Jessica interviews Charley Rejsek, the CEO of BookPeople, the largest independent bookstore in Texas (and Jessica's hometown bookstore in Austin). This incredible conversation sheds light on what is happening in Texas, which is, in many ways, the epicenter of the fight for the freedom to read. Recent legislation in Texas demands that bookstores--already operating on razor thin margins--do the work of identifying books that politicians deem 'problematic' for schools. If this legislation is allowed to stand in Texas (and many other places where similar legislation is pending or planned), it could be the end of bookstores as we know it. Which is where Charley and others like her come in--through a courageous lawsuit that has paused the law for now, Charley and others are standing in the gap fighting for the freedom to read. Especially during National Banned Books week, this is a conversation you don't want to miss!

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

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

Join us next week as Christine tells Jessica about Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury!

Episode 4 Links:

• Buy a banned book from BookPeople
• The history of BookPeople
• More about HB 900 in Texas
• BookPeople's HB 900 information page

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