Bookish

Fits when shared informality makes focused enthusiasm affectionate

Careful Outside a friendly context, nerdy can sound dismissive or insulting.

Fits when affection for reading should sound explicit and friendly

Careful This phrase lacks the slight personality portrait conveyed by bookish.

Fits when the person's interest specifically concerns literature

Careful The word excludes bookish interests in history, science, or other subjects.

Fits when disciplined study and academic effort are visible

Careful Leisure reading for pleasure does not make someone studious.

Fits when broad knowledge gained from reading is established

Careful A bookish beginner may love reading without yet being well-read.

Fits when engagement with complex ideas matters most

Careful Intellectual curiosity can flourish through debate and experience without many books.

Fits when research habits and academic rigor deserve emphasis

Careful Scholarly is too weighty for a child who simply prefers novels.

Fits when unusually deep learned knowledge is being praised

Careful It overstates ordinary enthusiasm for reading and may sound showy.