Bookish Terms My Mama Had to Google (and Maybe You Do Too)

So the other day, my mom was reading one of my blog posts — hi Ma 👋🏾 — and suddenly she gets this look. You know the look. Eyebrows pulled together. Mouth slightly open. A mix of confusion, curiosity, and “I don’t want to bother you, but…”

I pause what I’m doing and go, “Ma… what’s wrong?”

She points at my laptop screen and says,

“Um… what is H-E-A?”

I blink. “Happily ever after.”

She nods slowly like she’s downloading information from the cloud.“Okay… that makes sense.”

Five minutes later, she goes, “And what’s… BIPOC? I had to Google that last time.”

At this point I said to myself:“Self?”

And myself said, “Hmm?

”I said, “Everybody reading your blog does not live on BookTok. Break these terms DOWN.”

So that’s what we’re doing today, a simple, judgment-free guide to the bookish acronyms, phrases, and insider language that readers throw around like everybody is supposed to know what it means.

Welcome to Bookish Terminology 101.

Class is officially in session.

⭐ General Bookish Terms

You’ll See Everywhere

BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

An umbrella term used to describe people who are not white, with specific emphasis on Black and Indigenous communities because of their unique histories of systemic oppression.

TBR - To Be Read

Your reading wishlist. Your pile. Your mountain. Your personal Everest.

DNF - Did Not Finish

When the book wasn’t book-ing, and you quietly put it aside.

MC - Main Character

The person driving the story. Sometimes lovable, sometimes questionable.

POV - Point of View

Who is telling the story. Examples: first person, dual POV, multi-POV.

Novella

A short book (usually 100–200 pages) that delivers quick vibes.

Companion Novel

Not a sequel, but connected same world, different character focus.

Backlist

Everything an author has published before their newest book.

Trope

Recurring story themes readers obsess over:

• grumpy/sunshine

• second chance romance

• fake dating.

• found family

• small town secrets

ARC - Advance Reader Copy

A free early copy of a book sent to reviewers.

ALC - Advance Listener Copy

The audiobook version of an ARC.

NetGalley

A platform where reviewers request early copies of books.(And where we are humbled daily when we get denied.)

Interconnected (or Interconnected Standalone)

Books that are linked in the same universe but can usually be read on their own. Characters may overlap, events may be referenced, and Easter eggs are common.

You don’t have to read them in order to enjoy the story.

PR Box / PR Pack

A promotional package sent by publishers to influencers or reviewers.

KU - Kindle Unlimited

Amazon’s subscription service where you can read unlimited books for a monthly fee.

Anthology

A collection of short stories, often written by multiple authors, and usually centered around a shared theme, genre, or concept.

⭐ Romance Reader Terminology

HEA - Happily Ever After

The ending romance readers crave. We want the couple together, stable, and thriving.

HFN - Happy For Now

Soft ending. Sweet, hopeful, less tied up with a bow.

FMC - Female Main Character

MMC - Male Main Character

MM (male/male)/ FF (female/female)

Romances featuring same-gender couples.

Spice / Smut Level

How “open door” the book gets.

⭐ Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Genre Terminology

Worldbuilding

The rules, geography, politics, magic, and structure of the fictional world.

Magic System

How magic works in that world, and whether the author actually explains it.

High Fantasy / Low Fantasy

High = fully separate world

Low = magic exists in our world

Found Family

Characters forming deep, chosen-family bonds.

⭐ Book Community / Social Media Language

BookTok / Bookstagram / BookTube

The corners of TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube dedicated to books.

Buddy Read

Reading the same book at the same time with a friend or group.

Reading Slump

The dark period where nothing keeps your attention.

Book Haul

Showing off recent purchases with zero shame.

Mood Reader

Reads based on vibes and feelings, not a structured plan.

Annotating

Highlighting, tabbing, writing in the margins, and decorating pages.

And there you have it...a living, breathing glossary for keeping up with book talk, book culture, and book girl conversations.

Whether you’re new to reading, coming back after a long break, or just trying to figure out what your daughter is talking about on her blog (hi again, Ma 💛), this list should help clear things up for you.

You're welcome 😀

Did I miss one? Drop your favorite bookish term in the comments.