Myths in Books: Debunking Common Beliefs About Reading, Genre, and Authors

When it comes to books, myths, false beliefs that spread because they sound right, not because they’re true. Also known as literary misconceptions, these ideas shape what we think we know about reading, writing, and who reads what. You’ve probably heard that YA is only for teens, or that historical fiction must stick to every fact. Maybe you were told romance novels are all the same, or that reading boosts your IQ like a magic pill. None of these are fully true—and the truth is way more interesting.

Take historical fiction, stories set in the past that blend real events with imagined characters and dialogue. Also known as fictionalized history, it’s not about rewriting facts—it’s about making them feel real. Books like those by Hilary Mantel or Colson Whitehead don’t lie; they fill gaps with emotion. And yet, people still think if a novel includes a fictional character at a real battle, it’s "unhistorical." That’s a myth. The same goes for romance novels, stories centered on emotional relationships, often with a happy ending. Also known as love stories, they’ve evolved far beyond the clichés of damsel-in-distress and billionaire heroes. Today’s bestsellers focus on grief, queer love, and quiet moments between two people who just get each other. Nora Roberts didn’t sell half a billion books by repeating tropes—she rewrote them.

And then there’s the myth that only kids read YA. The data says otherwise. Adults are the biggest buyers of YA books—not because they’re stuck in adolescence, but because these stories cut straight to the heart of identity, fear, and change. Same with The Alchemist, a novel often labeled self-help, but written as a fable with spiritual undertones. Also known as spiritual allegory, it doesn’t give you steps—it gives you a feeling. People call it a guide, but it’s not a manual. It’s a mirror. And that’s why it sticks.

Myths thrive when we don’t look closer. They stick because they’re simple. But books? Books are messy, human, and full of surprises. The truth about Dune isn’t whether it’s fantasy or sci-fi—it’s that it turns belief into power. The truth about phonics isn’t whether it’s still taught—it’s whether it’s taught well. The truth about aging isn’t when it starts—it’s that you can slow it down with habits, not pills.

Below, you’ll find real answers to the myths you’ve been told. No fluff. No filler. Just clear breakdowns of what’s real, what’s not, and why it matters to the way you read, choose books, and understand the stories that stick with you.