#rcdec22

[stardustandrockets]

Drop your bi book recs in the comments!

I have far more books on my shelves with bi MCs or love interests than I thought. For some, it's a main plot point (romamce), and for others, it's just part of the character.

Surprisingly, the books I do have mostly make up the bi flag colors.

Books featured are: • Heartstopper vol 1 by Alice Oseman • Red White and Royal Blue/One Last Stop/I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston • The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer • The Fever King by Victoria Lee • Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei • Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun • An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green • Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft • The Raven Boys (i.e. The Raven Cycle) by Maggie Stiefvater • A Rogue of One's Own by Evie Dunmore • A Restless Truth by Freya Marske • Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat • You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky • not pictured (because I completely forgot) are A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab; Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert; and Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk

Featured is the 'Bi and Valid' magnet inspired by Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett from the December Rainbow Crate box.

[stardustandrockets]

Do you have a favorite book with bisexual rep?

I read Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell last February for the @rainbowcrate book club. Did I understand everything in the book? Not at all. Did I love the absolute chaos of the characters and their journey? For sure!

This political intrigue space opera follows Prince Kiem, who has an arranged marriage bomb dropped on him, and Jainan, an ambassador from another planet whose partner just died and who Kiem is betrothed. What happens next is a string of communication issues, problems due to the miscommunication, an investigation into Jainan's late partner's death, a few attempts at effective communication that go... not so well.

Usually, books that are extremely political are hard for me to follow and I lose interest, but that wasn't the case for Winter's Orbit. The world building was so well fleshed out and I loved how big a role culture plays. In this universe, sexuality is a fluid thing and gender expression is shown through the items they wear. No one questions it. This made for such a refreshing reading experience!

I adore Kiem and his chaotic bisexual energy so much! He was

incredibly kind and perceptive—the perfect match to Jainan's careful guardedness and intensity. And, while the miscommunication trope usually incites me with rage, it paid off so well in the end. Don't get me wrong, I was still absolutely screaming in my car while listening to the audiobook. That's what happens when you get both POVs.

Seeing Kiem and Jainan connect on such a deeply emotional level was everything. I adored watching them grow, uncover the past, and move past it together.

CW for past abusive relationship (mental, physical, gaslighting) discussed between characters and seen in flash backs, violence, torture

• For a full list, check StoryGraph

[stardustandrockets]

Do you read sci-fi? If so, drop your favorites in the comments.

The Darkness Outside Us has been on my tbr since it came out, but I only recently found a copy at my local Half Price Books. I always make a point to check back semi-regularly for any books that are high on my tbr. (Especially when it comes to manga.) I've heard nothing but great things about this one and have been told that the synopsis and marketing don't do TDOU justice. So I'm excited for that!

As for the last sci-fi I read, that would be Winter's Orbit (last June). I guess I've been on a major romance kick and have pushed sci-fi to the way back burner. That needs to change as it's one of my favorite genres.

Shown here are the bisexual shelf coasters from the December Rainbow Crate box.

[stardustandrockets]

Do you prefer solid edges or stenciled edges on books?

I've only had solid edges until these recent Rainbow Crate editions and I'm really liking how they're turning out. Though I don't mind basic edges either. They all give the books some personality.

How gorgeous are the edges on the December Rainbow Crate indie pick? The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens sounds like a really great read! I enjoyed In Deeper Waters, so I have high hopes for this one.

[stardustandrockets]

Would you ever go on a dating show? Why or why not?

I don't think I would ever want to go on a dating show. Especially being a sex-repulsed ace person. Unless maybe it was one of those "can't have sex to win" type shows, but even then, the whole idea is unappealing.

I'm excited to eventually get to the December trad pub pick from the Beautifully Bisexual box. It was one of my most anticipated books from December so I'm glad it was included.

[stardustandrockets]

DECEMBER RAINBOW CRATE SPOILERS

I think the rep boxes are some of my favorites! This is my third one (I missed the ace box as I wasn't aware of them back then) and they keep getting better! Especially now that they're doing more customizations on the books.

Included in the box: • tradpub: Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales with a redesigned dust jacket and signed book plate • indie pub: The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens with a whole new design and signed bookplate to match • Monthly collectible magnet inspired by Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett • bisexual book coasters • bisexual pride pin • bi pride metal mark inspired by I Knew Him by Abigail de Niverville (not pictured because of transit issues)

The coasters have already gotten a lot of use, and the magnet lives on my fridge with the others.