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The Stacks

Traci Thomas
Books
A Love Song For Ricki Wilde
Romance Novels
Racism In Medicine
Harlem Renaissance
Literary Fiction
Book Recommendations
Health Equity
Shakespeare
Contemporary Literature
Black Representation In Medicine
Magical Realism
Patreon
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Romeo and Juliet
Reading Goals
The Flexner Report
Emergency Medicine
Pet To Threat Phenomenon
Pop Culture

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.thes... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes488Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Stacks

Latest Episodes

Today on The Stacks, we’re joined by bestselling author Tayari Jones to talk about her newest book, Kin. This novel follows the lifelong friendship between Vernice and Annie, two motherless girls whose paths diverge in adulthood. In our conversation,... more

YouTube

Today on the show, we’re joined by writer, literary critic, and Harvard University professor Namwali Serpell to discuss her latest book, On Morrison. In this book, Namwali offers a deep dive into Toni Morrison’s career, guiding readers through close ... more

It’s The Stacks Book Club day, and we’re joined by New York Times bestselling romance novelist Jasmine Guillory to discuss Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Set in 1858, this book follows Hester Wyatt, a conductor on Michigan’s Underground Railroad, who is ... more

YouTube

Today on The Stacks, we’re joined by author, sociologist, law professor, and social justice advocate Dorothy E. Roberts to discuss her newest book, The Mixed Marriage Project: A Memoir of Love, Race, and Family. In this powerful memoir, Dorothy recou... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Namwali Serpell
Award-winning writer, literary critic, Harvard professor
Harvard University
Episode: Ep. 414 Toni Morrison Broke the Novel Form Open with Namwali Serpell
Dorothy Roberts
Sociologist, law professor, and award-winning author
Episode: Ep. 412 The Racial Caste System of America with Dorothy Roberts
Vanessa Díaz
Author and professor specializing in Bad Bunny and politics
University
Episode: Unabridged: Bad Bunny Bowl with Vanessa Díaz & Petra Rivera-Rideau
Petra Rivera-Rideau
Author and professor specializing in Bad Bunny and politics
University
Episode: Unabridged: Bad Bunny Bowl with Vanessa Díaz & Petra Rivera-Rideau
Jasmine Guillory
New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Wedding Date and The Proposal
Episode: Ep. 410 Romance Is Helpful When Times Are Scary with Jasmine Guillory
Beverly Jenkins
Acclaimed romance author with a significant catalog
Episode: Ep. 410 Romance Is Helpful When Times Are Scary with Jasmine Guillory
Cree Myles
Curator of Penguin Random House's Always Black
Penguin Random House
Episode: Unabridged: Most Anticipated Books of 2026 with Sara Hildreth and Cree Myles
Mary Clare Jalonick
Associated Press reporter and author of 'Storm at the Capitol, An Oral History of January 6th'.
Associated Press
Episode: Ep. 408 Storming the Capitol with Mary Clare Jalonick
Jacob Soboroff
Award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author.
MSNBC
Episode: Ep. 407 The Fires of the Future with Jacob Soboroff

Host

Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Not worth my money

    The episode was supposed to be ALL THINGS Bad Bunny and a review of the halftime show. I never heard another point of view as these two ladies are clearly fans.

    I was hoping to hear something a little more moderate esp in light of the outrage over the Epstein files and children being trafficked that there would be a discussion about scantily clad young girls twerking while a man stood over them grabbing his crotch and then we broadcast this during a family show?

    Point well taken about Puerto Ri... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DelsneyJane
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing!

    I’m a new listener who has been enjoying older episodes, not just the most recent ones. I’m finally pausing to offer a review because the episode with John J. Lennon is a real jaw dropper! Especially because I had listened to Mitchell S. Jackson’s reference to his time “inside,” this episode resonated powerfully as Traci’s approach centered Lennon’s identity as a writer while also refusing to act as if his material conditions are a non-issue. A stunning conversation! #MuchRespect

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @ProfKori
    United States5 months ago
  • Lacks Nuance

    It was a torture for Karl (Lilac People) to have to conform to binary gender norms and Tracy calls him having to do that to survive in the US a “happy ending”. Tracy’s reading lacks nuance. No conversation about third gender at all!! Having to keep up a facade 24/7 under penalty of punishment/death isn’t a “happy ending”. Guest Denne knows there’s more to the ship scene and others but let herself get swayed by someone who p much just hates fiction.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Alixir OftheGobs
    United States6 months ago
  • Incredibly annoying

    No thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nbsfmc
    United States6 months ago
  • An intimate conversation series

    I love how The Stacks allows me to see the writer as a real person, someone who is a full human on and off the page. I really enjoyed the God Help the Child episode, it's a Morrison book I've always found famously under-discussed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hannaheko
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are accessible, insightful, and great for discovering new reads.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, engaging interview style and deep book knowledge.
Guests are top-tier, with a mix of authors and journalists.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#44
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#136
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#112
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#202
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#246
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#57
Indonesia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 412 The Racial Caste System of America with Dorothy Roberts
Q: Can you just tell folks what the book is about?
The book is about my discovery regarding my father's research on interracial marriage and how it relates to my understanding of my family, my parents' marriage, and my own identity.
Ep. 410 Romance Is Helpful When Times Are Scary with Jasmine Guillory
Q: What do you think it is about high-powered black women, lawyers, and politicians who write romance novels?
It's about wanting to tap into the joy that black women experience beyond just the struggle; showcasing love, family, and joy.
Ep. 409 Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert — The Stacks Book Club (Christiana Mbakwe Medina)
Q: What was the point of the book as a whole?
Traci struggled with the clarity of the thesis, feeling that while the individual chapters are strong, the overarching message was less clear.
Ep. 409 Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert — The Stacks Book Club (Christiana Mbakwe Medina)
Q: What did you think of the book?
Christiana enjoyed the book and felt it was ambitious and a great cultural history.
Ep. 407 The Fires of the Future with Jacob Soboroff
Q: How did you balance the politics and personal in your account?
I didn't want to get too granular on the city county politics; I focus more on the factual reporting.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Stacks

What is The Stacks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful literary interview show centered on books, authors, and their broader cultural implications. Across episodes, the host guides conversations with writers, journalists, and scholars, blending close readings, author insights, and discussions about race, gender, and society, often tying fiction to current events and cultural trends. A standout element is the long-running book club format and a warm, curious interviewing style that surfaces personal readings, archival discoveries, and book recommendations, making it a rich resource for listeners seeking deeper literary context and diverse perspectives.

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How many listeners does The Stacks get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Stacks have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Stacks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Stacks:

1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. The Book Review
3. It's Been a Minute
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of The Stacks are there?

The Stacks launched 8 years ago and published 488 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Stacks?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Stacks?

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What guests have appeared on The Stacks?

Recent guests on The Stacks include:

1. Namwali Serpell
2. Dorothy Roberts
3. Vanessa Díaz
4. Petra Rivera-Rideau
5. Jasmine Guillory
6. Beverly Jenkins
7. Cree Myles
8. Mary Clare Jalonick

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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