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Artwork for The Stacks

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
Pet To Threat Phenomenon
Emergency Medicine
The Flexner Report
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes469Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureBooksArts

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Artwork for The Stacks

Latest Episodes

*This is a teaser for this Patreon and Substack-only bonus episode, click here to listen to the full episode*

Ever wondered who else brings The Stacks to life? Well, lucky for you, you’re about to meet them. For the first time ever, we're bringing y... more

Today on The Stacks, we are joined by author and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes to talk about her new novel, The White Hot. This book explores an exhausted young mother’s life-changing, “white hot” rage-induced decision to aba... more

Today on The Stacks, we are joined by Sarah Aziza to talk about her debut book, The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders. In this memoir, Sarah explores her struggle with anorexia through the lens of her family’s history of violent displacemen... more

Today on The Stacks, we are joined by Mikey Friedman, the founder of Page Break, a New York–based, weekend-long retreat centered on community reading. We discuss all things Page Break, including how it came to be, the book selection process, the focu... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sarah Aziza
Author of The Hollow Half, which intertwines her personal struggles with anorexia with her Palestinian family's history.
Episode: Ep. 398 Writing Palestine Alive with Sarah Aziza
Mikey Friedman
Founder of Page Break, a New York-based weekend-long retreat centered on reading one novel together out loud as a community
Page Break
Episode: Ep. 397 A Book Club in a Weekend with Mikey Friedman
Angela Flournoy
Author of The Wilderness
Episode: Ep. 396 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley — The Stacks Book Club (Angela Flournoy)
Kiley Reid
Author and judge for the Booker Prize
Episode: Unabridged: Behind the Booker Prize with Kiley Reid
Jade Chang
Author and journalist, discussing her new book, What a Time to Be Alive.
Episode: Ep. 395 DIY Fame with Jade Chang
Jordan Thomas
Wildland firefighter and anthropologist
Episode: Ep. 394 Wildfires Are a Systemic Issue with Jordan Thomas
John J. Lennon
Prison journalist, author of The Tragedy of True Crime
Prison Journalist and Author
Episode: Ep. 393 A Guilty Man Is More Interesting with John J. Lennon
Denne Michele Norris
Author, editor, and overall outstanding literary citizen
Episode: Ep. 391 The Lilac People by Milo Todd — The Stacks Book Club (Denne Michele Norris)
Cleyvis Natera
Essayist, critic, and novelist known for her debut novel, Neruda on the Park.
Episode: Ep. 389 The Resort Is a Microcosm of Society with Cleyvis Natera

Host

Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks, Traci Thomas engages in insightful conversations about literature, offering deep dives into how books influence lives and cultural understanding.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • 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 States2 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 States2 months ago
  • Incredibly annoying

    No thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nbsfmc
    United States2 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 States2 months ago
  • Octavia Butler

    I found the books she wrote about the Parables more spiritual &.cultural than religious. It was similar as Braiding Sweet Grass. Some of us aren’t aware of our spirituality but it is there within us. Others wear it on our sleeves. The words of Earthseed philosophy, I found very comforting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Humanity is
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host's ability to connect with guests and elicit genuine discussions is frequently noted as a strong point, enhancing the listening experience.
Listeners praise the engaging and thoughtful interviews, often highlighting the diversity of books discussed and how the conversations inspire them to read more.
Some reviews reflect a desire for more attention to sensitive topics within literary discussions, showing the audience's expectation for depth and sensitivity in content.
Many appreciate the insightful critiques and the way complex topics are tackled with care and consideration.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#84
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#175
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#45
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#55
India/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#69
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 398 Writing Palestine Alive with Sarah Aziza
Q: So how do you see yourself and your work in this lineage?
I see myself as a very grateful, wide-eyed little sister wanting to engage with the voices of Black feminist scholars and others who influenced my understanding.
Ep. 398 Writing Palestine Alive with Sarah Aziza
Q: When did your treatment and sort of looking back into your family and making these connections become something that you knew needed to be on the page versus just part of your process of life?
The writing started sort of in this, and you might hear me use a few kind of like woo words, in a dream-like state where I was just trying to record these childhood memories that were coming back to me.
Unabridged: Behind the Booker Prize with Kiley Reid
Q: Can you just tell us, for people who don't know, broad strokes, what is the Booker Prize?
The Booker Prize is a fiction book contest for all English-speaking books that are published in either the UK and or Ireland.
Ep. 394 Wildfires Are a Systemic Issue with Jordan Thomas
Q: How do you stay focused as a firefighter in extreme heat?
You have to push yourself as hard as you can and maintain conversation while racing up to the top of a mountain; it's a test of both physical endurance and focus.
Ep. 394 Wildfires Are a Systemic Issue with Jordan Thomas
Q: What do you think has changed since your time serving as a hotshot?
The political environment, particularly the Trump administration's impact on federal staffing and resources for wildfire management, has drastically affected the ability to effectively combat wildfires.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Stacks

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

Focused on literature, this podcast features lively discussions with authors and scholars who explore the deeper connections between books, culture, race, and politics. Each episode often brings a unique perspective on meaningful texts, ranging from fiction to critical essays. The host engages guests in conversations that not only highlight their literary contributions but also dive into personal narratives and societal issues. The format includes monthly episodes dedicated to in-depth analysis of a selected book, enhancing the listener's understanding and appreciation of literature.

Listeners can expect insightful discussions that challenge perspectives and foster a greater love for reading. The engaging nature of the conversations, the v... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Stacks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Stacks:

1. Vibe Check
2. Book Riot - The Podcast
3. Poured Over
4. All the Books!
5. Sarah's Bookshelves Live

How many episodes of The Stacks are there?

The Stacks launched 8 years ago and published 469 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Stacks?

Recent guests on The Stacks include:

1. Sarah Aziza
2. Mikey Friedman
3. Angela Flournoy
4. Kiley Reid
5. Jade Chang
6. Jordan Thomas
7. John J. Lennon
8. Denne Michele Norris

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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