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If you’ve started a new job, you’ve probably sat in a meeting where everyone throws around words and phrases, and everyone is in the loop … except you.
You probably asked your trainer or co-worker about getting a cheat sheet.
Been there, done that.
Well, reading has its own jargon too.
Maybe you were at a book club and heard someone say they’d gotten an ARC. Or you overheard someone at a bookstore talking about the release date for a sprayed-edge edition.
I’m here to provide you with the cheat sheet you didn’t know you needed.
Welcome to Reading Jargon 101.
Whether you’re new to the reading community or just keep coming across book terms you don’t quite understand, here are some of the most common pieces of book jargon and reading terminology you’re likely to encounter.
Basic Reading Terms
ARC = Advanced Reader Copy
This is an early copy of a book that publishers or authors provide to selected readers before the official release. ARCs can help generate early reviews and feedback and may also give publishers an opportunity to catch errors before publication.
Backlist
An author’s previously published books that are still available for readers to purchase or find.
DNF = Did Not Finish
When you start a book but decide not to finish it.
And yes, you’re allowed to DNF a book. You don’t have to finish every book you start!
DNF Guilt
The feeling that you should finish every book simply because you started it.
💡Still feel guilty about DNFing a book? I’ve got more thoughts on why it’s okay to stop reading a book you’re not enjoying.
Duology / Trilogy / Series
A duology is a set of two books.
A trilogy is a set of three books.
A series is a collection of books connected by characters, a story, a setting or other common element.
Full-Cast (or Multi-Cast) Narration
An audiobook performed by multiple voice actors, often with different actors portraying different characters. Some full-case audiobook may also have sound effects or music.
Standalone
A book that tells a complete story and isn’t part of a series
TBR = To Be Read
It can refer to a physical book stack of books you haven’t read yet, a list of books you want to read, or a collection of eBooks saved to your Kindle or other device.
💡If your TBR has gotten a little out of control, I have some thoughts on building and managing a TBR.
Romance & Fiction Terms
Book Boyfriend
A fictional male character you have a crush on.
Closed-door Romance
A romance where intimate scenes happen “behind closed doors” rather than being explicitly described.
Open-door Romance
A romance that includes explicitly described intimate scenes.
FMC/MMC
FMC stands for Female Main Character, and MMC stands for Male Main Character.
You may come across these abbreviations in book reviews.
Romantasy
A genre or subgenre that combines Romance + Fantasy.
Think magic, mythical creatures, kingdom … and a love story.
Trope
A recurring theme, plot device, character type, or storytelling element.
Examples: enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, found family, forced proximity, second chance romance.
Bookish Slang
Book Hangover
When you finish a book you absolutely loved and aren’t quite ready to move on to the next one.
You’re still thinking about the characters, the story, and what you just experienced – and every other book sounds substandard in comparison.
Buddy Read
When two or more people read a book at the same time so they can discuss it together.
Book Slump
When you keep picking up books but nothing is grabbing your attention, and you just can’t seem to find something you’re excited to read next.
Bookish FOMO
The fear that you’re missing out on a book everyone else is reading or talking about.
You know you already have 39 books on your TBR, but suddenly you need the one everyone is talking about.
Bookstagram / BookTok
Book-focused communities on Instagram and TikTok where readers share recommendations, reviews, reading challenges, and other bookish content.
Haul
A collection of books you’ve recently acquired from a bookstore, library trip or thrift store, book sale or somewhere else.
Book Collecting & Bookshelf Terms
Double Shelving
When you run out of room on your bookshelf and start stacking two rows of books on a single shelf, with one row placed directly in front of the other
Also known as: “I swear I have room for more books.”
💡 If you’ve reached the point where your bookshelves are running out of room, you’re not alone. I recently shared what I’m doing about my own bookshelf space problem – because apparently, I keep acquiring books faster than I can find places to put them!
Shelfie
A picture showing your bookshelves.
Sprayed Edges
Decorated edge pages that add a design, scene, color or artwork to the book.
Little Free Library
A small, often outdoor book-sharing box where people can take a book, leave a book, or both.
You’ll often find Little Free Libraries in neighborhoods, parks, and outside homes, making it easy to discover your next read or pass along one you’re finished with.
💡Want to find one near you or learn more about how they work? Check out my post about Little Free Libraries.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know some of the most common book jargon and bookish terms, you can confidently be in the loop at your next book club meeting, or at least understand the conversation you overhear in the bookstore.
And don’t worry if you didn’t know all of these. There seems to be an endless supply of reading terminology out there!
Which of these bookish terms was new to you? What did I forget to include?
Leave a comment and add your favorite book jargon to the list!
📣 Come hang out with me for daily bookish chats on Facebook or Instagram!
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