Christine and Jessica discuss Red, White, and Royal Blue, one of the most banned books in recent history: a royal romp with political overtones and a heart of gold. Jessica's life goal of getting Christine to read contemporary romance is unlocked! And even though Jessica was less than hopeful about Texas politics in this episode, just a few days after it was recorded, the first lesbian, Asian-American mayor of San Antonio was elected in a decisive victory despite being the outspent underdog, proving why McQuiston's book remains so timely--because Texas will always, always surprise you.

Join the conversation on Substack! If you'd prefer to be a Patreon subscriber, you can join now for just $3 a month. Thank you for your support! The success of this podcast depends on you!

"The Beautiful and Banned" is produced by Jessica Goudeau and Christine Renee Miller. Follow us on social media: @beautifulandbannedpod, @christinereneemiller, and @jessica_goudeau.

If you have questions for us, visit the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you liked our show, please rate and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. The best way to support our podcast is to share it with your friends!

Our co-producer, Rob Heath, wrote and performed our theme music. Kalin Siegwalddesigned our logo. Jillian Benedict is our amazing podcast assistant. This is A Sisters By Different Misters Production.

Join us in two weeks in the season 3 finale as Christine and Jessica discuss 1984 by George Orwell!

Episode 8 Links:

• Red, White, and Royal Blue
• Casey McQuiston's website
• A 2022 Publisher's Weekly interview with McQuiston
• The Texas Tribune on one of the Texas lege bills we mention

We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!

For the first time on this podcast, we're reading a book that is not banned: Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin is controversial and challenging, but not challenged--at least not yet. But it's such a seminal book for understanding where we are in the country, and how we can both criticize and love our country, that we decided to read it anyway. Listen in to this important conversation about Baldwin whose every word is incredible, the roots of racism and how it hurts all of us, and how we can move forward as a nation. This book is deeply critical and holds well-earned hope--we promise, this conversation will change you.

Join the conversation on Substack! If you'd prefer to be a Patreon subscriber, you can join now for just $3 a month. Thank you for your support! The success of this podcast depends on you!

"The Beautiful and Banned" is produced by Jessica Goudeau and Christine Renee Miller. Follow us on social media: @beautifulandbannedpod, @christinereneemiller, and @jessica_goudeau.

If you have questions for us, visit the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you liked our show, please rate and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. The best way to support our podcast is to share it with your friends!

Our co-producer, Rob Heath, wrote and performed our theme music. Kalin Siegwald designed our logo. Jillian Benedict is our amazing podcast assistant. This is A Sisters By Different Misters Production.

Join us in two weeks as Christine and Jessica discuss Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston!

Episode 7 links:

• Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
• Baldwin's biography
• Info about Baldwin's relationship with Lucien Happersberger

We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!

In this short interlude, Jessica talks about why there's not an episode this week, what next week's episode will hold as we discuss our first book that has NOT been banned, and what's happening at the Library of Congress in the one of the most bonkers stories of our time (which is saying a lot).

All links and quotes for today's LOC story can be found in today's article in The Injustice Report.

Call your representatives ASAP and tell them you're very worried about what's happening at the Library of Congress and expect them to speak up! We look forward to joining you next week with our episode about James Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son--not a banned book but a critical one for us today.

We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!