The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
Wrist bands were given to students before entering the breakfast which allowed them to participate in the breakfast games.
Prom Breakfast
Caption: The show poster for “Clue” can be seen hanging around the school and was designed by junior Spencer Mann. The students in “Clue” have taken the lead in this play, even in the advertising, from making posters to sharing the information with their classmates and friends. “You can look at our handy dandy poster,” Ruby Howland said.
“Clue”
Author Nic Stone delivering her keynote speech
LitCon Field Trip
Free books from Litcon
Litcon 2025
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume hold Punxsutawney Phil during the 138th celebration.
Six More Weeks of Winter
There are tons of clubs available at SPHS for students to get involved in. Here are just a few to check out.
Cool Clubs
Frankie (left) and Cooper (right) in their home.
New Pets
Leadership Roles
Leadership Roles
Juicy Couture and other 2000's Fashions
Juicy Couture and other 2000’s Fashions
Anne Arundel County Cold Cases
Anne Arundel County Cold Cases
NBA logo
Best NBA Team Right Now?
Mac McClung dunking over a Kia
The 74th NBA All Star Game 2025
A graphic of the team's 24-25 season. They went 14-9 with over 1,000 points.
Boys Varsity Basketball
Senior Adam Clark playing the 2024 spring baseball season, representing Severna Park Falcons at the plate swinging with power.
Batter Up
An artistic interpretation of how watching and participating in sports creates a sense of eustress. This feeling is the scientific reason why people are so infatuated with sports and sports entertainment.
Go Team
There are tons of clubs available at SPHS for students to get involved in. Here are just a few to check out.
Cool Clubs
Image created by Esther Bell
Deciding which animal is best for you
Use of mobile phone in trendy neon lights. Creative vivid color of ultraviolet red and blue. Hands of Teen Girl scrolling up photos Close-up at dark neon room. App for sale in shop. Social media. 4K
Distracting ourselves to death
Finally, Commanders
Finally, Commanders
Juicy Couture and other 2000's Fashions
Juicy Couture and other 2000’s Fashions
Neuro-Sama's VTuber model
Will AI take over the entertainment industry?
The 67th Annual Grammys took place on Feb. 4 in Los Angeles.
The 67th Grammy Awards 2025
The top 5 trendline of artists people could have listened to this year as an example of what it looks like for it's users.
Why Everyone Loves Spotify Wrapped
Kendrick Lamar’s most recent song in Drake and Lamar’s rap battle is “Not Like Us”, the cover shows a satellite view of Drake’s mansion with red icons, implying that Drake’s home is filled with pedophiles and registered sex offenders. The picture corresponds with the song because Lamar is accusing Drake of being a pedophile by saying lines such as, “Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A-Minor”, and “certified loverboy, certified pedophiles”.
Where did the Beef Come from?
Embers underclassmen editors have tabulated the votes and have announced the 2024 senior class superlative winners.
Senior Superlative Winners 2024
Most popular books/genres
Most popular books/genres
Image created by Esther Bell
Deciding which animal is best for you
Do You Have What it Takes to Be Pope?
Do You Have What it Takes to Be Pope?
College students can get so many discounts ranging from clothing to food all using a valid student ID or email. It is important that students know about these discounts, and how to use them to their advantage. Start searching for discounts as a way to relieve any stress that comes with going to college.
Make College Easy
Awaiting Christmas morning with excitement and love, a cozy corner filled with holiday cheer!
The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
Paradox Interactive’s logo
The best worst game developer
Students Ava Scott, Erin Hussey, Bella Van Gieson, Maria Bragg and Emerson Scott, pose for a picture during Best Buddies themed football game. The football game was at home against Glen Burnie, although the falcons lost 47-18, the fun of the theme and the fun of the game created a great atmosphere.
Best Buddies
Embers underclassmen editors have tabulated the votes and have announced the 2024 senior class superlative winners.
Senior Superlative Winners 2024
Swiftism Podcast hosted with Abigail Chase
Swiftism Podcast hosted with Abigail Chase
Valentine's Day Special w/ Dr. Love
Valentine’s Day Special w/ Dr. Love
Jacob Williams
Jacob Williams
Mrs. Koehler
Mrs. Koehler
Theo Skopp
Theo Skopp
Ms. Sexton
Ms. Sexton
Timmy Sullivan
Timmy Sullivan
Republican candidate Trump and Democratic candidate Harris shaking hands at the start of the debate.
Who won the Presidential Debate?
Race to 270
Race to 270
The United States Capitol Building on Thursday, Jun. 11. The Capitol Building is home to the legislative branch of the United States Government, the branch in which laws are made and citizens are affected.
The United States Today
Around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, Severna Park High School senior Shubh Agnihotri and Congressional candidate John Morse stand near the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in downtown Annapolis as they regroup after knocking on 44 doors together. “You can always be an asset to your community if you work hard enough to do it, so I really encourage you to look around about the stuff you really care about,” Agnihotri said. Agnihotri coordinated the Young Democrats meeting which John Morse attended to inform youth voters about his policies and the importance of voting/registering to vote.
Hit the Polls, Young Voters
The print issue of the Talon.
August Issue
May Print Issue
May Print Issue
April Print
April Print
February Print Issue
February Print Issue
December Print
December Print
The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
Categories:

Most popular books/genres

The most popular genre among teens remains romance, followed closely by fantasy and mystery.
Brielle Francia, Staff
May 20, 2025
Most popular books/genres

Whether you’re a fantasy fanatic, a hopeless romantic, or a true crime junkie, there’s a genre for every reader. With reading trends shifting post-pandemic and BookTok continuing to dominate teen culture, we took a look at the most popular book genres among teens and adults in 2025 – plus the best books to start with if you’re looking to dive in.

Young Adult Romance

Popularity: According to a 2025 survey by Pew Research, 56% of readers ages 13-18 list romance as their favorite genre.

Why it’s trending: TikTok influencers and fan edits are fueling interest in emotionally charged love stories, especially enemies-to-lovers and slow burns.

Recommended Reads:

  • “Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter
  • “If He Had Been With Me” by Laura Nowlin
  • “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han

Fantasy

Popularity: 48% of readers 18-29 read at least one fantasy novel in the past year, with series dominating the charts. 

Why it’s trending: Fantasy offers escape from real-life stress, and fandoms for series like Throne of Glass or Fourth Wing have exploded online.

Recommended Reads:

  • “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
  • “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo
  • “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros

Mystery & Thriller

Popularity: 41% of American readers cited thrillers and mysteries as their favorite genre in a 2025 Goodreads study.

Why it’s trending: Short chapters, fast pacing, and plot twists make these books addictive – perfect for busy students

Recommended Reads:

  • “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
  • “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
  • “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Science Fiction and Dystopian

Popularity: Interest spiked again in early 2025, especially among middle and high school students; 31% cited it as their go-to genre.

Why it’s trending: Post-apocalyptic and AI-based stories are mirroring current tech concerns and climate anxieties.

Recommended Reads:

  • “Scythe” by Neal Shusterman
  • “Legend” by Marie Lu
  • “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Nonfiction (Memoir, True Crime, Self-Help)

Popularity: While less dominant among teens, 34% of adult readers say nonfiction is their top genre, and many teens are catching on.

Why it’s trending: Real stories about resilience, crime, and mental health are resonating more in a post-COVID world. 

Recommended Reads:

  • “Educated” by Tara Westover
  • “The 57 Bus” by Daska Slater
  • “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy

The most popular genre among teens remains romance, followed closely by fantasy and mystery.

View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in Lifestyle
Image created by Esther Bell
Deciding which animal is best for you
Do You Have What it Takes to Be Pope?
Do You Have What it Takes to Be Pope?
College students can get so many discounts ranging from clothing to food all using a valid student ID or email. It is important that students know about these discounts, and how to use them to their advantage. Start searching for discounts as a way to relieve any stress that comes with going to college.
Make College Easy
Awaiting Christmas morning with excitement and love, a cozy corner filled with holiday cheer!
The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
Junior Rionnah O’conner celebrates the holidays with family and fun. Dressing in matching Christmas pajamas and displaying a beautifully full and decorated Christmas tree, getting into the holiday spirit surrounded by loved ones.
Holiday Traditions
The SPHS College and Career Center where students can meet with regional admissions officers, get help on college essays, and receive advice on the application process as a whole.
A Stressful Senior Year
More in Opinions
Use of mobile phone in trendy neon lights. Creative vivid color of ultraviolet red and blue. Hands of Teen Girl scrolling up photos Close-up at dark neon room. App for sale in shop. Social media. 4K
Distracting ourselves to death
Finally, Commanders
Finally, Commanders
Juicy Couture and other 2000's Fashions
Juicy Couture and other 2000's Fashions
Neuro-Sama's VTuber model
Will AI take over the entertainment industry?
The cover of Weezer’s first and most popular album, the Blue Album.
Weezer, the most unfortunate band
The top 5 trendline of artists people could have listened to this year as an example of what it looks like for it's users.
Why Everyone Loves Spotify Wrapped
More in Showcase
There are tons of clubs available at SPHS for students to get involved in. Here are just a few to check out.
Cool Clubs
NBA logo
Best NBA Team Right Now?
Wrist bands were given to students before entering the breakfast which allowed them to participate in the breakfast games.
Prom Breakfast
Frankie (left) and Cooper (right) in their home.
New Pets
Leadership Roles
Leadership Roles
Charlotte North, one of Boston Guard’s attack players winds up for a shot against the New York Charging goalie during the first ever WLL Championship Series. The Boston Guard finished the game with the final score of 22 to 17, making them the first WLL champions and etching their names into the history of women’s lacrosse. 
The creation of the WLL 
About the Contributor
Brielle Francia
Brielle Francia, Staff Writer
Brielle Francia is a freshman at SPHA who is a new member of the Talon. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, riding her horse, playing with her puppy, hiking, and traveling. She trains horses and cares for her family’s seven chickens.