The Stacks

Today we are joined by Yahdon Israel - writer, founder of Literaryswag Book Club, and Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster. A Brooklyn native and community-builder, Yahdon breaks down the distinction between the literary world and the publishing industry. Plus, Yahdon breaks down how he thinks about audience as who are you writing to, and who are you writing for? 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/2024/05/01/ep-317-yahdon-israel Episode Transcript Connect with Yahdon: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Literaryswag 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 writer Hala Alyan is back to discuss this month's pick, The January Children by Safia Elhillo. It is an award-winning poetry collection by the Sudanese-American poet Safia Elhillo. We examine the prevailing themes of displacement and duality, the urgency with which a poet writes, and we ask, how should one judge poetry? Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our May book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/24/ep-316-the-january-children Episode Transcript Connect with Hala: Instagram | 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* If you've ever felt like you didn't "get it" when it comes to poetry, The Stacks is here for a little poetry therapy featuring five spectacular poets breaking down their favorite poems. We are joined by José Olivarez, Morgan Parker, Saeed Jones, Nate Marshall and Gabrielle Bates. Each has selected a poem to read with Traci; then they discuss what they notice, how it works, and why it excites them. This episode is for folks who love poetry, those who cower in fear, and everyone in between. *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://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/19/tsu-33-poetry-therapy Connect with José: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack Connect with Morgan: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with Saeed: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack Connect with Nate: Instagram | Website | Substack Connect with Gabrielle: 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.

Journalist and bestselling author Keith O'Brien joins this episode to talk about his new book Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball. Keith reveals his thoughts on Rose's complex story, which is anything but black and white. We also discuss the steroid era of baseball, Pete Rose's legacy around race, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Stacks Book Club selection for April is The January Children by Safia Elhillo. We will discuss the book on April 24th with Hala Alyan. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/17/ep-315-keith-obrien Episode Transcript Connect with Keith: 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.

First-time novelist and award-winning writer Andrew Boryga talks about his new book Victim, a satirical take on diversity initiatives, self-promotion and the art of the hustle. Andrew reveals how he thought about audience while composing the book, and discusses the difference between attention and privilege. The Stacks Book Club selection for April is The January Children by Safia Elhillo. We will discuss the book on April 24th with Hala Alyan. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/10/ep-314-andrew-boryga Episode Transcript Connect with Andrew: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack 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.

Writer, poet and psychologist Hala Alyan joins this episode to discuss her newest poetry collection The Moon That Turns You Back. We hear about how she thinks about form, and cultivating empathy in art. Hala also talks about her experience promoting a book during the ongoing violence attacks on Gaza, and what it's like for her therapy patients to read her work. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/03/ep-313-hala-alyan Episode Transcript Connect with Hala: Instagram | 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 episode of The Stacks Unabridged is a special AMA session with your host in the hot seat. We collected questions from social media and our Patreon and Substack communities, and Mr. Stacks asked Traci everything you wanted to know. You'll hear about how Traci reads for work versus pleasure, her favorite musicals, 2024 baseball predictions, and much more. *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://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/29/tsu-32-ask-me-anything 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.

Flawless author Elise Hu returns to discuss our March book club pick Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We talk about the satirical novel's themes of assimilation, the performance of imposed identity and the myth of the model minority. We also ask, who gets to be "American"? Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our April book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/27/ep-312-interior-chinatown Episode Transcript Connect with Elise: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack | TED Talks Daily 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.

Sociologists and co-authors Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans join The Stacks to talk about their book The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels. The book follows four people whose bodies go unclaimed after their deaths, and how and why this happens. We also discuss how Pamela and Stefan think ethically about reporting and writing about the dead, why being claimed matters, and how they took care of themselves while spending eight years with this subject matter. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We will discuss the book on March 27th with Elise Hu. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/20/ep-311-pamela-prickett-stefan-timmermans Episode Transcript Connect with Pamela: Twitter | Website Connect with Stefan: 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.

Tommy Orange joins The Stacks today to discuss his new novel Wandering Stars. We talk about writing this prequel/sequel to his debut nove,l the Pulitzer Prize finalist, There There. Tommy reveals how he thinks about the relationship between faith and addiction, and why he writes about Oakland. He also talks about waiting until adulthood to finally see himself represented in popular culture, and how not seeing himself is a driving force in his work. Traci also asks Tommy if he has any plans to write nonfiction. There are no spoilers in this episode. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We will discuss the book on March 27th with Elise Hu. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/13/ep-310-tommy-orange Episode Transcript Connect with Tommy: 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.

Author and TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu joins The Stacks to discuss her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. Elise explains how Korea became a pop culture superpower, and how she approached writing about a culture outside of her own. We also discuss "cultural technology" and anti-Blackness in Korean beauty standards, and Elise slips into journalist mode to interview Traci. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We will discuss the book on March 27th with Elise Hu. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/06/ep-309-elise-hu Episode Transcript Connect with Elise: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack | TED Talks Daily Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

Physician and bestselling author Uché Blackstock returns to discuss the memoir-manifesto Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin. We talk about viral justice and viral injustice, and how American individualism is one of the biggest challenges to the work of abolition. We also unpack why we struggle with owning the power we have, and how viral justice can show up in our communities, from education to labor and beyond. Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our March book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/02/28/ep-308-viral-justice Episode Transcript Connect with Uché: Instagram | Twitter Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

*patron-only bonus episode teaser* This episode features audio from a February live show at Vroman's Bookstore with NYT bestselling novelist Kiley Reid (Such a Fun Age, Come and Get It). Kiley talks about her approach to character development and satire; she also reveals what she hopes her audiences take away from her work, and why she primarily cares about being entertaining. *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 LISTEN You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/02/23/tsu-31-kiley-reid Connect with Kiley: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

This episode features a discussion with journalist and writer Lauren Markham about her new book A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging. She explains why Greece interested her as a base for her writing about immigration, and how the border is used as a tool for autocracy. We also talk about the criminalization of migrants and refugees and what abolition in immigration could look like. The Stacks Book Club selection for February is Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin. We will discuss the book on February 28th with Uché Blackstock. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/02/21/ep-307-lauren-markham Episode Transcript Connect with Lauren: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

Romance novelist Tia Williams visits the show to discuss her latest book A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. Tia shares why she wanted to venture into historical romance, how being a beauty editor has helped her create characters, and why telling this fated-mates story forced her to work even harder than usual. Plus, we break down trends in romance covers. The Stacks Book Club selection for February is Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin. We will discuss the book on February 28th with Uché Blackstock. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/02/14/ep-306-tia-williams Episode Transcript Connect with Tia: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

Physician, educator and author Uché Blackstock shares her New York Times Bestselling book Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine. The book is both a memoir and an indictment of disparities in our healthcare system. We hear what legacy means to Uché, and how racism shows up in medicine for Black doctors. We also talk about her most beloved books, and the Pet to Threat phenomenon. The Stacks Book Club selection for February is Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin. We will discuss the book on February 28th with Uché Blackstock. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/02/07/ep-305-uche-blackstock Episode Transcript Connect with Uché: Instagram | Twitter Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

Vibe Check host Zach Stafford returns to discuss our January book club selection, the 2001 satirical novel Erasure by Percival Everett. Our conversation today delves into ownership of art and stories, what the joke of the novel is, the title of the book, and we even dabble (spoiler-free) into the movie based on the book, American Fiction. There are spoilers for the book, Erasure, on today's episode. Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our January book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/01/31/ep-304-erasure Episode Transcript Connect with Zach: Instagram | Twitter | Vibe Check Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

*patron-only bonus episode teaser* For today's Unabridged, book lovers Cree Myles (All Ways Black) and Sara Hildreth (Fiction Matters) join us to reveal their most anticipated reads for the first half of 2024. We talk about our reading goals for the year, list a few 2024 books we've already liked, and get into the books we're most looking forward to. *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 LISTEN You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/01/26/tsu-30-2024-most-anticipated Connect with Cree: Instagram | Twitter | All Ways Black Connect with Sara: Instagram | Fiction Matters | Novel Pairings Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

We are joined by poet and debut novelist Kaveh Akbar to discuss his book Martyr!, the story of a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants on a quest for answers and meaning. Kaveh explains how fonts play into his revision process, and why he wanted to proselytize the art he likes most in the book. He also reveals what he found most difficult about prose, compared to writing poetry. The Stacks Book Club selection for January is Erasure by Percival Everett. We will discuss the book on January 31st with Zach Stafford. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/01/24/ep-303-kaveh-akbar Episode Transcript Connect with Kaveh: Instagram | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.

Educator and author Carolina Ixta joins The Stacks to discuss her debut novel Shut Up, This is Serious. Set in East Oakland, the story explores teen friendship, generational cycles and authenticity. Carolina talks about the process of writing about sex in Young Adult fiction, and confronting anti-Black racism in Latine communities. The Stacks Book Club selection for January is Erasure by Percival Everett. We will discuss the book on January 31st with Zach Stafford. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/01/17/ep-302-carolina-ixta Episode Transcript Connect with Carolina: Instagram | Twitter | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | 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.