List Of The Most Popular Book Genres In Both Fiction And Non-fiction

If reading is your hobby then these are the popular book genres you really need to know
stories · 5 min
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People have different hobbies; be it singing, dancing, writing, reading or many other things that we could come up with to spend our leisure time after some vigorous work or just to relax ourselves to relieve some stress. Others do it for fun.

On the other hand, I prefer to read. Reading is like a breath of fresh air for me, I would always end up immersing myself in another world where reality does not exist and anything could happen. That is the beauty of a story.

And when it comes to selecting a great book, you have lots of choices to choose from. Do you like fantasy or sci-fi? Maybe a thriller or mystery? Do you prefer romance or drama? When you are a major reader, it’s easy to get caught up and frustrated with the endless arrays of genre selections that are present today. What exactly should we look for?

Here is the list of the most popular book genre in both fiction and nonfiction to make it more convenient and easier for you to look for your next book to read.

1. Action and Adventure

An action and adventure story primarily features a constant slam-bang of fights, chases, explosions, and clever one-liners. It does not explore the complex relationship between human beings, instead, they are highly-octane thrillers that simply aim to give the reader an exciting ride.

2. Classics

A classic includes older works that have withstood the test of time and are still widely read today. A well-known example is The Odyssey by Homer.

3. Comic Book or Graphic Novel

A graphic novel, as its name suggests, is a novel that tells a complete story via illustrations. A graphic novel contains a beginning, middle, and end. A graphic novel will offer the type of resolution that one expects from a novel, even if it is part of a series. Effectively, this makes a graphic novel longer and more substantive than a comic book, which is a serialized excerpt from a larger narrative.

4. Detective and Mystery

Mysteries always begin with murder. The plot revolves around a crime that must be solved – by the protagonist. It is centered on the intellectual exercise of trying to figure out the motives behind the crime, or the puzzle.

5. Fantasy

This genre of a fiction concentrates on imaginary elements (fantastic). This means magic, supernatural, alternate worlds, superheroes, monsters, fairies, magical creatures, mythological heroes – it can be anything that an author imagined the outside of reality to be like.

6. Historical Fiction

Good historical fiction can transport you into the past time periods and bygone eras, full of colorful characters that modern readers can relate to.

7. Horror

It is a genre of fiction whose purpose is to create feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, and terror in the readers – it develops an atmosphere of horror. Horror feeds on the reader's deepest terrors by putting life’s most frightening and perplexing things – death, evil, supernatural powers or creatures, the afterlife, witchcraft – at the center of attention. Horror should make the reader feel afraid through imaginary and language.

8. Literary Fiction

Literary Fiction does not adhere to any rules. Anything can happen which can be both unnerving and exciting for readers. It is meant to evoke deep thought through stories that offer personal or social commentary on a particular theme.

9. Romance 

This genre would make your heart all fuzzy and warm, which focuses on the love story of the main protagonist. It has a variety of sub-genres’ including contemporary romance, historical, paranormal, and steamy erotica.

10. Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)

It is a genre of fiction literature whose content is imaginative but based on science. It relies heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support for its settings, characters, themes, and plotlines, which distinguish it from fantasy.

11. Short Stories

It is shorter than novels. It strictly tells narrative events through specific themes and a series of brief scenes while achieving to thrill and entertain the readers.

12. Suspense and Thrillers

It induces strong feelings of excitement, anxiety, tension, suspense, fear, and other similar emotions in its readers – in other words, it thrills the readers.

13. Women’s Fiction

Women's fiction specifically targets female readers, often reflecting on the shared experiences of being a woman and the main characters personal growth.

14. Biographies and Autobiographies

Biography is a self-written life story, while Autobiography is a life story of a person written by someone else. There seems to be of no difference between the two genres’, but personally, I find it more interesting to read autobiographies than a biography because you are reading the thoughts of the person instead of someone else’s interpretation.

15. Cookbooks

Cookbooks are traditionally written by professional chefs or your favorite celebrity. Cookbooks offer a wide collection of recipes, specific to a theme, cuisine, or experience chosen by the author.

16. Essays

It is a piece of writing that gives the author’s own argument. It is commonly used as literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author.

17. History

History genre, depicts historical events, personages, and socially significant phenomena in the history of society. Although it concerned with the past, it can also represent recent events whose social significance is recognized by the contemporaries.

18. Memoir

The memoir is a Non-fiction written in the first person about a slice of life. They focus on moments and scenes that communicate a specific message or lesson to the reader about the author.

17. Poetry

Poetry is a genre based on the interplay of words and rhythm. In poetry, words are strung together to form sounds, images, and ideas that might be too complex or abstract to describe directly.

18. Self-Help

Self-help is a non-fiction genre that is based on one’s own effort and resources to achieve things and goals without relying on the help of others. It centers to encourage personal improvement and confidence in a variety of aspects of your life.

19. True Crime

The true Crime genre examines actual crimes and entails exact details of the actions done by real people, mainly focusing on murders, kidnappings, and the exploits of serial killers.

In the end, people have different preferences. But if you are still a beginner in reading, then I suggest that you read every genre first then decide which one would suit you best. Good luck with your next read!

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Opinions and Perspectives

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SilentWatcherX commented SilentWatcherX 3 years ago

Genre boundaries are more like guidelines than rules.

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Gwendolyn_Hope commented Gwendolyn_Hope 3 years ago

The key is finding what speaks to you personally.

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EchoTech commented EchoTech 3 years ago

Every genre has its masterpieces and its failures.

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DramaQueenTV commented DramaQueenTV 3 years ago

Good writing can make any genre worthwhile.

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TateCodes commented TateCodes 3 years ago

Reading widely helps develop empathy and understanding.

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IvannaJ commented IvannaJ 3 years ago

Each genre offers something unique to readers.

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NightmareVision commented NightmareVision 3 years ago

The best books often transcend genre boundaries.

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Edgy_Glam_101 commented Edgy_Glam_101 3 years ago

Historical fiction brings the past to life.

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WavelengthX commented WavelengthX 3 years ago

Poetry distills language to its essence.

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MetalHeadX commented MetalHeadX 3 years ago

Memoirs give us intimate glimpses into others' lives.

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MarinaX commented MarinaX 3 years ago

Cookbooks preserve cultural heritage through food.

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Carla-MacDonald commented Carla-MacDonald 3 years ago

True crime helps us understand human nature.

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Lauryn99 commented Lauryn99 3 years ago

Science fiction examines the human impact of technology.

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MelodyLover commented MelodyLover 3 years ago

Mystery novels exercise our problem-solving skills.

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Astrid99 commented Astrid99 3 years ago

Horror taps into our deepest fears and anxieties.

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TinaDreams commented TinaDreams 3 years ago

Fantasy helps us explore real-world issues in creative ways.

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SelfCareQueen commented SelfCareQueen 3 years ago

Women's fiction addresses universal human experiences.

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Isla_Rae commented Isla_Rae 3 years ago

Literary fiction pushes the boundaries of storytelling.

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CyberGlitch commented CyberGlitch 3 years ago

Short stories are perfect for our busy modern lives.

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IvyMoonlight commented IvyMoonlight 3 years ago

Classic books earned their status by remaining relevant.

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Marvel_Maniac99 commented Marvel_Maniac99 3 years ago

Biography writers face the challenge of making facts engaging.

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NeonFuturist commented NeonFuturist 3 years ago

Graphic novels can tell stories in unique and powerful ways.

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GabriellaK commented GabriellaK 3 years ago

Suspense is all about pacing and timing.

0
Sophie_Blossom commented Sophie_Blossom 3 years ago

Romance novels often get unfairly dismissed despite their complexity.

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DarkKnight commented DarkKnight 3 years ago

Essays allow for such personal exploration of ideas.

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ConsciousBreathing commented ConsciousBreathing 3 years ago

Action-adventure can have depth beyond just exciting sequences.

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BalancedBites commented BalancedBites 3 years ago

The best self-help books are based on real research and experience.

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SamanthaB_77 commented SamanthaB_77 3 years ago

Historical fiction makes the past come alive in ways textbooks can't.

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OOTD_Glam commented OOTD_Glam 3 years ago

Poetry can capture emotions that prose sometimes can't reach.

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Sophia23 commented Sophia23 3 years ago

Comic books have really evolved as a storytelling medium.

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Wardrobe_Magic commented Wardrobe_Magic 3 years ago

True crime needs a balance between sensitivity and honesty.

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Ruby98 commented Ruby98 3 years ago

Science fiction often predicts real technological advances.

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LoveSpark101 commented LoveSpark101 4 years ago

Memoirs can be just as engaging as fiction when well-written.

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TillInfinityAndBeyond commented TillInfinityAndBeyond 4 years ago

The lines between literary and genre fiction are definitely blurring.

1
AcousticSoul commented AcousticSoul 4 years ago

Horror reflects our societal fears in interesting ways.

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NetflixJunkie commented NetflixJunkie 4 years ago

Cookbooks have become more about storytelling and less about just recipes.

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Closet-Dreams_99 commented Closet-Dreams_99 4 years ago

Short stories require such precise writing. Every word has to count.

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HollywoodActorFan_Mila commented HollywoodActorFan_Mila 4 years ago

Romance novels often tackle serious social issues while still providing entertainment.

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EllaTravels commented EllaTravels 4 years ago

Mystery writers need to be incredibly clever to keep readers guessing until the end.

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Deeply_Connected_777 commented Deeply_Connected_777 4 years ago

Fantasy allows for such creative world-building. It's like creating a whole universe from scratch.

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HappinessBlueprint commented HappinessBlueprint 4 years ago

Literary fiction often incorporates elements from other genres while maintaining its unique characteristics.

0
DramaSeriesLover commented DramaSeriesLover 4 years ago

The article doesn't mention how audiobooks have influenced these genres.

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HudsonBell commented HudsonBell 4 years ago

Historical fiction can be a great way to learn about overlooked historical perspectives.

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Lowry_Ledger commented Lowry_Ledger 4 years ago

Self-help books seem to be incorporating more scientific research these days.

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MovieReel_Jack commented MovieReel_Jack 4 years ago

The section on classics could use more contemporary examples. New classics are being made all the time.

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BelieveAchieve commented BelieveAchieve 4 years ago

Comic books and graphic novels deserve more recognition as legitimate literary forms.

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MoveAndThrive commented MoveAndThrive 4 years ago

I've noticed poetry becoming more accessible through social media platforms.

1
AlainaH commented AlainaH 4 years ago

True crime has become much more analytical and less sensationalistic in recent years.

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JosephineX commented JosephineX 4 years ago

The description of action-adventure focuses too much on physical action and not enough on emotional stakes.

0
Nova_Sunset commented Nova_Sunset 4 years ago

Science fiction seems to be getting more respect as a serious literary genre lately.

1
Lara_Twilight commented Lara_Twilight 4 years ago

The distinction between biography and autobiography is interesting. Both offer unique perspectives.

5
HannahTorres commented HannahTorres 4 years ago

Horror can be surprisingly philosophical when done well. It's not all just scares and gore.

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RadiateHappiness commented RadiateHappiness 4 years ago

I think the boundaries between genres are becoming more fluid. Many books defy easy categorization.

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DressTo_Impress commented DressTo_Impress 4 years ago

Memoirs have really evolved as a genre. They're not just celebrity tell-alls anymore.

7
LucySanders commented LucySanders 4 years ago

The article's advice about reading widely is really valuable. I've discovered some unexpected favorites that way.

4
TwilightPhantom commented TwilightPhantom 4 years ago

Essays seem underappreciated as a genre. Some of the most thought-provoking writing I've read has been in essay form.

1
Michael commented Michael 4 years ago

I've found that comic books can tackle serious subjects just as effectively as traditional novels.

0
LiveTheatreEnthusiast_55 commented LiveTheatreEnthusiast_55 4 years ago

The description of suspense and thrillers could be more detailed. There's quite a difference between the two.

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QuantumDreamer commented QuantumDreamer 4 years ago

Romance novels often get unfairly criticized. They can be just as well-written as any other genre.

5
Michael-Ray commented Michael-Ray 4 years ago

Historical fiction has taught me more about history than my school textbooks ever did.

0
Bella_Whimsy commented Bella_Whimsy 4 years ago

The line between literary fiction and genre fiction seems to be blurring these days.

5
LostSignalX commented LostSignalX 4 years ago

I appreciate how the article encourages readers to experiment with different genres.

5
Grayson_2010 commented Grayson_2010 4 years ago

Mystery novels don't always start with murder anymore. The genre has evolved quite a bit.

7
Dapper-Aesthetic commented Dapper-Aesthetic 4 years ago

Fantasy has become so much more than just dragons and wizards. The genre has really matured.

7
Zombie_Movie_Survivor commented Zombie_Movie_Survivor 4 years ago

The article doesn't mention how digital publishing has influenced these genres.

4
Faith_67 commented Faith_67 4 years ago

I love how sci-fi can explore current social issues through the lens of future technology.

1
ZoeyCarter commented ZoeyCarter 4 years ago

Women's fiction often gets dismissed, but it deals with universal themes that anyone can relate to.

4
MovieBuff247 commented MovieBuff247 4 years ago

The definition of action-adventure seems a bit simplistic. Many modern examples have complex character development.

0
SilentFrequency commented SilentFrequency 4 years ago

I've noticed cookbooks are becoming more like memoirs with recipes. The genre is really evolving.

3
Comic-Con_Lover commented Comic-Con_Lover 4 years ago

It's fascinating how some books become classics while others from the same era are forgotten.

4
Aimee-Fischer commented Aimee-Fischer 4 years ago

The section on poetry could be expanded. There are so many different forms and styles not mentioned.

6
Fiona99 commented Fiona99 4 years ago

I find it interesting how some genres, like romance, have such strict conventions while others are more flexible.

0
Tessa-Gibson commented Tessa-Gibson 4 years ago

Self-help books have really diversified. They're not all just positive thinking anymore.

8
Adeline_Skies commented Adeline_Skies 4 years ago

The explanation of graphic novels versus comic books really cleared things up for me. I never understood the difference before.

1
Goodman_Guide commented Goodman_Guide 4 years ago

True crime needs to be approached with more sensitivity. Sometimes authors seem to forget they're writing about real victims.

5
MagicOfLove commented MagicOfLove 4 years ago

I wonder why young adult fiction isn't included as its own category? It's become such a significant market.

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ReelMagic commented ReelMagic 4 years ago

The advice about trying every genre is spot on. I discovered my love for sci-fi that way, after years of avoiding it.

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SelfLovePractice commented SelfLovePractice 4 years ago

Agreed about horror. Most modern horror relies too heavily on gore rather than psychological fear.

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CrimeDramaSeriesBuff_777 commented CrimeDramaSeriesBuff_777 4 years ago

I think horror is one of the hardest genres to write well. Creating genuine fear through words alone is quite an achievement.

5
Ruby-Fisher commented Ruby-Fisher 4 years ago

The distinction between memoirs and autobiographies could be clearer. I've read books that seem to fall into both categories.

3
Bessie_Blossom commented Bessie_Blossom 4 years ago

This inspired me to branch out from my usual reading habits. Maybe I'll try something from a genre I usually avoid.

4
Ava-Davis commented Ava-Davis 4 years ago

Comic books have really evolved beyond superhero stories. Some of the most thought-provoking writing I've read lately has been in graphic novel format.

0
Noah_News commented Noah_News 4 years ago

I've noticed historical fiction has become much more diverse lately, exploring perspectives that were previously ignored.

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Radiate-Happiness_555 commented Radiate-Happiness_555 4 years ago

The description of literary fiction seems too open-ended. Surely there must be some defining characteristics beyond just not following rules?

4
Mckenzie_Star commented Mckenzie_Star 4 years ago

Some of my favorite books actually blend multiple genres. I wish the article addressed how genres often overlap.

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CyberMystic commented CyberMystic 4 years ago

I'm glad the article mentions short stories. They're often overlooked but require incredible skill to execute well.

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Sarah_87 commented Sarah_87 4 years ago

Anyone else notice how suspense and thrillers are lumped together? In my experience, they can be quite different in terms of pacing and story structure.

1
Organized-And_Happy_2024 commented Organized-And_Happy_2024 4 years ago

The classics section seems a bit limited. I think we need to expand our definition of what makes a classic beyond just old books that are still read.

0
Dahlia99 commented Dahlia99 4 years ago

You make a good point about murder mysteries. I recently read a mystery centered around art theft and it was just as gripping.

2
Glam_Affair commented Glam_Affair 4 years ago

I find it fascinating how mystery novels always seem to start with murder. There are so many other crimes that could make compelling mysteries.

4
Designer_Luxe commented Designer_Luxe 4 years ago

Poetry deserves more attention than it gets. It's probably the most versatile genre on this list.

3
MindfulMoves commented MindfulMoves 4 years ago

Memoir writing is definitely more challenging than people think. It's not just about telling your life story, but finding the universal truth in personal experience.

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Glam_Society commented Glam_Society 4 years ago

Self-help books have gotten such a bad reputation, but I've found some truly life-changing ones. The key is finding authors with genuine expertise.

1
Movie_Costume_Designer_22 commented Movie_Costume_Designer_22 4 years ago

The cookbook genre has really evolved beyond just collections of recipes. Some of my favorite cookbooks now include travel writing and personal essays.

0
BestFilmScores_Ever commented BestFilmScores_Ever 4 years ago

Interesting point about autobiographies versus biographies. I actually prefer biographies because they often provide a more objective perspective.

3
WeddingBellsRing commented WeddingBellsRing 4 years ago

I never understood why women's fiction needs to be its own category. Good fiction is good fiction, regardless of the target audience.

5
HaleyWanders commented HaleyWanders 4 years ago

The explanation of sci-fi versus fantasy really helped me understand the distinction. I always mixed these two genres up!

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BingeMode_Alex commented BingeMode_Alex 4 years ago

Literary fiction's description feels a bit vague to me. I think it's more about the quality of prose and depth of character exploration than simply not following rules.

5
Kroll_Keynotes commented Kroll_Keynotes 4 years ago

Does anyone else find it interesting how graphic novels are distinguished from comic books here? I never really thought about the difference in terms of resolution and narrative structure.

3
WarpedRealities commented WarpedRealities 4 years ago

I actually disagree with the article's take on action and adventure not exploring complex relationships. Many modern action novels have deep character development.

7
Barnes_Broadcast commented Barnes_Broadcast 4 years ago

True crime has exploded in popularity lately. I've noticed a huge increase in quality true crime books being published in the last few years.

1
Krugman_Column commented Krugman_Column 4 years ago

As someone who writes romance novels, I think the description here barely scratches the surface. Romance is so much more complex than just making hearts fuzzy and warm.

0
ReginaH commented ReginaH 4 years ago

The description of horror really resonates with me. I think modern horror novels don't quite capture that same feeling of dread that classic horror authors managed to create.

3
MindfulMunchies commented MindfulMunchies 4 years ago

While I appreciate fantasy, I find myself drawn more to historical fiction. There's something fascinating about experiencing different time periods through a fictional lens.

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HackerMind commented HackerMind 4 years ago

I absolutely love how comprehensive this list is! Fantasy has always been my go-to genre. Nothing beats escaping into a world of magic and mythical creatures.

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