Netfux: Hot and Messy (QR 060)

Are all cats ice queens? Are all ice queens cats? What if they’re British? Kris’s Alexa wants to weigh in on this very important conversation, too. 

We answer a listener question about debut authors that swept us off our feet, making this a recommendation-heavy episode. After this edifying topic, Kris and Tara belly up to a long conversation about the latest season of the trash can that is the latest season of Love is Blind.

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Nurses (Global/NBC)
This week, Kris recommends the Canadian medical drama Nurses (Global/NBC), which follows a group of nurses in a busy downtown Toronto hospital. There’s a lot of death and dying in the show, so watch out for that if you’re squeamish. Otherwise, Kris describes it as a much less angsty Grey’s Anatomy.

From Tara: Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton
Tara recommends the contemporary sapphic romance Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton. An icy, perfectionist lawyer with a secret celebrity crush ends up representing that celebrity during her divorce and, well, you can kind of figure out the rest from there.

Tara praises the reality of how the relationship is handled, including how the power dynamics of their professional/client relationship are handled. Tara adored this book so much so that it’s now her favourite Clare Ashton book, toppling the reigning champ, Poppy Jenkins. Run, don't walk.

Works/People Discussed

• Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee Winter
• The Delicate Things We Make by Milena McKay
• Compass Rose by Anna Burke
• Stick McLaughlin: The Prohibition Years by C.F. Frizzell
• Changing Majors by Ana Hartnett
• The Red Files by Lee Winter
• Jericho by Ann McMan
• The Music and the Mirror by Lola Keeley
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix)
• Survivor, Season 46 (CBS)
• The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (AMC)
• Love is Blind, Season 6 (Netflix)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 16 (MTV)
• RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, Season 3 (BBC Three)
• Taylor Tomlinson: Have it All (Netflix)
• Lean in to Love by Catherine Lane

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

CONTENT WARNING: We're excited that Kris’s team won the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. Tragically, as some of you may have heard, the celebratory parade was interrupted by a mass shooting. Kris talks about her experience and feelings about the event. There are no graphic or scary details, but if you want to avoid it, the section is 01:28 - 07:36. Stay safe, everyone.

Tara’s reading slumpbuster keeps on chugging with more book recommendations. Kris goes to space (and the library) to get some work done. Reality television, in books and otherwise, is discussed at length. 

Official Recommendations

From Kris: ISS (2023)
This week, Kris recommends the science fiction thriller ISS. Kira Foster is the latest addition to the International Space Station. When nuclear war breaks out on Earth and the key to survival lies in the research aboard the ISS, America and Russia order their respective astronauts to take the station at any cost.

From Tara: Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee Winter
This week, Tara recommends Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee Winter, which the author described on Facebook as her first "romcom on purpose."

Muffin maker Olivia Roberts is tired of being taken advantage of by a series of bad exes and has decided on revenge. The problem is she needs help. When she puts out an ad looking for a henchperson, she gets it in the form of the mysterious Margaret Blackwood, and then we’re off to the races. Tara adored this book and thinks you will too.

Works/People Discussed

• Love is Blind, Season 6 (Netflix)
• True Detective: Night Country (HBO)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 16 (MTV)
• RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, season 2 (BBC Three)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
• Forever by Kris Bryant

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

We've got a packed house this week at ol’ QR HQ. Kris has some big projects out on them lonely roads. Tara’s reading slump seems to have been busted (fingers crossed). We talk card conventions and we answer your questions. Pull up a chair and hang out for a while.

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Theater Camp (2023)
This week, Kris recommends Theater Camp. It's a delightful and heartfelt mockumentary-style comedy about a summer theater camp in New York where the kids are wonderful and the adults are all hot messes.

From Tara: How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
This week, Tara recommends How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly, a cozy and queer sports romance. Which sport? Tara doesn’t know. Basketball, maybe?  It features characters from Kelly’s other books but stands alone just fine. Tara adored this book.

Works/People Discussed

• All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell
• The Grammys
• The Color Purple (2023)
• True Detective: Night Country (HBO)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season Sixteen (MTV)
• Not in the Plan by Dana Hawkins
• Keep This Off the Record by Arden Joy
• Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
• Thorn by Anna Burke
• The Bear (FX on Hulu)
• Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
• Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

Kris returns from a road trip adventure that pitted her against all kinds of weather. Tara talks about conquering her public speaking fear and announces that she’ll be attending GCLS for the first time this year. For all those planning to attend, you’ll experience the first meet-up between our Queerly Recommended hosts. Shit’s gonna get wild, friends.

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Joy Ride (2023)

This week, Kris recommends Joy Ride, a raunchy, sex-positive comedy about four Asian American friends reconnecting while travelling across China. Kris loved the relationships in this one and found a subplot about transitioning to be respectfully and lovingly handled.

From Tara: Limelight by Gun Brooke

Tara recommends Limelight by Gun Brooke, a sapphic romance set in a competitive singing reality TV show, with a contestant and one of the show's mentors falling for each other. Tara describes the setting as perfect for driving tension without requiring a third-act break up and she enjoyed the spin on ice queens, too. 

Works/People Discussed

• QR 044 - Jonathan Van Ness Says “Tara 4 Congress!”
• Chicago Fire (NBC)
• Love on the Spectrum (ABC TV/Netflix)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race, season 16 (MTV)
• Canada’s Drag Race, season 4 (Crave)
• RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, season 2 (BBC Three)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
• Fierce Overture by Gun Brooke
• Course of Action by Gun Brooke

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

After recounting their holidays and discussing the vomiting strategies of families with small children, Kris and Tara start with their new year updates. The first? Kris’s new book, Dreamer, is out. You can check it out here or wherever books are sold.

We’ve got some good recommendations this week, folks. Conversation starters, you might say.

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Good Grief (Netflix)

This week, Kris recommends Dan Levy's directorial debut, Good Grief, which recently premiered on Netflix. In addition to directing, Dan Levy writes and acts in this compelling (and sometimes frustrating) film about a man and his friends struggling to come to terms with their grief after his husband dies tragically.

Watch this movie with someone because it may not be a perfect movie, but it’s a perfect movie to talk about. You'll thank us later.

From Tara: Magdalene Nox by Milena McKay

This week, Tara recommends Magdalene Nox by Milena McKay, the companion novel to one of Tara’s all-time favourite romances, The Headmistress. Tara praises its heightened language and how that contributes to creating the vibe of a beautiful fairy tale about two women surrounded by others while still very much alone, as they find companionship in each other.

While The Headmistress was written as a standalone novel, Madalene Nox references it without always reproducing the content, making it a little more difficult to read by its own. This is great for you because you get to read both!

Works/People Discussed

Survivor, Season 45 (CBS)

Fool Me Once (Netflix)

Canada’s Drag Race (Crave)

RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 16 (MTV)

Snack vs. Chef (Netflix)

Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

The Beat Of Her Heart by Steren_Heart

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

Queerly Recommended is three years old! According to physical development guidelines, this podcast should be able to a) ride a tricycle b) climb stairs and c) walk backwards or side to side. Two out of three ain’t bad, and the less we say about emotional development, the better.

Speaking of new developments, Kris talks about her new book baby, Dreamer, which is out January 1st from Bold Strokes Books. Kris also has an interesting answer to the time old publishing question, “What comes first, the book or the book cover?”

Blow out the candles and make a wish. We hope it’s for…. recommendations!!!

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)

This week, Kris really wanted to recommend another queer Christmas movie, but the selection out there didn’t deliver. It’s very possible a slate of Christmas films were delayed or cancelled due to the writer’s strike.

So instead, Kris draws your attention to Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix). It has a bunch of queer people in it, it’s fun, and there are a lot of very hot, very tight bodies on display. And honestly, what’s more Christmasy than that?

From Tara: A Flight to Love by Frankie Fyre

This week, Tara recommends the novella A Flight to Love by Frankie Fyre. She describes this as “zero-angst” and “utterly Hallmark”. If you’re up for a gentle read about exes rekindling their relationship (plus, some pretty hot airport sex) then check this one out this holiday season.

Works/People Discussed

• Tinsel by Kris Bryant
• Dreamer by Kris Bryant
• Leave the World Behind (2023)
• Elf (2003)
• Candy Cane Lane (2023)
• While You Were Sleeping (1995)
• Obliterated (Netflix)
• The Great Canadian Baking Show, season 7 (CBC Television)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
• Sea of Stars (Sabotage Studio)
• Heartstopper, Vol. 2 and 3 by Alice Oseman
• Bottoms (2023)
• Highlander (1983)

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

It’s the holiday season BAYbee! We’re decking those halls. We’re putting up the tree. Kris demands to know how big Tara’s feet are, which leads to a measurement ON AIR. We’ve got bitches stealing Christmas, a bunch of thirsty suitors, and an oddly unprompted promotion for a Secret Santa website. Buckle up.

On a more serious note, this week Tara recommends (albeit not queerly) the short documentary film Apostate by Carmel Mikol, which both deals with and leads to a conversation about religious trauma, cults and a bunch of related bad stuff. If you're not down for that, the applicable content is between 31:00 - 40:16.

Official Recommendations 

From Kris: The Holiday Sitter (2022)

A workaholic bachelor gets stuck with his sister’s kids for the holiday season. What a bummer. He’s not cut out for this. His solution involves hiring a guy who is into taking care of the kids…and his heart!

Kris describes this as perfectly gentle and the kind of Christmas movie where all the obstacles are believable but totally overcome. It’s a warm hug of a film. Don't you deserve a warm hug?

From Tara: Make Her Wish Come True by A.L. Brooks

Tara's recommendation is a fauxmance leading to true romance at Christmas. A woman’s kid writes a letter to Santa asking for another mom for Christmas. Turns out Santa thinks the proper present this year is an aspiring journalist who's looking for a story and open to fake dating to get it. And he’s right!

Tara notes that despite it having fake dating deception in it, the deceit is dropped fairly early on. So, put down the stress ball, kiddies. It’s time for some romance under the mistletoe. 

Works/People Discussed

• elfster.com
• The Great British Baking Show (BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4)
• RuPaul's Drag Race UK (BBC Three)
• Canada’s Drag Race (Crave)
• The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (2021)
• Thirsty Suitors (Outerloop Games) 
• Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
• A Carol for Karol by Ann Roberts
• Apostate
• Spider Man Pointing at Spider Man Meme

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

Queerly Recommended is here to celebrate the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike — and also that we'll be covering queer holiday-themed content this year! Labor rights are of the utmost importance and we would have supported the strike as long as it took, but we're excited to bring you Christmas treats next month, too.

In addition to talking about the outcome of the strike (there’s a lot of good here, but some troubling portents for the future), Kris talks about good vs bad queer kissing in films. Tara goes on to discuss the benefits of feeling uncomfortable. 

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

This week, Kris dives into the 2023 film Red, White & Royal Blue, the cinematic adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s m/m novel of the same name. It’s a high-powered romance featuring the son of the American president and a British prince. Kris wants you to know that the chemistry is hot, hot, hot, and the cast is out of this world. 

From Tara: Flung Out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Illustrator)

Tara recommends the graphic novel, Flung Out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Illustrator). It’s a fictionalized imagining of how Patricia Highsmith came to write The Price of Salt, aka Carol, and it doesn't shy away from Highsmith's flaws. This story invites us to hold two truths at the same time: The Price of Salt is a foundational text in the sapphic canon that saved an inestimable number of lives and Highsmith held awful views and exhibited ugly behaviors. This exploration of her life and times will leave you with a deeper appreciation of our history and can't be missed.

Works/People Discussed

• Justine Bateman Slams SAG-AFTRA Tentative Deal's AI Provisions (Hollywood Reporter)
• Black Mirror, Season 6, Episode 1: Joan is Awful (Netflix)
• Dame Judi Dench Masterfully Does A Shakespeare Sonnet (Graham Norton Show)
• The Great British Baking Show (BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4)
• Chicago Fire (NBC)
• The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
• Alone (History)
• RuPaul's Drag Race UK (BBC Three)
• Dropout.tv
• Dimension 20: The Unsleeping City (Dropout TV)
• Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

This week, Tara and Kris are back! They're also sleepy, busy, and full of recommendations. 

Kris is our official correspondent from this year’s Women’s Week in Provincetown. Then, Kris accuses Tara of lying about her height and Tara insists she's not because that inch is REAL. 

Kris explores the sweeter side of David Beckham. Tara talks about a comedian’s dreams of ice skating and Whitney Houston. Both discuss how watching so many documentaries has changed them (for the better!). And then, as always… the recommendations.

Official Recommendations

From Kris: Back to Black (2020) and Reclaiming Amy (2021) 

This week, Kris recommends two documentaries about Amy Winehouse, Back to Black (2020) and Reclaiming Amy (2021). Taken separately, they tell conflicting stories that silo Winehouse into images that those creating the documentaries most want to portray. But, the truth is in the cracks, in the similarities and differences between accounts.

From Tara: An Acquired Taste by Cheri Ritz (Bella Books)

This week, Tara recommends An Acquired Taste by Cheri Ritz, which she describes as the ultimate gentle, cozy, lovely, sapphic romance. Set in a reality competition cooking show, it follows two former acting rivals who are both competing for something different: bragging rights as Celebrity Cook Off Champion. Maybe they'll cook up some love too? (We'll see ourselves out...)

Works/People Discussed

• The Great British Baking Show (BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4)
• The Great Canadian Baking Show (CBC Television)
• Beckham (2023) (Netflix)
• Survivor (CBS)
• Alone (History)
• Alone Australia (SBS)
• RuPaul's Drag Race UK (BBC Three)
• I Have Nothing (Crave Original)
• Baroness von Sketch Show (CBC Television)
• Handsome podcast

Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Blusky: @queerlyrec.bsky.social
• TikTok: @queerlyrecommended
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon

Kris went to Women's Week and Tara got knocked over by a couple of vaccines, so no new episode this week. 

We didn't want to leave you totally hanging, so we're rerunning one of our faves: last year's conversation with Melissa Brayden, popular author of sapphic romances. We may have recorded it for Valentine's Day, but this is a fun listen any time of year. 

We’re talking love this episode, people! Kris, Tara and Melissa compare their fave fictional couples, kisses, and romances that they love to reread. We also find out if Kris has a low bar for kissing in media (Melissa thinks so), Kris thinks out loud about Charlize Theron’s mouth, and Tara recounts her Summer of Steel at the tender age of twelve.

Works/People Discussed

• Chapters: Interactive Stories – App
• Imagine Me & You (2005)
• Atomic Blonde (2017)
• Steven Universe (Cartoon Network)
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Tricky Wisdom by Camryn Eyde
• And Playing the Role of Herself by K.E. Lane
• Wynonna Earp (Syfy)
• The Red Files and Under Your Skin by Lee Winter
• Star by Danielle Steel
• Paradise by Judith McNaught
• Too Close to Touch by Georgia Beers
• Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran
• Turn Back Time by Radclyffe
• Fated Love by Radclyffe
• Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon
• Winter Jacket by Eliza Lentzski
• Leave Yesterday Behind (1978)
• Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman (CBS)
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• All that Matters by Susan X. Meagher
• Didn’t Stay in Vegas by Chelsea M. Cameron
• Truth and Measure by Telanu

If you want to check out more from Melissa, you can find her on:

• Twitter: @MelissaBrayden
• Instagram: @mbraydenbooks
• Facebook @melissabrayden

 Support & follow the show

• Buy us a Ko-fi
• Sign up for our newsletter
• Twitter: @queerlyrec
• Facebook: @QueerlyRecommended
• Instagram: @queerlyrecommended
• Tumblr: @queerlyrecommended
• TikTok: @queerlyrecommended
• Get all our links on Linktr.ee
• Support local animal shelters by joining Kris's Patreon