An interesting and affirming book. It took me a minute to get through, but as a bisexual woman it was cool to read. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who is finding themselves in any way (meaning not specifically bisexual themselves). This book was a good reminder of the fluidity of sexuality, and was cause for a lot of reflection. Would definitely recommend.

Comprehensive and relevant history on bisexuality and social dynamics. Julia Shaw is clearly experienced in her work, and wrote an eye opening text.

Representation: All about bisexuality, and the author is bisexual

Written by a bisexual psychologist and bestselling author, Shaw studies the science of sexuality. This book looks at the science and culture of attraction beyond the binary, including the Kinsey scale, asylum seekers fighting for recognition of their identity, and so much more. There’s research, but there’s also some drawn from her personal experiences.

I enjoyed reading this, and far, far more than the one written by Savin-Williams. This one actually comes from a place of personal understanding, and looks at the complexities that come from cultural influences alongside science and research. It’s also very readable, for me it didn’t get too bogged down in technical terms. Is it the best book ever written? No, but it’s certainly one of the better ones that I’ve read on bisexuality.

This book was a fascinating look into the history of bisexuality. The author managed to get a very nice mix of informative but also entertaining in their writing style. I, personally, did skim on the chapter surrounding threesomes but mostly because that just wasn't for me.

I’m so glad this book was published! I’ve recommended it to friend as in my life already. I think it’s a great primer on the subject.

This is the type of book that can help people of any sexuality find themselves

Author Julia Shaw walks us through a history of bisexuality, including different ways that queerness has been tested amoung people over the years. Discovering how far back research into what feels like modern day sexuality terminology has existed was really mind opening for me and I've been bothering people about it for months since reading this book.

There are also interactive segments of the book that allow the reader a chance to reflect on their own thoughts and sexuality. There is one chart toward the beginning that really stuck out to me - you fill one side out with a scale for a few different topics from your past (ie, "having a relationship with, sexually preferring, or romantically pursing) vs your present, vs who you want to be.

Sexuality is fluid and everchanging, and this book is a friendly and refreshing reminder of that. I highly recommend regardless of your sexuality, it's a good experience into making you think about yourself, without feeling like you're "putting yourself in a box", so to speak.

Absolutely loved this book! Thank you for the opportunity to read it. As a bisexual, I learned a lot from this book and I would recommend it to any other bi person who wants to learn more about themselves.

Psychologist and bisexual advocate Julia Shaw digs into the history and science behind bisexuality. From the Kinsey scale to better scientific understanding, to the part bisexuals have played both as part and apart in queer history and today, this is an important book in understanding bisexuality.

The increase in good and personal literature written by LGBT+ individuals includes this overview of a highly controversial sexuality. Bisexuality is represented by the third letter in the most common queer acronym, but criticism remains inside and outside of the community. The inclusion of the history of bisexuality and analysis of the scientific research behind it creates a fresh look at the sexuality shared by many.

I really liked this one, it was researched well and organized in an intersting manner. As a fellow bi, I love that there is book just with bi rep. It makes me feel seen. I recommended it to a fellow bi group, and they will hopefully be reading as well.

I've read some bad books about bisexuality. I've read a lot of poorly researched, uninformed nonsense about my community that still got published because the author was a tenured professor somewhere. Bi by Julia Shaw was none of that.

This book isn't fully comprehensive, but it does its best to be an introduction to bisexual issues that will be useful to newly out bi people as well as family members and allies.

I consider myself fairly well-informed about bisexual issues, so I already knew most of the information in this book, but I did still learn some interesting things, especially in the history section. I also think that the bibliography at the end of each chapter is a really useful starting point for independent research on any of the topics that Shaw discusses.

This book is definitely coming from a white lens and aimed at an American and Western European audience, which means that there are some holes, but I think that Shaw did a better job at discussing intersectionality than the authors of most books like this do. I wish there were more discussion of the way that colonialism caused homophobia and transphobia in much of the world, but I did appreciate the critiques of homonationalism and of western approaches to immigration and people seeking asylum.

Overall, while it had its holes, I highly recommend this book as a great starting point for nonfiction about bisexuality.

Please note that it contains discussions of homophobia, biphobia, racism, misogyny, and various other bigotries and oppressions.

This was such an informative, educational, fantastic read. I was not familiar with Shaw or any of her previous work and I requested this book because as a bisexual woman I realized I did not know much of the history behind bisexuality. This book did not disappoint, Shaw went into a deep dive into the history, the science, and even the politics of bisexuality. A Great read.

4.5

Julia Shaw is a criminal psychologist, who is herself bisexual. In this self-proclaimed passion project, she wove together studies, statistics, and anecdotes both personal and historical to create what is in essence a Bisexual 101 book.

She talks about the etymology of bisexual (vs related terms such as pansexual or omnisexual), the Kinsey Scale and the Klein Grid and goes into use of the term in history and in nature, media portrayal, laws and censorship, using queer identities to seek asylum, and so much more, all with the recurring theme of bi erasure. She doesn't shy away from discussion about intersectionality either, noting for example that in media while there is an increase in bisexual characters they are predominantly women and even more predominantly white.

She also goes into the stigma/stereotype that "bi people being more likely to cheat". I personally have mixed feelings on how she approached that as she veered pretty far into ethical/consensual non monogamy is fine but cheating isn't. While I agree with the majority of what she said, "straight people cheat too" and "lots of people have and/or fantasize about threesomes" didn't seem conducive to fighting against that stigma.

Overall, I think this is written in a very accessible manner and while most of the information wasn't new or groundbreaking for me, I would definitely recommend this as a starting point for those who want to learn more.

As a bisexual -well pansexual-, woman, I thought this book very interesting.
I sure will add this book to my physical bookshelf. I think it is a must have book for any queer or ally.

This was fantastic!

<I>Bi</I> really tears down the heteronormative in a way that is refreshing and compassionate. Shaw brings light to a sexual orientation that is either invisible or fetishized, explaining the science behind bisexuality in nature, the definition of bisexuality and pansexuality, illustrates the history of bisexuality, and truly destroys the binary. She celebrates the spectrum and it is both enlightening and validating.

If you are someone who is queer, questioning, or simply an ally, this is really an important read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Pasted from my blog - link included below

Review - Bi by Julia Shaw
Title: Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality


Author: Julia Shaw


Rating: 4.5 stars / 5 stars


*This post contains affiliate links. If you make purchases after using these links, I will earn a percentage of your purchase without any further cost to you.


Favorite Quote: “It is only when we identify, understand, and acknowledge the role of bisexuality that we can really begin to understand the beautiful complexity of human sexuality across time.” Shaw, Julia. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality. E-book ed., Abrams Press, 2022.


Review: Thank you to the publisher, Abrams Press, and the NetGalley platform for the free e-ARC I received in exchange for an honest review of this book.


This book - I’m a little late writing my review of this book, simply because I’ve needed time to process my thoughts and emotions. This book is good. I say that as someone interested in the history of sexuality and the science of sexuality, and whose own identity is tied up in how sexuality is defined (just as the author’s is).


So, let’s talk about what’s working best. The author does an incredible job weaving a personal narrative into a book that largely is based in science, history, and culture. For instance, in one chapter, the author discusses, in-depth, the history and science behind the Kinsey Scale and Klein Grid, provides statistics about contemporary sexuality self-identification, before shifting the narrative to the reader - “I urge you to allow yourself to continue to ask questions about your sexuality, and to embrace those who fall within the sexual middle ground.” Shaw, Julia. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality. E-book ed., Abrams Press, 2022.


Similarly, Shaw also often turns the narrative on herself and her own identity, history, and experiences. The second chapter, aptly entitled “Our History” opens with the author’s own first pride after making the statement, “I bet most people remember their first Pride.” Shaw, Julia. Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality. E-book ed., Abrams Press, 2022. This chapter quickly (and smoothly and effectively) shifts to how queerness is depicted historically and what a “history of sexuality” is and might look like.


Chapters throughout the book do this just as effectively - weaving a narrative of science, history, and memoir into a book that explores what it means to be bisexual.


Overall, my only criticism of this book was that there were a few typos (which may be fixed by the final printing) and a few organizational issues.


About that Quote: This quote effectively and succinctly sums up the primary theme of the book - that exploring human sexuality outside a rigid binary is the best, and truly the only, way to fully explore the human experience as it encompasses sexuality in all its layers.


Have you read Bi? Share your thoughts below!

This was a very interesting exploration of the history of bisexuality! I usually have to be in the mood to read nonfiction, but I gobbled this up really quickly. The book was extremely well research and the writing was very digestible and easy to understand. I always love a good queer nonfiction book. I identify as biromantic so a lot of this book felt very personal to me. Excellent!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bi by Julia Shaw is a great 101-style book that pulls together a lot of disparate threads.

It consolidates a lot of different ideas so you don't have to read 20 different articles.

This book reminds me a lot of the book "The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality."

Shaw writes in a very accessible way--even though she is often referencing complex academic ideas.

It's the kind of book that I wished existed when I was coming to terms with being Bi.

Thank you so much to ABRAMS for the opportunity to read a free e-copy of Bi by Julia Shaw in exchange for my honest review.

In my opinion, Shaw largely accomplishes what she sets out to do. You can tell that this book was a passion project for her, and it is incredibly well-researched. I did feel that some of the organization was a little confusing in ways that distracted from some important points that she was making. However, she covers a LOT of ground, from queer history to pop culture to asylum. All in all, this book made me feel seen as a semi-out bi/queer person, and it made me want to embark on my own research and analysis of bi history and the current state of bisexuality in culture.

Bi was very insightful and informative, and was presented in such an engaging and easy format. I have a great appreciation for the perspectives and different angles that Shaw provides in Bi. It proved that the journey to understand one's sexuality is not straight (lol) or linear. Was also exciting to see that she does not shy away from the heavier topics and misconceptions that are typically associated with bisexual folks. The book overall was extremely validating to experience. I hope all folks, queer or not, get the opportunity to read Bi.