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On Display at Odum 2022: Adrenaline

Second Floor Display

Adrenaline Genre Group Recommendations

Two ways to increase your heart rate with two options below exercise and reading - read an adrenaline book is selected. 9 out of 10 librarians agree you should read an adrenaline book

About the Genre

Adrenaline Overview

The Adrenaline genre relies on fast-paced action, suspense, and/or gritty storytelling to hold the reader’s attention. If you enjoy a race against time, exotic locales, a tense atmosphere, and high-stakes confrontations, this genre will have you on the edge of your seat!

Common Themes/Tropes

  • Ticking clock: the rapid timeframe might be emphasized by a countdown clock or short calendar on the page.
  • Heroes and villains: because time is short, easily identifiable hero and villain stereotypes may be used as shorthand.
  • Antiheroes: often found in crime thrillers, unlikeable, flawed characters can confront the reader with moral dilemmas and address social issues.

Subgenres

  • Adventure: adventure stories generally center on a quest, or a difficult voyage where the protagonist has a mission to fulfill or must make a discovery, often in an exotic setting.  The Adventure subgenre is less likely to feature violence than Thrillers and Suspense.
    • Examples: Hook, Indiana Jones, Uncharted, Huckleberry Finn, Peter Pan
       
  • Thriller: Thrillers usually contain an intricate plot and often have a twist ending. A lone protagonist is likely to face conspiracy, corruption, and social ills. These stories are often filled with suspense, fear, anxiety, and tension.
    • Examples: Rizzoli & Iles, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Jason Bourne, Bates Motel, Angels and Demons

       
  • Suspense: these stories are often characterized by increasing intensity and pace, a menacing tone, an ordinary protagonist facing danger, and resolution through violent confrontation. 
    • Examples: M. Night Shyamalan films, One Hour Photo, Panic Room, Gone Girl

Contact us

These lists and genre information are brought to you by the students in our genre literature class in the Master in Library and Information Science program. Thank you for sending in such good books, materials, and information. I hope you had a good time with this project!

If any material listed is problematic or you would like to suggest future recommendations and themes please contact Crystal Miller at crrichardson@valdosta.edu! They would love feedback, or just to talk about books!