2018’s Bisexual Book Award Winners
Last night the winners of the Sixth Annual Bisexual Book Awards: Books of 2017 were announced at a ceremony in New York City. The awards are run by the Bi Writers Association, one of the foremost voices promoting bisexual literature, writers, arts, and culture in America. For these awards, books are eligible based on their bisexual content without regard to the sexuality or gender of their authors and are judged by a panel based on the quality of the writing; the quality of the bisexual representation; and the quantity of the bisexual representation. This list, however, is very white, and the advertised list of speakers and performers at the awards ceremony even more so. The Bi Writers Association needs to do better. But in the meantime here’s a more inclusive list of must-read bisexual books and keep reading for this year’s Bisexual Book Award winners.
Nonfiction
Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child by Telaina Erikson
Unconditional is a combination of the author’s story of raising a gay daughter, other people’s stories, research, and anecdotal evidence on the needs of LGBTQ children. The one thing this guide to raising queer children well seems to lack are the voices of the actual queer children.
Memoir/Biography
What the Mouth Wants: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Belonging by Monica Meneghetti
This sensual memoir traces a unique life journey through a relationship with food, family, and love. Meneghetti’s life as part of a traditional Italian-Catholic family travels through intimacy, ritual, conformity, sexuality, and grief.
Fiction
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
A plague consumes humanity as a woman recalls her sexual encounters. A shop worker makes a horrifying discovery within the seams of a dress. Weight loss surgery summons an unwanted house guest. Girls with bells for eyes. This is a this startling, genre-bending short story collection that maps the realities and violence of women’s lives.
Romance
By the Currawong’s Call by Welton B. Marshland
By the Currawong’s Call tells of an Anglican priest falling in love with a police officer in an Australian town so small that their dangerous secret cannot be hidden. (M/M romance)
Erotic Fiction
Rescues and the Rhyssa by T.S. Porter
The Cousin to the king of the star system and the smuggler only get along when they’re falling into bed together. Otherwise, they fight. But when the king’s children are kidnapped only the smuggler has the skills to get them back. (F/F romance)
Speculative Fiction
The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myth and Magic by F.T. Lukens
Bridger is prepared to ignore the many peculiarities of his job in order to pay for college: entering through the roof; the ancient books and scrolls; the incorporeal voices. But it’s harder to ignore being pulled under the lake by mermaids. Worse, this happens in front of his new crush. (M/M romance)
Teen/Young Adult Fiction
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
The Borderlands on the other side of the wall are a place of magic, elves, harpies, and mermaids. When Elliot gets a chance to go to school there he finds classes involve a lot of weaponry training and that maybe he’s there to change the world.
Mystery
Suspicious Behaviour by L.A. Witt
Suspicious Behaviour is the tale of two detective boyfriends having a rough time. Near fatal wound, family crises, hostile precincts, and a serial killer about to strike again. (M/M romance)
Poetry
Truth Be Bold: Serenading Life and Death in the Age of AIDS by Juliene Tripp Weaver
Truth Be Bold, part memoir, part poetry, is a testament to a 21-year career in HIV services. This book is a gift from one who has been a first-hand witness to an epidemic to those of us who have not.
Publisher of the Year
Less Than Three Press
Less Than Three Press is a rising presence in the LGBTQ romance community. A labour of love providing romance of “substance” with their network of talented writers, artists, and editors. <3
Bi Writer of the Year
Peggy Seeger
Winner of Bi Writer of the Year is American folk singer Peggy Seeger. From a family deeply steeped in music and politics, she wins with her new memoir First Time Ever: A Memoir.
What do you think were the best bisexual books of 2017? Let us know in the comments.
