

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

Jan 9, 2019 • 1h 9min
Ep. 41 Comedy, Race, Travel and Books with Tawny Newsome
We are joined by Tawny Newsome, a modern day renaissance woman. Tawny is known for her work as an actress, comedian, and podcaster. She is the co-host of the Yo, is this Racist? podcast, and The Super Group podcast. Tawny talks with us about racism through her lens as a comedian, reading all the travel memoirs (even the bad ones), and what Leonardo Dicaprio movie is also one of her most beloved books. Plus all the book lady comedian memoir recommendations you can handle, so get your TBRs ready. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2019/01/09/ep-41-at-the-intersection-of-comedy-and-racism-with-tawny-newsomeConnect with Tawny: Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 2, 2019 • 55min
Ep. 40 The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — The Stacks Book Club (Alec Penix)
To kick off the new year, we're talking self-help with Don Miguel Ruiz's best selling book, The Four Agreements. Fitness guru and author, Alec Penix joins us for this The Stacks Book Club discussion. The book lays out four pillars to follow in order to live a happier and more free life. There are no spoilers today, so join us for this conversation on personal growth and self love.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2019/01/02/ep-40-the-four-agreements-by-don-miguel-ruiz-the-stacks-book-clubConnect with Alec: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 31, 2018 • 40min
The Short Stacks 3: Best of 2018//Lauren Fanella
Its the last day of 2018, and we're celebrating with our very own wrap up, New Year's Eve show. We brought back friend of the pod, Lauren Fanella (who you might remember from episodes 15 and 16, where we talked about Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore). Lauren joins me to talk about each of our top five books from 2018, and the five books we're most looking forward to in 2019. Get your TBR ready!You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/31/the-short-stacks-3-best-of-2018Connect with Lauren: Instagram | TwitterConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 26, 2018 • 52min
Ep. 39 Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit with Alec Penix
We're getting you ready for your mind and body goals in 2019, with our guest celebrity trainer Alec Penix. Alec is the author of a brand new health and fitness book called Seven Sundays. It is a guided 43-day program that focuses on food, sleep, exercise, and spirituality. We also discuss Alec's love of Self-Help Books, reading to learn, and some tips to get you through the holidays.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/26/ep-39-changing-your-lifestyle-with-alec-penixConnect with Alec: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 19, 2018 • 58min
Ep. 38 Open City by Teju Cole — The Stacks Book Club (Behzad Dabu)
This week actor Behzad Dabu (How to Get Away with Murder, The Chi) joins us again to discuss Teju Cole's novel, Open City. The book is a meditation on borders, terror, and belonging set against the back drop of a post 9/11 New York City, and centers a Nigerian immigrant as our guide. This week we discuss the book in detail, there are spoilers, however this book is less about plot and more about big ideas. Listen at your own discretion.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/19/ep-38-open-city-by-teju-cole-the-stacks-book-clubConnect with Behzad: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 17, 2018 • 33min
The Short Stacks 2 – Jesse Byrd//Real Jungle Tales
We're talking all things children's books this week on our mini episode with award winning author Jesse Byrd. In addition to writing children's books, Jesse runs his own publishing house (Jesse B Creative), and does children's book project management. Jesse's most recent picture book is Real Jungle Tales and follows a little Native American girl, Zee, who comes up with an ingenious way to avoid punishment, and get candy from her friends on Halloween. We talk with Jesse about his writing process, working with an illustrator, and why it is important to tell stories that center children of color.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/17/mini-2-jesse-byrd-real-jungle-talesConnect with Jesse: Website | Instagram | FacebookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 12, 2018 • 1h 3min
Ep. 37 Representation, Basketball, and Books with Behzad Dabu
Today on The Stacks, our guest is actor, producer, and activist Behzad Dabu. Behzad is most well known for his roles on How to Get Away with Murder and The Chi. We talk about plays that are great on the page, representation on screen, and his love of basketball books.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/12/ep-37-creativity-basketball-and-books-with-behzad-dabuConnect with Behzad: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 5, 2018 • 55min
Ep. 36 If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim — The Stacks Book Club (Aja Gabel)
Author Aja Gabel is back for The Stacks Book Club conversation this week. We're discussing If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim. The book follows one woman, Haemi Lee, her life and relationships during and in the years following the Korean War. Our conversation covers what it means to survive, feminism, war stories, and more. There are spoilers this week, but if you want to get to know If You Leave Me better without spoilers, listen to our first episode of The Short Stacks feature Crystal Hana Kim.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/05/ep-36-the-stacks-book-club-if-you-leave-me-by-crystal-hana-kimConnect with Aja: Website | Instagram | TwitterConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 3, 2018 • 38min
The Short Stacks 1: Crystal Hana Kim//If You Leave Me
Its time for our first ever Short Stack! These mini episodes will come out every other Monday, and feature a conversation with an author about their book and writing process. We are thrilled to have author Crystal Hana Kim for this inaugural episode. Crystal is the author of this week's The Stacks Book Club pick, If You Leave Me. Crystal shares with us where the idea for this book came from, what it is like to hear from readers, and rituals she has around her writing. Don't worry, there are no spoilers on any of the Short Stacks, listen and enjoy!You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/12/03/short-stack-1-crystal-hana-kimConnect with Crystal: Website | Instagram | TwitterConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 28, 2018 • 1h
Ep. 35 Prodigies, Time Machines, and Beautiful Writing with Aja Gabel
This week on The Stacks our guest is author Aja Gabel. Aja's debut novel, The Ensemble, came out in 2018, and she talks with us about writing her book, cover design, which writers inspire her, and why she got a PhD in creative writing. We also talk music prodigies and time machines, which is to say, we talk about a little of everything.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2018/11/28/ep-35-reading-with-aja-gabelConnect with Aja: Website | Instagram | TwitterConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeTo support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


