One great alternative is historical fiction. Books like 'Wolf Hall' take you back in time and give you a vivid picture of a different era, filled with political intrigue, complex characters, and rich historical details.
Mystery novels can be very engaging. Agatha Christie's works, such as 'Murder on the Orient Express', keep you on the edge of your seat with their clever plots, unexpected twists, and well - drawn characters. There's no need to look at tasteful sex stories when there are so many other great genres to explore.