Culture
Romance Glossary: An A-Z Guide of Tropes and Themes to Find Your Next Book
From cinnamon rolls to stern brunch daddies, here are 101 terms you
should know to understand the popular literary genre.
Apron tugger. Shadow daddy. Wallflower. Fae. Sometimes it can feel as if romance novels come with their own special language — one you must learn in order to achieve maximum swoon. If you’re a dedicated reader, this terminology can help you pinpoint exactly which books will be your speed; if you’re new to the game, they can overwhelm you like so much overdressed word salad.
Whether you’re a superfan or a casual reader, if you’re genre-curious or you just want to understand why people keep talking about “spice” at the bookstore, here are 101 terms you should know. If you see something that strikes your fancy, we’ve got recommendations for books that show off these terms at their best. With any luck, you’ll find something to fall in love with — which, after all, is the whole point.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Culture
Test Your Knowledge of History’s Most Famous Libraries
A strong sense of place can deeply influence a story, and in some cases, the setting can even feel like a character itself. But as it’s summer here in the Northern Hemisphere and travel adventures abound, this week’s literary geography quiz takes you on a trivia tour of notable libraries around the world. To play, just make your selection in the multiple-choice list and the correct answer will be revealed. At the end of the quiz, you’ll find links to more information if you’d like to do further reading.
Culture
Do You Recognize These Lines From Popular Science Fiction?
Welcome to Literary Quotable Quotes, a quiz that tests your recognition of classic lines. This week’s installment highlights observations from future or alternate worlds depicted in popular science fiction. In the five multiple-choice questions below, tap or click on the answer you think is correct. After the last question, you’ll find links to the books if you’re intrigued and inspired to read more.
Culture
Test Your Memory of These Books That Changed the World
Welcome to Lit Trivia, the Book Review’s regular quiz about books, authors and literary culture. This week’s challenge tests your memory of books that made huge impacts on society after they were published — some of them even spurring changes to American laws. In the five multiple-choice questions below, tap or click on the answer you think is correct. After the last question, you’ll find links to the books if you’d like to do further reading.
-
Lifestyle8 minutes agoWorking hard as ever, Wendell Pierce aims for an annual trifecta: TV, film and theater
-
Education15 minutes agoThe Patriot Housewife Whose Plays Helped Push America Toward Revolution
-
Technology18 minutes agoThe best robot vacuum deals available during Prime Day
-
World23 minutes agoTurkey detains over 200 suspects, including alleged ISIS militants, in sweeping raid ahead of NATO summit
-
Politics30 minutes agoTrump foe wins crucial Dem primary as 2028 presidential speculation swirls
-
Sports38 minutes agoWizards select AJ Dybantsa first overall in 2026 NBA Draft
-
Business48 minutes ago
SpaceX stock returns to Earth after record IPO
-
Entertainment53 minutes ago
This is why the Madonna biopic starring Julia Garner isn’t happening after all