Libreon Content Guide (LCG)

To address the limitations and confusion around conventional book categories like "Young-Adult" or "Adult," as well as the ever-sprawling disarray of genres, Libreon offers open-source, modern, and user-friendly content rating and guide systems. We aim to provide clear and objective information about a book's content, helping readers make informed decisions by removing the confusion plaguing current book categorization methods.

The Libreon Content Guide (LCG) strives to provide clarity and consistency in categorizing books by supporting multiple "Feature Labels" to describe the contents rather than trying to find one single correct category. Our goal is to present a straightforward guide for readers, enhancing their understanding of a book's thematic elements beyond that already covered by the Rating. This system is supplementary to the Libreon Content Rating (LCR) system, and does not repeat every element of a rating (although there is a small amount of overlap).

Libreon Content Guide (LCG) is an open-source system for categorizing book content; see the section "Copyright and License" below for more details.

The guide system simply applies Feature Labels as they apply to the work. To help with the array of possible Feature Labels, they are organized into categories and sub-categories:

Book Format	The structure of the work, shaping its presentation and purpose (Note: while the LCG supports a variety of book formats, the Libreon site is currently focused on Fiction works).
Eras of Technology & Society	Distinct historical periods for both technology and society, to help place the timeframe for the work.
Story Style	A variety of common writing styles.
Adventure	Packed with excitement, peril, and daring feats, often involving exploration, quests, and overcoming obstacles to achieve a significant goal.
Fantasy	Explores fantastical worlds with magic and populated by mythical creatures.
Fright	Stories provoking fear and intense emotions, delving into horror, suspense, or the macabre.
Meta	Metaphysical, metaphilosophical, and spiritual or religious themes.
Mystery	Involves a central puzzle or crime that characters, often detectives or investigators, work to solve, unraveling clues and revealing the identity of the perpetrator.
Relationships	Exploring the facets of human connection, love, and romance.
Science	Delve into the wonders of the natural world, speculative technologies, or the impact of scientific discoveries on society.
Sexuality	Explores various aspects of human sexuality, relationships, and intimacy, offering nuanced portrayals of diverse experiences and perspectives.
Society	Examines the conflicts, challenges, and complexities of human societies.

In addition to these Feature Labels, the system also supports bespoke tags created by our users and not organized, but which are useful to allow users to customize beyond what they can find with the Feature Labels.

Book Format

The structure of the work, shaping its presentation and purpose (Note: while the LCG supports a variety of book formats, the Libreon site is currently focused on Fiction works). They are further organized into sub-categories:

Anthology/Collection	Collections of works by different authors, often compiled around a common theme, genre, or time period.
Biography/Memoir	Narrations providing insights into the lives of real people, either told about or as a first-person account.
Picture Book	Designed for young readers, these works feature a combination of simple text and vibrant illustrations to tell a story.
Essay	Written work presenting a focused and coherent argument or exploration of a particular topic.
Fiction	Narrative works that are imagined, not factual, across various genres and themes.
Illustrated	Illustrated books blending visual elements with text, such as Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga.
Poetry	A rhythmic literary form, exploring emotions and ideas through condensed, carefully crafted language.
Reference	Sources of information for quick consultation, offering facts, data, and explanations on a wide range of topics.
Research	Academic or research books present scholarly works that contribute to a specific field of study.
Self–Help/Guide	Advice, strategies, and insights to help readers improve specific aspects of their lives.
Travelogue	Narratives documenting a person's travels, blending personal observations with historical and cultural context.

Eras of Technology & Society

Distinct historical periods for both technology and society, to help place the timeframe for the work. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Primitive	Depicts scattered tribal societies utilizing primitive stone tools.
Antiquity	Marked by the growth of cities, kingdoms, empires, advanced bureaucracies, and rigid social hierarchies featuring noble warriors like knights and samurai. It also includes elements such as castles, feudalism, and dynasties.
Conquest	Defined by the growth of cities, kingdoms, empires, advanced bureaucracies, and rigid social hierarchies featuring noble warriors like knights and samurai. It also includes elements such as castles, feudalism, and dynasties.
Enlightenment	Cultural and intellectual revival of art, science, and exploration, embracing reason, skepticism of traditional authority, and featuring steam-powered machinery, the Printing Press, Gunpowder, and Victorian aesthetics in alternative historical settings.
Industrial	Defined by the rise of factories, urbanization, and the impact of early machines powered by combustion engines, this era also features economic growth and social reform, such as in the early 1900s.
Atomic	Features the golden age of nuclear technology and scientific advancements, juxtaposed with Cold War tensions.
Digital	Defined by the transformational impact of computer technology and the information age.
Astro	Highlights the exploration and colonization of outer space, featuring advanced space travel, extraterrestrial encounters, and futuristic technologies.
Cosmic	Covering the grand scale and advanced nature of civilizations that have moved beyond mere space exploration into a multi-planetary or interstellar existence.

Story Style

A variety of common writing styles. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Genre	(Setting Driven) Relies heavily on the setting and genre conventions to drive the narrative, focusing on world-building and exploring specific thematic elements associated with a particular genre.
Literary	(Character Driven) Prioritizes in-depth character exploration and development, delving into the complexities of individuals' thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
Noir	Embraces a dark and moody atmosphere, often featuring morally ambiguous characters, crime, and a sense of mystery or intrigue.
Parallel	Features multiple storylines running concurrently, often converging or intersecting at key points in the narrative.
Prep	Centers around the privileged and often elite social circles, exploring the experiences and challenges of characters in exclusive environments.
Punk	Incorporates rebellious and anti-establishment themes, often set in dystopian or alternative worlds, focusing on counterculture and social critique.
Quest	Centers around a protagonist's journey, physical or metaphorical, often involving challenges, self-discovery, and personal transformation.
Satire	Utilizes humor, irony, or ridicule to critique or mock societal conventions, often aimed at social or political commentary.
Slice of Life	Focuses on capturing ordinary, everyday moments and experiences, offering a realistic and intimate portrayal of characters' lives.

Adventure

Packed with excitement, peril, and daring feats, often involving exploration, quests, and overcoming obstacles to achieve a significant goal. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Treasure	Thrilling journeys involving unearthing the hidden by following a series of enigmatic clues.
Espionage	Covert operations, spies, and political intrigue.
Space Travel	Interstellar travel and extraterrestrial exploration.
Time Travel	Traversing different points in time and exploring the consequences of altering history or navigating parallel timelines.

Fantasy

Explores fantastical worlds with magic and populated by mythical creatures. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Dragons	Centers around the presence of dragons.
Magic	Involves using supernatural forces, spells, and mystical abilities.
Mythical	Fantastical worlds populated by mythical creatures, drawing on folklore, legends, and ancient stories (includes Faeries and Natures Spirits).

Fright

Stories provoking fear and intense emotions, delving into horror, suspense, or the macabre. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Eldritch	Settings that evoke cosmic horror, eldritch landscapes, and otherworldly entities beyond human comprehension, explored initially by H.P. Lovecraft.
Haunting	Involves lingering supernatural entities tied to unresolved traumas, malevolent spirits, or ghostly manifestations in specific locations.
Monsters	From traditional creatures like vampires and zombies to imaginative beings, monster horror emphasizes the terror these creatures induce, exploring themes of survival, fear, and the unknown.
Surreal	Bizarre settings, non-traditional narratives, and a sense of the uncanny, emphasizing the sense of the uncanny.
Suspense	This creates a sense of anticipation and unease, often by withholding information or building tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Terror	Intensifies fear through a prolonged sense of impending doom or dread, often involving psychological horror and the anticipation of terrifying events.

Mystery

Involves a central puzzle or crime that characters, often detectives or investigators, work to solve, unraveling clues and revealing the identity of the perpetrator. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Forensic	Centers around forensic investigations, applying scientific methods to solve crimes, often featuring meticulous examinations of evidence and crime scenes.
Mystery	Piecing together clues of a crime that has already happened.
Procedural	Focuses on the detailed and systematic processes of a particular field, such as legal proceedings, police investigations, or scientific research, providing an in-depth look at professional practices.
Thriller	Focused on suspense, dread, and the fear of a crime that may happen in the future.
True Crime	Dramatized versions of real crimes.

Relationships

Exploring the facets of human connection, love, and romance. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Amour	Broadly encompasses the theme of love, often highlighting deep emotional connections and romantic entanglements.
Arranged	Examines relationships initiated or guided by external forces, such as family or societal expectations, rather than personal choice.
Courtship	Focuses on the process of wooing and romantic pursuit, exploring the development of a relationship before commitment.
Interracial	Explores relationships between individuals from different racial or cultural backgrounds, highlighting the challenges and richness of diversity.
LongTerm	Centers on characters in established relationships, exploring the dynamics of long-term partnerships, marriage, and the challenges mature couples face.
Unrequited	Focuses on one-sided romantic feelings, exploring love that is not reciprocated.

Science

Delve into the wonders of the natural world, speculative technologies, or the impact of scientific discoveries on society. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Vs Man	Explores the relationship of socieity, people, technology, and human nature.
Medical	Revolves around the challenges of medical care, often exploring ethical dilemmas, medical advancements, and the impact of medicine on individuals and society.
Hard Science	Emphasis on realistic and plausible scientific concepts, as understood or theorized today.

Sexuality

Explores various aspects of human sexuality, relationships, and intimacy, offering nuanced portrayals of diverse experiences and perspectives. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Asexual	Exploring interpersonal connections where there is little to no sexual or romantic desire toward the other.
Bisexual	Attraction toward the same gender and other genders or toward anyone regardless of their gender.
Pansexual	Gender is not a factor in sexual or romantic attraction.
Erotic	Involves explicit and sensual depictions of sexual relationships, exploring passion and desire in detail.
Gender Identity	Focuses on characters navigating relationships while exploring or questioning their gender identity.
Heterosexual	Portrays romantic and sexual relationships between individuals of opposite genders.
Homosexual	Explores romantic and sexual relationships between individuals of the same gender.
Polyamorous	Explores relationships involving more than two individuals, with a focus on consensual non-monogamy.
Seduction	Emphasizes the art of enticing or captivating someone, with a focus on the buildup to sexual encounters.

Society

Examines the conflicts, challenges, and complexities of human societies. They are further organized into sub-categories:

Military	Centered around military conflicts, strategies, and the experiences of soldiers.
Apocalyptic	Revolves around catastrophic events that have or will threaten humanity's existence, whether natural or man-made.
Epic	Grand narratives, often spanning vast time periods, world-impacting events, and intricate political machinations, which are set in richly detailed environments where the echoes of past ages resonate prominently.
Dystopian	Set in bleak and oppressive futures marked by societal breakdowns and oppressive governments, often exploring the consequences of unchecked technology or political power.

Copyright and License

LCR and LCG are open-source rating systems. Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person or entity to use the Libreon Content Rating system without restriction, in perpetuity, irrevocably, subject to the following conditions:

"Trade Dress" and the requirements for presentation and look and feel are preserved.
Definitions of Ratings, Qualifiers, and Feature Labels remain unaltered.

USE OF LCR IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LCR OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE LCR.

Religion	Explores religious themes and beliefs, often delving into questions of faith, morality, and the divine.
Spirituality	Explores spiritual and metaphysical themes separate from religion, delving into questions of existence, the nature of the soul, and the search for meaning beyond the material world.
Paranormal	Involves supernatural elements beyond the ordinary, such as ghosts, psychic abilities, supernatural occurrences, and the unexplained.
Super Powers	Features characters with extraordinary abilities, ranging from superhuman strength to telekinesis, often exploring the moral and ethical dilemmas of possessing such powers.