

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

Jul 3, 2024 • 1h 2min
Ep. 326 You Can’t Opt Out with Emily Raboteau
Today author and essayist Emily Raboteau joins The Stacks to discuss her book Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against "The Apocalypse." Emily explains what has changed for her since writing this meditation on justice, race and the environment. And we learn why it’s so important to talk about climate change with the people in our lives. The Stacks Book Club pick for July is Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. We will discuss the book on July 31st with Emily Raboteau. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/07/03/ep-326-emily-raboteauConnect with Emily: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep. 325 It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover — The Stacks Book Club (Melissa Mogollon)
For this edition of The Stacks Book Club, Melissa Mogollon returns to dissect the popular romantic novel It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. We unpack the book itself - its writing style and depiction of domestic violence - along with the public perception of its author. We also discuss the upcoming film adaptation starring Blake Lively, and so much more. There are lots of spoilers in this one.Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our July book club pick will be.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/06/26/ep-325-it-ends-with-usConnect with Melissa: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

Jun 21, 2024 • 14min
Unabridged: The Performance of Gender with Aaron Jay Young
*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser*Los Angeles photographer Aaron Jay Young visits The Stacks Unabridged to discuss Queen, a portrait book celebrating the art of drag. We learn how his book came to be and what he’s learned about the performance of gender through photographing drag queens. Aaron also reveals how he approaches his subjects to get the right shot.*This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon and our Substack subscribers. To join a community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below.JOIN PATREON OR SUBSTACK TO LISTENYou can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:http://www.thestackspodcast.com/unabridged/2024/06/21/tsu-35-aaron-jay-youngConnect with Aaron: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Queen the BookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

Jun 19, 2024 • 1h 1min
Ep. 324 The Psychology of Evil with Akwaeke Emezi
Author and multimedia artist Akwaeke Emezi joins us with their latest novel Little Rot, set in the underworld of a Nigerian city. We unpack the psychology of evil, and what is interesting to Akwaeke about exploring different genres. We also discuss their moral boundaries when it comes to writing about difficult subjects.The Stacks Book Club selection for June is It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. We will discuss the book on June 26th with Melissa Mogollon.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/06/19/ep-324-akwaeke-emeziConnect with Akwaeke: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

Jun 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
Ep. 323 You’ve Got to Want Depth with Chelsea Devantez
Friend of The Stacks Chelsea Devantez is here to tell us about her debut memoir I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway). Chelsea explains how podcasting about celebrity memoirs has impacted her writing, and what she found important to include in her own story. Plus we learn how the structure of Chelsea’s book is a reflection of one major event in her life.The Stacks Book Club selection for June is It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. We will discuss the book on June 26th with Melissa Mogollon.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/06/12/ep-323-chelsea-devantezConnect with Chelsea: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Glamorous TrashConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

Jun 5, 2024 • 58min
Ep. 322 I Think Voicy is Great with Melissa Mogollon
Today we are speaking with Melissa Mogollon about her debut novel Oye, a tragicomic family drama told in a series of one-sided phone calls from one sister to another. Melissa shares her approach to writing a book all in dialogue, and what it was like to write from a teenager’s POV. We also talk about the term "voicy" and whether or not it is a pejorative.The Stacks Book Club selection for June is It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. We will discuss the book on June 26th with Melissa Mogollon.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/06/05/ep-322-melissa-mogollonConnect with Melissa: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

May 29, 2024 • 1h 2min
Ep. 321 No Name in the Street by James Baldwin — The Stacks Book Club (Yahdon Israel)
It is The Stacks Book Club Day, and we're celebrating James Baldwin and his centennial year by reading his book, No Name in the Street. We're joined again by Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster- and founder of Literaryswag- Yahdon Israel. We talk about the delicate balance between public and private, in life and in memoir. We also examine the usefulness of public beefs, and Baldwin’s lasting legacy.Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our June book club pick will be.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/05/29/ep-321-no-name-in-the-streetConnect with Yahdon: Instagram | Twitter | Website | LiteraryswagConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

May 24, 2024 • 13min
Unabridged: The Best Books of 2024…So Far with Cree Myles and Sara Hildreth
*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser*For today’s Unabridged, book lovers Cree Myles (All Ways Black) and Sara Hildreth (Fiction Matters) are back by popular demand to discuss the best books 2024, so far. We also get into our most disappointing reads, our favorite backlist titles, and what we’re most looking forward to for the rest of the year. *This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon and our Substack subscribers. To join a community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below.JOIN PATREON OR SUBSTACK TO LISTENYou can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:http://www.thestackspodcast.com/unabridged/2024/05/24/tsu-34-best-so-farConnect with Cree: Instagram | Twitter | All Ways BlackConnect with Sara: Instagram | Fiction Matters | Novel PairingsConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

May 22, 2024 • 54min
Ep. 320 It’s Really Hard to Change the Patriarchy with Sierra Greer
Sierra Greer is the novelist behind the new speculative fiction book Annie Bot, about what happens when an AI robot designed to be the perfect girlfriend learns to become human. We talk today about how this novel came to Sierra, why she chose to write under a pen name for this book, and how she was thinking about race and feminism throughout the novel.The Stacks Book Club selection for May is No Name in the Street by James Baldwin. We will discuss the book on May 29th with Yahdon Israel.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/05/22/ep-320-sierra-greerConnect with Sierra: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.

May 15, 2024 • 1h 2min
Ep. 319 The Vulnerability Is the Point with Carvell Wallace
Writer and podcaster Carvell Wallace joins us to discuss their debut memoir Another Word for Love. Carvell describes the challenge of writing a trauma memoir without making it all about the trauma, and reveals how they thought about connecting with their audience. We also talk about how Carvell's past as an actor impacts the way they think about writing stories. The Stacks Book Club selection for May is No Name in the Street by James Baldwin. We will discuss the book on May 29th with Yahdon Israel.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/05/15/ep-319-carvell-wallaceConnect with Carvell: Instagram | Twitter | Website | SubstackConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | 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.


