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16 Bookish Terms to Know as a Reader

  • Writer: Allison's Book World
    Allison's Book World
  • Jun 23
  • 3 min read

If you are new to reading, then chances are you might not know the “hidden” language of readers. Even if you are a reader, there is still a chance that you might not be up to date with the newest reading terminology.


Luckily, though, I am going to teach you 16 bookish terms that you should know in order to speak the language of a reader.

 

  1. FMC & MMC

 

Female Main Character & Male Main Character. They are the stars of the book, and you can’t help but root for them.


An image of Emma Carstairs, the FMC of The Dark Artifices series, by Cassandra Clare. Emma Carstairs is a FMC that I love.
An image of Emma Carstairs, the FMC of The Dark Artifices series, by Cassandra Clare. Emma Carstairs is a FMC that I love.

  1. TBR

 

To be read. This is a never-ending list of books that readers want to read.

These are some of the books that I have on my TBR, a lot of which are romances and upcoming releases.
These are some of the books that I have on my TBR, a lot of which are romances and upcoming releases.

  1. CR


    Current Read. To keep up with what I am currently reading, I would suggest following me on StoryGraph (a free booktracking site).

My current read is In a Jam by Kate Canterbary and I use StoryGraph to track all of the books I read.
My current read is In a Jam by Kate Canterbary and I use StoryGraph to track all of the books I read.

  1. TW/CW


Trigger Warning/Content Warning. This is a disclaimer that authors and reviewers add to indicate a book has sensitive topics that might be triggering for readers.

  1. DNF


Did-not-finish. Maybe the plot is boring or the MMC gave you the ick, but whatever the reason may be, you are not finishing that book.


  1. Reading Slump

A dreadful period of time in which you have no motivation to read.


 

  1. ARC

 

Advanced reader copies. ARCs are physical or electronic copies of books that publishers distribute to readers for review. ARCs can be attained through platforms like NetGalley or directly through the publisher or author.

This is the dashboard of NetGalley, where readers request ARCs and submit their reviews of them.
This is the dashboard of NetGalley, where readers request ARCs and submit their reviews of them.

  1. Tropes

 

Tropes are a common pattern or plotline found across many books. Think enemies-to-lovers, friends- to-lovers, and fake dating.


The People We Meet on Vacation, a book from Emily Henry that was also adapted to a movie, features tropes such as friends-to-lovers and second chance romance.

  1. Romantasy

A mix between romance and fantasy that allows romance readers to enjoy fantasy more.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a popular romantasy book that involves dragons and enemies-to-lovers.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a popular romantasy book that involves dragons and enemies-to-lovers.

  1. YA & NA

Young Adult & New Adult. YA targets people ages 12-18 and NA targets those 18-25 and generally has more mature content.

Iron Flame by Rebeca Yarros is an example of a NA romantasy book, meanwhile, Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a YA romance.
Iron Flame by Rebeca Yarros is an example of a NA romantasy book, meanwhile, Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood is a YA romance.

  1. Shipping


Shipping is when you want two characters to get together in a romantic relationship. The two characters that you want to be a couple are then your ship, and oftentimes readers come up with ship names that are a combo of the two characters’ names.


  1. OTP


One true pairing. Any alternative pairing would be unfathomable because this ship is your ride or die.

Although some people are team Gale, I will always be team Peeta because Katniss and Peeta are my OTP from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

  1.  Book Boyfriend

 

A MMC, usually the love interest in a romance, that you wish was real because he is your ideal man.


Garrett Graham, the MMC of The Deal by Elle Kennedy and Amazon Prime TV's adaption Off Campus, has always been a character that I have considered to be a book boyfriend.

14. Mood Reader

 

Mood readers are people that pick their books based on the mood that they are in rather than follow a plan.

 

  1.  A 6-star read

This is a book that you love so much or is so brilliant that it exceeds the 5-star rating scale.




  1.  Bookstagram/Booktube/Booktok

 

The bookish side of the internet, where some people have accounts dedicated to all things bookish. I have a bookstagram account that you should give a follow :)


 


After reading this, you should be able to speak a bit more of the bookish language.

 

If you want to continue to practice the bookish language and learn about all things bookish, I recommend subscribing to the blog, and staying tuned for more content.

 
 
 

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