Are Adventure Stories Dead? The Genre That Refuses to Die

Is the classic adventure story dead, or has it simply gotten a serious makeover? 

From treasure hunts and lost worlds to quests, monsters and impossible missions, adventure has always been one of the biggest reading pleasures around. But what happens when the genre collides with modern sci fi, fantasy and the wildest corners of contemporary storytelling? 

Host Joe Skelley is joined by author John Scalzi to dig into why adventure books still have such a grip on readers, how the genre has transformed over time and why stories built around discovery, danger and a good old fashioned “let’s see what happens” continue to thrive. 

We’re talking classic adventure, modern adventure books, science fiction, fantasy, quests, escapism and the enduring appeal of getting swept up in a story that refuses to sit still. 

So grab your metaphorical map, pack some snacks and join us in the Book Lounge. Adventure isn’t dead. It just got weird. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Titles mentioned in this episode: 

Starman Jones – Robert A. Heinlein 

Hatchet – Gary Paulsen 

Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir 

Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman 

A Winkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle