imagination; Daydream; Popular literature |
| Short Form | Zines; Monologue; Soliloquy; Popular literature |
| Graphic Novels and Comics | Comics; Popular literature; Satire; Humor; Graphic Novel; Graphic; Imagery; Graphic fiction; Nonfiction Graphic novels; Superheroes; Villains |
Thematic Terms to Use
Some terms from the Library of Congress Subject Headings
| Family | Family; Siblings; Love; Mother; Father; Loss; Grief; Care; Ancestry |
| Love | Love; Emotions; Affection; Marriage; Unrequited love; Intimacy; Affection; Romance; Divorce; Life; Spouse; Compatibility; Heartbreak |
| Survival, Overcoming, and Self Care | Survival; Overcoming; Self Care; Love; Grief; Triumph; Destiny; Passion; Free will; Determinism; Well-being; Self-love; Mental care |
| Money | Money; Finance; Expenses; Exchange; Hardship; Decline; Prosper; Economics |
| Greed and Malice | Greed; Malice; Hardship; Fear; Concern; Privilege; Pain; Sin |
| Satire and Irony |
Satire; Irony; Wit; Humor; Parody; Grotesque; Sarcasm; Cynicism |
Search the library catalog using the following popular literary awards:
| Nobel Prize in Literature |
| Pulitzer Prize |
| National Book Award |
| Booker Prize (Books published in the UK or Ireland) |
| Women' Prize for Fiction |
| The Hugo Ward (Science Fiction) |
| British Book Award |
| John Newbery Medal (Children's Literature) |
Visit the SEARCH STRATEGIES page to learn more about searching for the library's holdings:
Search Strategies - ENGLISH 1010 - Library Guides at Tulane University
Most popular readings can be found in the English literature and American literature section of the library. Since the library is organized using the Library of Congress call number headings, these readings will have call numbers beginning with PR (English) and PS (American) and are located on the 2nd floor of the library. If you find a book using our online search, you can also use the MAP IT feature to show the book's location.
Select Popular Literature by Tulane Faculty:
- Vengeance by Zachary Lazar
- Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
- World Without Finishing by Peter Cooley
Can't find the reading you need? Use the following form to make a purchase recommendation:
