

The Stacks
Traci Thomas
The Stacks is your one stop shop to talk books and reading. Guests will join the host, Traci Thomas for lively discussions about books and the ways they have shaped their lives, and they way we all understand culture, race, politics, and more. The last Wednesday of each month Traci and guest will break down a book in detail as part of The Stacks Book Club. Make sure to check the website www.thestackspodcast.com for more details, including upcoming The Stacks Book Club picks.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 12min
Ep. 286 Monsters by Claire Dederer -- The Stacks Book Club (Brittany Luse)
We're thrilled to welcome back podcaster Brittany Luse to discuss Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer for The Stacks Book Club. We discuss how race does and doesn't show up in the book, and what worked for us versus what didn't. We also consider the nature of punishment and redemption when it comes to monstrous celebrities, and ask whose genius we miss out on when we make space for the monsters.Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our book club pick will be for October 2023.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/09/27/ep-286-monstersConnect with Brittany: Instagram | Twitter | It’s Been a MinuteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 20, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 285 A Page Is Not Wild with Myriam Gurba
Myriam Gurba visits The Stacks to discuss her new essay collection Creep: Accusations and Confessions. Myriam describes how a question about catharsis inspired the book, how she knows when she's ready to write about a topic or an event, and how thinking about her audience informs her writing. We also learn how humor plays into Myriam's work, and how her ancestors showed up in her writing process.The Stacks Book Club selection for September is Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer. We will discuss the book on September 27th with Brittany Luse.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/09/20/ep-285-myriam-gurbaConnect with Myriam: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 15, 2023 • 12min
Unabridged: The Chicago Live Show with Samantha Irby
*patron-only bonus episode teaser*This episode of The Stacks Unabridged features audio from our Chicago show on the Live in The Stacks tour. Humorist, TV writer and author Samantha Irby joins to talk about her new book Quietly Hostile: Essays. We also discuss books we love, books we hate and Hunter Biden's memoir. This is an edited version of the live show, so if you want more, come join us on tour! Get your tickets here. *This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon. To join this community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below.JOIN THE STACKS PACK TO LISTENYou can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/09/15/tsu-25-chicago-tourConnect with Samantha: Instagram | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonPurchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 13, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 284 Romance and Politics with Stacey Abrams
Politician, activist and author Stacey Abrams joins us to discuss her romantic suspense novel The Art of Desire, written under her pen name Selena Montgomery. We learn where her pseudonym came from and why she chose to re-release the book. We also talk about how Stacey's political life is influenced by her creative life and vice versa, what comes next for her, and how romance writing has changed in the last 20 years.The Stacks Book Club selection for September is Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer. We will discuss the book on September 27th with Brittany Luse.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/09/13/ep-284-stacey-abramsConnect with Stacey: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 8min
Ep. 283 The Curiosity Never Ends with Brittany Luse
Today we're joined by award-winning journalist and cultural critic Brittany Luse upon her first anniversary as host of NPR's It's Been a Minute. We discuss curiosity as a foundational principal of Brittany's life, and what comes easily versus what's more difficult as a veteran podcaster. We also hear about how she decides what to cover on the show, and Brittany's book club with her niece.The Stacks Book Club selection for September is Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer. We will discuss the book on September 27th with Brittany Luse.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/09/06/ep-283-brittany-luseConnect with Brittany: Instagram | Twitter | It's Been a MinuteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 1, 2023 • 51min
Introducing: Vibe Check with Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford
Introducing Vibe Check, a podcast where hosts Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford make sense of what’s going on in news and culture – and how it all feels. On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the literary works that they turn to frequently, what purpose they serve in each of their lives, and why.You can find Vibe Check on every podcast listening platform.*This is a special episode from the Vibe Check hosts, all friends of The Stacks.*Connect with Sam: Instagram | Twitter Connect with Saeed: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with Zach: Instagram | Twitter Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 30, 2023 • 51min
Ep. 282 You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi -- The Stacks Book Club (Sam Sanders)
Podcaster and journalist Sam Sanders returns to discuss You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi for The Stacks Book Club. In our conversation of this romance novel, we wonder if the book actually qualifies as such under the rules of romance novels. We also discuss how the story feels like real life because it mirrors the messiness of actual love stories, who we are rooting for, and we brainstorm casts for the upcoming screen adaptation.There are spoilers on today's episode.Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our book club pick will be for September 2023.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/08/30/ep-282-you-made-a-fool-of-deathConnect with Sam: Instagram | Twitter | Into It | Vibe CheckConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 25, 2023 • 12min
Unabridged: The Oakland Live Show with Leila Mottley
*patron-only bonus episode teaser*This Unabridged features audio from our first stop on The Stacks tour in Oakland with Leila Mottley. We talk about her book Nightcrawling and share our reality TV hot takes. We also give audience book recommendations with a special guest. This is an edited version of the live show, so if you want more, come join us on tour! Get your tickets here.*This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon. To join this community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below.JOIN THE STACKS PACK TO LISTENYou can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/08/25/tsu-24-oakland-tourConnect with Leila: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with Deesha: Twitter | Instagram | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonPurchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 23, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 281 The Characters Came Quickly with Jennifer Baker
Podcaster and author Jennifer Baker discusses her YA novel Forgive Me Not, how she created its alternate juvenile justice system and what she wanted to teach young people about incarceration and grief. Plus, we hear about how Jennifer and her editor worked together to edit the book, the many ways in which publishing has changed and stayed the same, and who decides who the villain is.The Stacks Book Club selection for August is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. We will discuss the book on August 30th with Sam Sanders.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/08/23/ep-281-jennifer-bakerConnect with Jennifer: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Minorities in PublishingConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 16, 2023 • 1h 5min
Ep. 280 Blind Thought with Andrew Leland
After living with the retinitis pigmentosa for decades, Andrew Leland; writer, audio producer, and teacher, decided to write about blindness in his debut book, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight. We discuss how he thought about specificity while addressing a broad audience and why writing about ableism felt so risky to him. We also talk about the concept of "blind thought" and the ongoing debate around blindness being a neutral characteristic.The Stacks Book Club selection for August is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. We will discuss the book on August 30th with Sam Sanders.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/08/16/ep-280-andrew-lelandConnect with Andrew: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSUPPORT THE STACKSJoin The Stacks Pack on PatreonTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


