BookTok & Bookstagram Acronyms Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Bookish Lingo
If you’ve ever scrolled through BookTok or Bookstagram and found yourself wondering if everyone is speaking in code, you’re not alone. These bookish corners of the internet have their own unique slang, and acronyms are a huge part of that. Whether you’re a newbie trying to make sense of it all or a casual lurker who’s finally decided to dive in, here’s a handy guide to the most popular acronyms you’ll see in the wild world of online book communities.
1. TBR – To Be Read
This one pops up everywhere. Your TBR is basically your personal reading wishlist – all the books you want to read someday (or more realistically, the ever-growing stack you may or may not get to this year).
“My TBR pile is out of control and I regret nothing.”
2. DNF – Did Not Finish
When you start a book but decide not to finish it, that’s a DNF. BookTok and Bookstagram are all about encouraging readers to prioritize enjoyment, so DNF-ing is totally accepted (and sometimes celebrated).
“This book was a DNF for me—couldn’t get past chapter five.”
3. ARC – Advance Reader Copy
These are early versions of a book sent out before official release, usually for reviews and hype-building. Influencers and reviewers often post ARC reviews to generate buzz.
“I got an ARC of this and it’s already a five-star read!”
4. OTP – One True Pairing
Your favorite fictional couple, ever. The duo that owns your heart. OTPs are serious business in fan communities.
“Kaz and Inej are my OTP forever.”
5. MC – Main Character
This simply refers to the main character in a book. You’ll see it a lot in reviews and character analyses.
“The MC was super relatable, especially with her chaotic book-buying habits.”
6. POV – Point of View
This is used both to talk about how a book is narrated and as a way of writing humorous or relatable posts.
“POV: You walk into a bookstore and black out.”
7. HEA / HFN – Happily Ever After / Happy For Now
Especially common in romance book discussions. HEA means everything wraps up with a picture-perfect ending, while HFN means things are good for now but not necessarily forever.
“It’s a slow burn with a satisfying HEA.”
8. BBG / MMC / FMC – Book Boyfriend Goals / Male Main Character / Female Main Character
BBG is used when a male character is just too swoony to handle. MMC and FMC are common abbreviations when talking about leads in reviews or discussions.
“The MMC in this book is total BBG material.”
9. WIP – Work In Progress
Writers in the book community use this to refer to stories they’re still working on. You’ll see it more often on the writer side of BookTok or in fanfiction circles.
“Can’t stop thinking about my WIP characters. They’re living rent-free in my head.”
10. NA / YA – New Adult / Young Adult
Genres based on the age of the protagonists. YA usually features characters aged 13–18, while NA (New Adult) skews 18–25, often with more mature themes.
“This is a steamy NA fantasy with enemies-to-lovers vibes.”
11. PNR / SFF – Paranormal Romance / Science Fiction & Fantasy
Genre-specific shorthand that makes life easier when you're searching for book recommendations in your favorite niche.
“Looking for a PNR rec with a morally gray vampire MMC. Hit me up!”
12. TW / CW – Trigger Warning / Content Warning
Used to flag potentially sensitive content so readers can make informed choices. It’s a great example of how the book community looks out for one another.
“CW: This book includes themes of grief and mental health struggles.”
Final Thoughts:
Once you get the hang of this bookish shorthand, BookTok and Bookstagram become a lot more fun—and a lot less confusing. These acronyms help people share thoughts and recommendations quickly while connecting with others who get their niche reading obsessions.
Got a favorite acronym I missed? Drop it in the comments—I’m always down to expand the glossary