“Cross-genre fiction” means different things to different readers. Generally, however, hybrid, genre blends, or cross-genre fiction balances between two genres, and it depends on the reader which aspect holds the most appeal. For libraries that interfile all genres into one section, classification questions do not pose a challenge. But for those who break their collection into many genres, it is more of a question. Is this book science fiction or mystery? Should this one be shelved in horror or fantasy?

There’s a challenge in deciding where these books reside, but there’s also opportunity. They offer a gateway to readers wishing to explore different genres. A fantasy reader who wants to give romance a try might like a swoony blend of the two.

Here are a range of blends to consider and share with patrons. Starred () titles are essential for most collections.

Crane, Marisa. I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself. Catapult. Jan. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9781646221295. $27. FICTION/SCIENCE FICTION

Hart, Emilia. Weyward. St. Martin’s. Mar. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9781250280800. $27.99. HISTORICAL FICTION/FANTASY

Holborn, Stark. Hel’s Eight. Titan. (Ten Low, Bk. 2). Mar. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9781803362298. pap. $16.95. SCIENCE FICTION/WESTERN

Jackson, M. The Ice Sings Back. Green Writers. Jan. 2023. 324p. ISBN 9781649372116. $24.95. THRILLER/CLI-FI

Keaton, David James. Head Cleaner. Polis. Jan. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9781951709945. pap. $18.95. HORROR/SCIENCE FICTION

Kitasei, Yume. The Deep Sky. Flatiron. Jul. 2023. 416p. ISBN 9781250875334. $29.99. SCIENCE FICTION/THRILLER

Langbein, Julia. American Mermaid. Doubleday. Mar. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9780385549677. $28. FICTION/FANTASY

Medina, Nick. Sisters of the Lost Nation. Berkley. Apr. 2023. 352p. ISBN 9780593546857. $27. THRILLER/HORROR

Mullen, Thomas. Blind Spots. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Apr. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9781250842749. $27.99. SCIENCE FICTION/THRILLER

Pochoda, Ivy. Sing Her Down. MCD. May 2023. 288p. ISBN 9780374608484. $28. THRILLER/WESTERN

Santos, Yaffa S. A Touch of Moonlight. Harper. Oct. 2022. 304p. ISBN 9780063159037. pap. $17. FANTASY/ROMANCE

Young, Adrienne. Spells for Forgetting. Delacorte. Sept. 2022. 368p. ISBN 9780593358511. $28. ROMANCE/FANTASY

Young, Louisa. Twelve Months and a Day. Putnam. Jan. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9780593542651. pap. $17. ROMANCE/GHOST