When I got back into reading this year, I noticed there were tons of commonly used acronyms that I had no idea what they meant, and I’ve seen other new readers have questions about them too, so I thought I’d make a compilation of acronyms and definitions!

ALC - Advanced listening copy (like ARC but for audiobooks) (thanks @redhead.rambles !)

ARC, eARC - Advance Reader Copy ; A copy of an unpublished book given to select readers to review before the publication date. A lot of people get these through Netgalley. (The “e” is for “electronic”)

BE - Bad ending (thanks @sitacchi !)

CNC - Consensual non-consent (thanks @Indie !)

CR - Currently reading

CTM - Crime, thriller, mystery (thanks @sitacchi !)

DNF - Did not finish

DNFfn - Did Not Finish (for now) (thanks @irmknitss !)

DNR - Do Not Read, books you don't want to read (thanks @Indie !)

DRC - Digital Review Copy (thanks @MaddiHunt !)

Dub-con - Dubious consent (thanks @Indie !)

GN - Graphic novel (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

HC - Hardcover (thanks @CaitlinByHerShelf !)

HE - Happy ending (thanks @sitacchi !)

HEA - Happily ever after

HFN - Happy for now (usually used to describe the ending of a book where characters are happy, but there is potential for future conflict)

JE - Juvenile early readers (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

JPB - Juvenile picture books (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

JMU - Juvenile moving up books (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

LFL - Little free library ; Designated bookcases in public areas where anyone can take a book or leave books for other people to enjoy!

LI - Love interest (thanks @maggiebogo !)

LT - Large type (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

MC, FMC, MMC - Main character, Female main character, Male main character

MG - Middle grade (thanks @proudraindrop !)

NA - New adult (thanks @Indie !)

NB - Enby/nonbinary (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

Non-con - Non-consensual (thanks @Indie !)

PB - Paperback (thanks @CaitlinByHerShelf !) and also Pagebound! (thanks @KittyFeathers !)

PNR - Paranormal romance (thanks @Indie !)

RH - Reverse harem (thanks @FairyPeriapt !)

RTC - Review to come (thanks @acidicchaos !)

SF - Science fiction (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

SFF - Science fiction fantasy

TBR - To be read

TK - To come ; When speaking about book content that's in progress, like images, dedications, and more, not yet included in the book. Examples: “Review and link tk” ; In ARC books: “Dedication tk” (thanks @Myth.Ink !)

TW, CW - Trigger warning and Content warning

WC - Why Choose ; Romance between more than two people, in a polyamorous way (thanks @ctrlaltdelete !)

WIP - Work in progress

YA - Young adult ; Usually used to describe books written with a teenage audience in mind

Please let me know of other acronyms I’ve missed and I’ll add to the list!

P.S. When you use an acronym for a book title or author name outside of a relative context (like in the Pagebound club instead of a book’s forum), consider using the book/author’s full name first before the acronym so everyone will know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s easy to forget that a name acronym that is common to you, could be completely unknown to someone else. This way everyone will be able to fully follow what you’re talking about.

I hope this post is helpful for some people :3