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.
This week, we’re joined by Justine Kay, one of the hosts of the reality TV show podcast, 2 Black Girls, 1 Rose. We talk about our thoughts and feelings around optimism in the face of political anxieties and how reading has shaped our thinking about what is possible. We also dive into Justine’s newfound love of romance novels and revisit some of our favorite reality TV memories.
The Stacks Book Club pick for November is Luster by Raven Leilani. We will discuss the book on November 27th with Justine Kay returning as our guest.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://www.thestackspodcast.com/2024/11/06/ep-344-justine-kay
Connect with Justine: Instagram | Twitter | Website
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It’s The Stacks Book Club Day, and we’re diving into The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Franklin Leonard returns as our guest to examine this powerful novel set in a brutal Jim Crow-era reform school. In today’s conversation, we discuss the ways Nickel Academy serves as a metaphor for America, exploring themes of good versus evil and the resilience required to confront systemic injustice.
There are spoilers on today's episode.
Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our November book club pick will be.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestacks-staging.squarespace.com/2024/10/30/ep-343-the-nickel-boys
Connect with Franklin: Instagram | Twitter | Website
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Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
Author and activist Jessica Valenti joins The Stacks to discuss her latest book, Abortion: Our Bodies, Their Lies, and the Truths We Use to Win. In today’s conversation, we explore why the left struggles to effectively talk about abortion and the impact of abortion bans on maternal healthcare. Jessica explains the significance of “states' rights” in this debate, why she believes compromise around abortion is impossible, and how her Abortion, Every Day newsletter differs from the book.
The Stacks Book Club pick for October is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. We will discuss the book on October 30th with Franklin Leonard returning as our guest.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/10/23/ep-342-Jessica-Valenti
Connect with Jessica: Instagram | Twitter | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser*
This is an abridged version of Traci’s live show “One for the Books.” This time, she’s joined by two incredible guests, Danzy Senna and Zach Stafford, for a conversation on Danzy's newest book Colored Television, passing narratives, and the word "mulatto". It's an evening filled with big laughs and even bigger questions around what it means to be mixed in America.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://www.thestackspodcast.com/unabridged/2024/10/18/tsu-39-danzy-senna-zach-stafford
Connect with Danzy: Facebook | Website
Connect with Zach: Instagram | Twitter | Website
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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.
This week, we’re joined by anthropologist and author Jason De León to discuss his latest book, Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling. We explore the ethical complexities of ethnography, the distinctions between human smuggling and trafficking, and Jason’s decision to place himself as a character in his work. Jason also shares how his experiences at the U.S.-Mexico border have shaped his approach to storytelling and what he believes could help address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The Stacks Book Club pick for October is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. We will discuss the book on October 30th with Franklin Leonard returning as our guest.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/10/16/ep-341-jason-de-leon
Connect with Jason: Instagram | Twitter | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
Journalist and author Jesselyn Cook joins The Stacks this week to discuss her new book, The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family. In this episode, we dive into the origins of QAnon, how the conspiracy theory has evolved since its inception in 2017, and why certain individuals are more vulnerable to these beliefs. Jesselyn also breaks down how to approach conversations with loved ones who have fallen into the QAnon rabbit hole, offering insight into the far-reaching effects conspiracy theories have on our relationships and communities.
The Stacks Book Club pick for October is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. We will discuss the book on October 30th with Franklin Leonard returning as our guest.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/10/09/ep-340-Jesselyn-Cook
Connect with Jesselyn: Instagram | Twitter | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
Actor and producer Franklin Leonard joins The Stacks this week to discuss his groundbreaking work with The Black List. Known for revolutionizing the way Hollywood discovers screenplays, Franklin recently expanded The Black List into the world of fiction. This new initiative gives writers a platform to showcase unpublished manuscripts and connect with key players in the publishing industry. In today’s episode, we dive into why Franklin wanted to venture into the book world, how The Black List works, and what this expansion means for emerging writers.
The Stacks Book Club pick for October is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. We will discuss the book on October 30th with Franklin Leonard returning as our guest.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/10/02/ep-339-franklin-leonard
Connect with Franklin: Instagram | Twitter | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
It’s The Stacks Book Club Day, and we’re discussing Jazz by Toni Morrison. Professor Eve Dunbar joins us to explore the lives of Joe and Violet Trace, as their relationship is tested by love, betrayal, and violence in 1920s Harlem. In today's discussion, we dive into the significance of the book’s title and how it informs the novel’s improvisational style. We also examine Morrison’s relationship with her characters, the power of naming, and her exploration of closeness through violence.
There are spoilers on today's episode.
Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our October book club pick will be.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/09/25/ep-338-jazz
Connect with Eve: Twitter
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser*
In this episode of The Stacks Unabridged, we’re joined by George M. Johnson, author of Flamboyants, to explore the often-overlooked Black queer icons of the Harlem Renaissance. George discusses why they chose to write about these influential figures and how they used rumors and gossip as historical sources to bring these stories to life. We also dive into the current wave of book banning, exploring what’s truly driving it and the common misconceptions surrounding this troubling trend. It’s a powerful conversation about history, censorship, and resilience.
*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 LISTEN
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://www.thestackspodcast.com/unabridged/2024/09/20/tsu-38-george-m-johnson
Connect with George: Instagram | Twitter | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
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.
Actor and comedian Laci Mosley (iCarly, A Black Lady Sketch Show) joins The Stacks to discuss her new book, Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes, a hilarious and subversive essay collection inspired by her podcast of the same name. Today, we talk about the scams that shape our world and why Laci wanted to write this book. Laci offers up her takes on the different types of scams, why not all scams are bad, and how scamming has shaped her career and personal life.
Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our next book club pick will be.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/09/18/ep-337-laci-mosley
Connect with Laci: Instagram | Twitter
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
Danzy Senna joins The Stacks to discuss her latest novel, Colored Television, a satirical take on one novelist's attempt to leave books behind and strike it rich in Hollywood. Today, Danzy explains why she uses the word "mulatto" in her work, how humor is integral to the mixed experience, and why all her characters make such bad decisions.
Don't forget, The Stacks Book Club pick for September is Jazz by Toni Morrison. We will discuss the book on September 25th with Eve Dunbar.
You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:
https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/09/11/ep-336-danzy-senna
Connect with Danzy: Facebook | Website
Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe
SUPPORT THE STACKS
Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon
To 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.
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