In our latest diversity recs post, we decided to look at novels that feature bisexual characters. When searching for books with LGBT+ representation, it can be surprisingly hard to find ones with characters who are bisexual. The following are our top 10 picks, all of which are already released or due to be released at some point this year!
How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake
Goodreads | Book Depository | Release Date: 2nd May
All Grace wants is a normal life, where she doesn't have to worry about paying the bills, constantly moving around, or her unreliable mother and her latest boyfriend (who just happens to be the father of Grace's ex-boyfriend). Grace's plans to lie low until graduation are disrupted when she meets Eva - a girl with her own ghosts. This is a story of family relationships, and two girls in love helping each other to overcome their obstacles in life.
All Grace wants is a normal life, where she doesn't have to worry about paying the bills, constantly moving around, or her unreliable mother and her latest boyfriend (who just happens to be the father of Grace's ex-boyfriend). Grace's plans to lie low until graduation are disrupted when she meets Eva - a girl with her own ghosts. This is a story of family relationships, and two girls in love helping each other to overcome their obstacles in life.
Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley
Goodreads | Book Depository | Release Date: 31st January
Aki knows that she is bisexual, but has only dated guys before - and has only come out to Lori, her best friend. When the two girls go on a four week mission trip to Mexico, Aki doesn't expect to meet anyone that she'd be interested in - that is, until Christa shows up. This book discusses sexuality, safe sex, and the struggles that young people can face when trying to explain their sexuality to their loved ones.
Aki knows that she is bisexual, but has only dated guys before - and has only come out to Lori, her best friend. When the two girls go on a four week mission trip to Mexico, Aki doesn't expect to meet anyone that she'd be interested in - that is, until Christa shows up. This book discusses sexuality, safe sex, and the struggles that young people can face when trying to explain their sexuality to their loved ones.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Goodreads | Book Depository
Alex, a bisexual Latina protagonist, is an encantrix - one of the most powerful Brujas in generations. However, she fears that her powers will ultimately hurt those close to her, and in an attempt to get rid of them, accidentally sends her entire family to the in-between world of Los Lagos. Alex is forced to hire Nova, an untrustworthy brujo boy, to guide her through Los Lagos and rescue her family. However, there is a darkness running through Los Lagos that has affected her and her family more than she could expect. Labyrinth Lost is a novel with an almost fully POC cast of characters, and the fact that Alex has both a male and female love interest but this wasn't treated like a big deal (the word 'bisexual' isn't actually used throughout the book) really made this book stand out for me.
Alex, a bisexual Latina protagonist, is an encantrix - one of the most powerful Brujas in generations. However, she fears that her powers will ultimately hurt those close to her, and in an attempt to get rid of them, accidentally sends her entire family to the in-between world of Los Lagos. Alex is forced to hire Nova, an untrustworthy brujo boy, to guide her through Los Lagos and rescue her family. However, there is a darkness running through Los Lagos that has affected her and her family more than she could expect. Labyrinth Lost is a novel with an almost fully POC cast of characters, and the fact that Alex has both a male and female love interest but this wasn't treated like a big deal (the word 'bisexual' isn't actually used throughout the book) really made this book stand out for me.
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Goodreads | Book Depository | Release Date: 14th March
When Taylor, Jamie and Charlie go to SupaCon together, they know they'll have an amazing time, but they don't expect the convention to change their lives forever.
Charlie, a bisexual Chinese-Australian film star, knows that SupaCon is her chance to show fans that she's over her ex-boyfriend. When her crush Alyssa Huntington turns up, she definitely didn't expect her feelings for Alyssa to be requited.
Taylor runs a blog where she openly talks about her anxiety, and because of this, is scared of big changes. The one change she's hoping for, though, is for her friendship with Jamie to turn into something more. However, when she hears about the Queen Firestone contest, she starts to rethink her stance on taking risks.
A book packed with diversity, romance and strong female friendships, this is a must read!
When Taylor, Jamie and Charlie go to SupaCon together, they know they'll have an amazing time, but they don't expect the convention to change their lives forever.
Charlie, a bisexual Chinese-Australian film star, knows that SupaCon is her chance to show fans that she's over her ex-boyfriend. When her crush Alyssa Huntington turns up, she definitely didn't expect her feelings for Alyssa to be requited.
Taylor runs a blog where she openly talks about her anxiety, and because of this, is scared of big changes. The one change she's hoping for, though, is for her friendship with Jamie to turn into something more. However, when she hears about the Queen Firestone contest, she starts to rethink her stance on taking risks.A book packed with diversity, romance and strong female friendships, this is a must read!
Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz
Goodreads | Book Depository
Etta is sick of the labels that are being attached to her and making her feel as though she doesn't fit in - she's "not gay enough" for her old friends after recently dating a boy, "not white enough" for her ballet class, and "not sick enough" after recovering from an eating disorder. When she meets Bianca in her therapy group - a straight, white Christian girl with an eating disorder who represents everything that Etta both does and doesn't want to be - Etta finds herself on a path to self-discovery and overcoming the labels constantly placed on her.
Etta is sick of the labels that are being attached to her and making her feel as though she doesn't fit in - she's "not gay enough" for her old friends after recently dating a boy, "not white enough" for her ballet class, and "not sick enough" after recovering from an eating disorder. When she meets Bianca in her therapy group - a straight, white Christian girl with an eating disorder who represents everything that Etta both does and doesn't want to be - Etta finds herself on a path to self-discovery and overcoming the labels constantly placed on her.
Far From You by Tess Sharpe
Goodreads | Book Depository
When Sophie's (a bisexual MC) best friend, Mina, died in what everyone believed was a drug deal gone wrong (which they also believe that Sophie set up), Sophie was forced into rehab along with her and Mina's secret - Mina was deliberately murdered. Once Sophie is out of rehab, she's determined to track down Mina's killer before they track her down first. Not your typical romance, but instead a murder-mystery which also focuses on Sophie and Mina's relationship, Far From You is definitely different from the rest of the books featured on this list, and worth a read!
When Sophie's (a bisexual MC) best friend, Mina, died in what everyone believed was a drug deal gone wrong (which they also believe that Sophie set up), Sophie was forced into rehab along with her and Mina's secret - Mina was deliberately murdered. Once Sophie is out of rehab, she's determined to track down Mina's killer before they track her down first. Not your typical romance, but instead a murder-mystery which also focuses on Sophie and Mina's relationship, Far From You is definitely different from the rest of the books featured on this list, and worth a read!
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Goodreads | Book Depository
Frances, a bisexual WoC, is known only as a study-machine focused on getting high grades. However, she has a secret obsession - a podcast called Universe City. When Frances is asked to design art for the podcast and meets its creator, the two form a strong bond, and what follows is a story of friendship and self-acceptance.
Not Your Sidekick by C. B. Lee
Goodreads | Book Depository
Jess, a Chinese-Vietnamese bisexual girl, lives in a world where the majority of citizens have superpowers - including her famous parents. Being without superpowers herself, Jess finds what could be the perfect internship whilst looking for activities to add to her college application - it's paid, it doesn't require her to have powers, and she gets to work with her secret crush, Abby. She may be working for the town's biggest supervillain, but what could go wrong?Noteworthy by Riley Redgate
Goodreads | Book Depository | Release Date: 2nd May
Jordan Sun is starting her junior year at performing arts school, but being an Alto 2, she's always struggled to get a role in the school musical. When the school get a mass email informing them that the Sharpshooters, the school's revered all-male a cappella group, Jordan is determined to make this year different. She auditions in drag and discovers that, as a Tenor 1, she's just what the Sharpshooters need.
The Seafarer's Kiss by Julia Ember
Goodreads | Release Date: 4th May
When nineteen year old mermaid Ersel rescues and falls in love with Ragna, a shield-maiden, and the two are caught by Ersel's suitor, he attempts to force her to choose between saying goodbye to Ragna or facing the wrath of her king. However, Ersel has other plans and is determined to be reunited with Ragna. A bisexual, f/f retelling of The Little Mermaid with Norse mythology thrown in (plus, who doesn't love both mermaids AND shield-maidens?) this is a must read!
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love,
Nice list! I'm not sure if you're aware, but here are two bisexual books resources: (1)The Bi-bliography (a database - I run this):http://www.librarything.com/profile/The_Bi-bliography and (2) Bisexual Books (a blog on Tumblr): http://www.bisexualbooks.com/.
ReplyDeleteI love these lists!
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