Lesbian Book Bingo – Frequently asked questions
I’ve had questions about some of the squares of the Lesbian Book Bingo card, so I thought I’d post a short FAQ.
Here’s what you need to know about these categories:
LGBTQIA+ character
For this square, please try to read books with a main character who is bisexual, pansexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, or identifies with a letter of the LGBT+ community other than the L (lesbian) since the L is covered by all the other bingo squares already.
The category is named LGBTQIA+ because no one would recognize what it’s supposed to mean if I left the L out.
Examples for this category would be:
Being Emily by Rachel Gold (trans character)
Perfect Rhythm by Jae (asexual homoromantic character)
Flinging It by G Benson (bisexual character)
Disabled character
In this category, look for books with a main character who has a physical disability, a chronic illness, or a mental illness. Remember that there are “invisible” disabilities, too, which are not immediately apparent, e.g., chronic pain, fibromyalgia, MS, depression, etc.
Examples for this category would be:
Just Physical by Jae (multiple sclerosis)
Battle Scars by Meghan O’Brien (PTSD)
Far From Home by Lorelie Brown (eating disorder)
Summer reads
A summer read is a book that is set during the summer months, which might mean June to September in the US and Europe, but December to February if the story is set in Australia, or that takes place in an exotic location where people go on vacation, e.g., a beach, an island, a cruise ship, etc.
Examples for this category would be:
Take Only Pictures by Laina Villeneuve (set in summer)
Sea Legs by KG MacGregor (set on a cruise ship)
Symphony in Blue by MJ Duncan (set on Maui)
Age difference
Traditionally, an age gap romance is considered a romance novel in which there’s an age difference of at least 10 years between the two main characters. The main focus isn’t so much the specific number of years, though, but the disparity in experience and life stage, e.g., one of them is in college, while the other already has a successful career.
In May/December romances—which are a subcategory of age gap romances—there’s an even bigger age difference between the lovers. One partner is in the spring of her life, while the other is in the winter of hers, so it’s an intergenerational relationship.
Examples for the “age difference” category would be:
After Mrs. Hamilton by Clare Ashton
The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter
Seasons of Love by Harper Bliss
Holiday book
A holiday book is a book in which one of the winter holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, etc. plays a role. Again, “winter” refers to winter in the northern hemisphere, but, of course, the book can be set in the southern hemisphere during the holidays too.
Examples for this category would be:
Under a Falling Star by Jae
The Bureau of Holiday Affairs by Andi Marquette
All I Want for Christmas by Clare Lydon
Paranormal
Paranormal fiction is set in our ordinary world, just with a paranormal twist added, for example, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, or shapeshifters exist along with humans. If you take away the paranormal creatures, you’d be left with our current world.
Examples for this category would be:
Second Nature by Jae
The Midnight Hunt by L.L. Raand
The Devil You Know by Marie Castle
Fantasy
Fantasy is set in an alternative world that has its own culture. Mythology and magic often play an important role.
Examples for this category would be:
Banshee’s Honor by Shaylynn Rose
Rising from the Ashes by Caren Werlinger
Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones
Second chance romance
The two main characters have once been in love with each other, but for some reason, things between them didn’t work out. Now, years later, they meet again and get a second chance at happiness with each other.
They could be former lovers or even ex-wives. Sometimes, the two weren’t a couple in the past because they were afraid to confess their feelings to each other.
If one main character gets a chance at happiness with someone else or at a new beginning in general, the book isn’t a second chance romance.
Examples for this category would be:
The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson
The Art of Us by KL Hughes
Always Alex by Robin Alexander
If you have any other questions about the bingo squares & categories, please let me know!
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