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BOOK TALK

Ever heard of "Book Talk"? No, not "BookTok" (though that's cool too!). Book Talk is where readers gather, whether online or in person, to talk about their favorite reads. Think deep dives into characters and themes, passionate debates about plot twists, and endless recommendations for your next literary obsession. It's all about connecting with fellow booklovers and sharing the love of reading.

And then there's BookTok, the corner of TikTok where book lovers unite! These creators whip up seriously engaging content – think aesthetic book recommendations, hilarious skits about reading struggles, and tear-jerking reactions to emotional scenes. It's a whole vibe, and if you haven't checked it out yet, you're missing out!

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Okay, so you know how book bloggers and reviewers on social media always seem to be speaking in code? They've got a whole bunch of abbreviations and slang for everything book-related. It's like their own little secret language, and you'll see it all over the place, from Goodreads to TikTok to Instagram.

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Instead of typing out the whole title of "A Court of Thorns and Roses," they'll just say "ACOTAR." And if they're gushing about the "MMC," they mean the main male character (obviously!). Then there's "TBR" for that never-ending list of books you swear you'll get to someday, "HEA" for when everyone lives happily ever after (yay!), and even "blogosphere" for the online world of bookish peeps. Oh, and don't forget genre shortcuts like "YA" for young adult, and publishing terms like "OOP" for when a book is harder to find than a unicorn riding a dragon.

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Like many new entering the world of online book talk- you may be lost with the lingo. Hopefully this list below will help you along your journey.

Below are common literary terms/abbreviations/ internet slang terms used often online in book discussions. 

COMMON READER ABBREVIATIONS
Text
FMC /MFC/
Female main character/Main female character
PB –
Paper back
NSFW
Not safe for work
MMC
Main Male Character
MC –
Main Character
DUB-con – Dubious Consent:
In fiction, when consent to sexual activity is unclear, questionable, or potentially coerced.
CNC – Consensual non-consent:
Fictional depiction of power dynamics where one character initially resists, but ultimately consents to, sexual activity.
Trigger Warning/Content Warning:
A statement alerting readers to potentially disturbing themes or topics in a book (e.g., violence, abuse).
Trope:
A common or overused theme, device, or character type in literature (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, the chosen one).
Spoiler:
Information that reveals key plot points and can ruin a book's surprises.
OTP (One True Pairing):
The reader's favorite romantic pairing within a book or series.
HEA (Happily Ever After):
The romantic couple's satisfying ending, usually involving love, commitment, and a hopeful future.
Genre:
Category of literature with shared traits (e.g., fantasy, romance).
Cliffhanger:
An ending to a chapter or book that leaves the reader in suspense, often with a dramatic or unresolved situation.
Antihero:
A flawed or morally ambiguous protagonist.
COMMON BOOK CHARACTER/STORY ABBREVIATIONS or DEFINITIONS
TBB (To be bought)
A list of books someone plans to buy.
DNF (Did Not Finish):
When someone stops. reading a book before finishing it
CR (Current Read):
Book someone is currently reading.
TBR (To Be Read):
A list of books someone plans to read.
COMMON READER ABBREVIATIONS
Text
FMC /MFC/
Female main character/Main female character
PB –
Paper back
NSFW
Not safe for work
MMC
Main Male Character
MC –
Main Character
DUB-con – Dubious Consent:
In fiction, when consent to sexual activity is unclear, questionable, or potentially coerced.
CNC – Consensual non-consent:
Fictional depiction of power dynamics where one character initially resists, but ultimately consents to, sexual activity.
Trigger Warning/Content Warning:
A statement alerting readers to potentially disturbing themes or topics in a book (e.g., violence, abuse).
Trope:
A common or overused theme, device, or character type in literature (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, the chosen one).
Spoiler:
Information that reveals key plot points and can ruin a book's surprises.
OTP (One True Pairing):
The reader's favorite romantic pairing within a book or series.
HEA (Happily Ever After):
The romantic couple's satisfying ending, usually involving love, commitment, and a hopeful future.
Genre:
Category of literature with shared traits (e.g., fantasy, romance).
Cliffhanger:
An ending to a chapter or book that leaves the reader in suspense, often with a dramatic or unresolved situation.
Antihero:
A flawed or morally ambiguous protagonist.
COMMON BOOK CHARACTER/STORY ABBREVIATIONS or DEFINITIONS
TBB (To be bought)
A list of books someone plans to buy.
DNF (Did Not Finish):
When someone stops. reading a book before finishing it
CR (Current Read):
Book someone is currently reading.
TBR (To Be Read):
A list of books someone plans to read.
General Literary Terms:
Text
Prologue:
A section or chapter at the beginning of a book that provides context.
Epilogue:
A section or chapter at the end of a book that provides closure.
Arc:
Character Arc, or plot arc. the way a character or plot changes over the course of a story.
Resolution:
The ending of a story where conflicts are resolved.
Cliffhanger:
An ending that leaves the reader in suspense.
Pacing:
The speed at which a story unfolds.
World-building:
The process of creating a fictional world.
Tropes:
Recurring themes or literary devices.
Symbolism:
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
POV (Point of View):
The perspective from which a story is told.
Setting:
The time and place in which a story occurs.
Theme:
The underlying message or idea in a story.
Character:
A person or being in a narrative.
Plot:
The sequence of events in a story.
Acronyms for Authors
MEANING
SJM –
Sarah J Maas
JLA –
Jennifer L Armentrout
COHO –
Colleen Hoover
Acronyms for Books
Acronyms for Sarah J Maas’s books:
FBAA – From blood and ash
From blood and ash
ACOTAR –
A Court of Thorns and Roses
ACOMAF –
A Court of Mist and Fury
ACOWAR –
A Court of Wings and Ruin
ACOFAS –
A Court of Frost and Starlight
ACOSF –
A Court of Silver Flames
Throne of Glass series:
TOG –
Throne of Glass
COM –
Crown of Midnight
QOS –
Queen of Shadows
HOF –
Heir of Fire
EOS –
Empire of Storms
TOD –
Tower of Dawn
KOA –
Kingdom of Ash
AUTHOR/FAN BOOK TALK
Blurb:
Short promotional summary found on the back cover or online
Beta Reader:
Someone who reads a manuscript before it's published and provides feedback to the author.
ARC (Advance Reader Copy):
Pre-publication copy for reviewers, subject to change.
Work In Progress (WIP) :
A manuscript or book project that is currently being written or revised, and is not yet complete or ready for publication.
Book Haul:
Social media post showcasing a large book purchase, often with recommendations.
Book Blogging:
Writing book reviews and discussions on a dedicated blog.
Wrap Up:
"Monthly wrap-ups": Bookstagrammers' summaries of books read each month.
CAWPILE:
Bookfluencer rating system covering Characters, Atmosphere, Writing, Plot, Intrigue, Logic, Enjoyment.
Mood reader:
Reads whatever genre fits their current mood.
Retcon (Retroactive Continuity):
When established facts are changed in a later work.
Stanning:
To be an enthusiastic fan of something.
Review To Come (RTC):
Rating given, review coming later.
Fanfic (Fan Fiction):
Fiction written by fans of a particular work.
Canon:
What is considered to be officially part of the story.
Book hangover:
The emotional aftermath of finishing a particularly impactful book.
Feels:
Strong emotional reactions to a book.
Shelfie:
Is a bookshelf photo, or a picture with books, shared online to display a book collection.
Spoilers:
Information that reveals key plot points.
Booktube:
The book-focused community on Youtube.
Booktok:
The book-focused community on TikTok.
Bookstagram:
The book-focused community on Instagram.
Headcanon:
A personal interpretation or belief about a fictional world or character. (Is a term widely used in online fan discussions.)
Book boyfriend/girlfriend:
A fictional character that someone finds attractive.
DNF (Did Not Finish):
When someone stops reading a book before finishing it.
TBR (To Be Read):
A list of books someone plans to read.
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