49+ Bookish Acronyms + Phrases You Need to Know

Ok, what’s with all the acronyms?! If you’re new to the bookish community, you might find yourself confused by all the acronyms and phrases being thrown around in all of the posts, reels, and tiktoks. I know I was. Even as a lifelong reader, I had no clue what some of them were. TOG? DNF? Spice? But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. And if you’re a seasoned pro, have a look and make sure I didn’t forget any.

Below you’ll find a helpful list of 49 of the most common Bookish acronyms and phrases to get you started and in the know. You’ll be saying things like, “I DNF’d that one, but added HOSAB to my TBR–I totally ship Bryce and Hunt,” before you know it. 

It’s never fun to feel left out–especially when we’re all nerds and have felt ostracized at some point in our lives. I hope this helps you feel welcomed to the community!

ARC/eARC

Advanced Readers Copy. A book received prior to its’ publishing date for the purposes of reviewing. It may also be an uncorrected proof. 

Backlist

The entire catalog of an Author; all of an author’s books. 

BIPOC

Black, Indigenous, Person of Color

Book haul

Books that you purchase from a trip to the bookstore or books you check out from the library. 

Canon

When something is accepted as officially part of the story by its fan base and usually confirmed by the author. As opposed to “head canon”, which is when you have an unconfirmed theory of what you think happened or will happen in a story. 

CR 

Currently Reading

CW/TW

Content Warning/Trigger Warning

DNF

Did not finish, meaning you decided the book wasn’t for you and you stopped reading it.

DRC

Digital Review Copy

Fanfic

Fan Fiction

FTB

Fade to Black. When sexy time is not on the page. 

Galley 

Another word for an ARC/eARC.

GR

Goodreads, a review and book discovery site.

HEA

Happily Ever After

HFN

HappY For Now

Indie 

A self-published author, or a book that was not traditionally published. An independent author.

JLA

Referring to author, Jennifer L. Armentrout

LFL

Little Free Library

KU 

Kindle Unlimited, an e-Book service from Amazon

MC 

Main Character

MG 

Middle Grade

Mood reader

Meaning people who don’t stick to a specific list of books, genre, or order. They pick their next read based on how they’re feeling in the moment. 

NA 

New Adult

NRN

Not right now. Similar to a DNF, but you intend to come back to this book at a later time. 

OOP

Out of Print

OTP 

One true pairing. Essentially, another way to say your “ship” (see below), but is often used in the context of “mates”. 

Owned Voices

When the author is part of the same marginalized group as the main character in their book. 

POV

Point of View. Refers to the perspective we get to see of characters in a given book. You might also hear, “Multi-POV” when someone describes a book, and it simply means the author has written from more than one character’s perspective. 

RTC 

Review to Come. Often used if you’ve just finished a book and plan to review it, but haven’t had a chance to put together all your thoughts. 

SFF 

Sci-fi + Fantasy. Referring to the two genres together.

Ship (not the kind in the sea)

Two characters in a story that fans would like to see be together romantically.

SJM

Referring to author, Sarah J Maas

Spice/Spicy (not the stuff from Dune)

When sexy time is on page in a book. As in, “Does this book have spice?” Often denoted by chili peppers. 

Storygraph

Storygraph app. A competitor to Goodreads, with more stats, and half-star ratings.

TBR

To be read. One of the most common acronyms you’ll see and hear on Booktok and Bookstagram. It’s referring to a list of books you intend to read. Sometimes people will also refer to their “physical TBR”, which are the books they own and haven’t read yet. Some people also create monthly TBRs. 

Trope

A commonly occurring characteristic or plot device in a specific genre. Examples: enemies to lovers, mortal danger, arranged marriage, forced proximity, etc. 

WIP

Work in progress. A lot of writers use this a lot to refer to their unfinished books/manuscripts

YA 

Young Adult

There are some books that have reached that highly sought-after status of being so well known, they are commonly referred to by acronyms across Booktok, Booktube, and Bookstagram. Here they are: 

ACOTAR 

A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in a Fantasy Romance series by Sarah J Maas

ACOMAF 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

ACOWAR 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

ACOFAS  

A Court of Frost + Starlight by Sarah J Maas

ACOSF 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

Addie

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

ASITE

A Shadow in the Ember, the first book in a Romantasy series by Jennifer L Armentrout.

CC/CC2 

Crescent City + Crescent City 2, also by Sarah J Maas, and her first adult Romantasy series.

FBAA

From Blood and Ash, the first book in a Romantasy series by Jennifer L Armentrout .

HOSAB  

House of Sky and Breath (which also happens to be Crescent City 2) by Sarah J Maas

HP

Harry Potter 

LOTR 

Lord of the Rings

SOA 

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, one of Booktok’s all time faves.

SOC

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

TOG

Throne of Glass, the first book in an eight book fantasy series by Sarah J Maas

KOA

Kingdom of Ash, the final book in an eight book fantasy series by Sarah J Maas

Did I miss one? Pop it in the comments below!