So, I was searching for pride book tags and came across The Bi Book Tag on Books with Leo’s booktube. I think this is the first tag I’ve seen focused on the bi+ community, so I knew straight away I wanted to do it! To any bi readers and allies, I’d love to see your answer to these questions.
Confusion: a lot of people think bisexuals are just confused (spoiler alert: we’re not) but sometimes sexuality can be a confusing thing when you are just figuring it out. Name a book character who is also going through a journey of figuring things out.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant is one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in fiction. Her journey with mental health, loneliness and friendship is beautiful and I loved this book.
First crush: the first queer crush. Name a book with a character in it that totally made you swoon.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – JK Rowling
The first book character I remember having a crush on was Remus Lupin – it’s like a safe version of those embarrassing teacher crushes. Remus is still one of my favourite characters from the series.
Coming out: that moment when you’re ready to acknowledge your sexuality. Name a book that made you want to scream and gush on the top of your lungs about to everyone you know!
The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Galbraith
This is one of my favourite cosy mystery books and definitely my favourite out of this series so far. I know a lot of people guessed the reveal of this book, but I loved how it all fit together.
Recognition: unfortunately, bi erasure is still a thing. Name a book that made you feel seen and valued, understood.
Rainbow Boys – Alex Sanchez
Rainbow Boys was the first book I remember reading with a bisexual character. Looking back it’s not such a great book (bi-erasure, not the best writing…) but it helped to read about a character who felt the way I did. I still don’t think there’s much good bi rep in fiction unfortunately so let me know if you have any recommendations.
50/50: sexuality is fluid and so is bisexuality- almost no one is fifty fifty. Name a book about which you’re unsure whether you love or hate it- your own not fifty fifty opinion wise.
The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
I think I built this thriller up too much in my head – by the time I read it, I just thought it was OK despite the fact that everyone else seems to love it. I’d like to read it again with a fresh perspective to see if my thoughts have changed, but I think it has the sort of ending that would make that impossible.
Community: finding your place in a community can be hard- sometimes I feel like I’m too gay for the straight people and too straight for the gay people- but in the end it’s all about finding the right people in life that love you- sexuality doesn’t define you. Name a book with an amazing group of friends/community.
It – Stephen King
Something I didn’t know about Stephen King until I started reading his books is that he writes amazing characters (even if some of them are really unlikeable!) The Losers’ Club from It are one example of a group of friends I’d really love to be part of (apart from the whole killer-clown thing…) and King does a great job of writing a flawed set of characters you come to love over this mega-story.
