The Stacks

Today we’re joined by the multitalented LaDarrion Williams about his fantasy debut  Blood at the Root , which re-imagines a magical academy as an HBCU. LaDarrion explains how being a playwright differs from being a novelist, how he has navigated criticism from readers, and why he wanted to write a Young Adult story for Black boys. The Stacks Book Club pick for August is Master Slave Husband W...

Jay Ellis, star of HBO's Insecure,  joins The Stacks to discuss his new memoir,  Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood . We talk about how this book came to be, where Jay’s imaginary friend came from and the purpose he served in his life. We also consider productivity versus creativity, and the books that made Jay fall in love with reading. The Stacks...

It’s The Stacks Book Club Day, and we are discussing the classic post-apocalyptic novel Parable of the Sower , which is set now, in July 2024. We’re joined again by Lessons for Survival author Emily Raboteau . We talk about what we think of Lauren, the book’s main character, and what we make of the religious and romantic elements in the story. We also contextualize the book’s iconic author, Octavi...

Author Mateo Askaripour is back on The Stacks to talk about his sophomore novel,  This Great Hemisphere , a work of speculative fiction about an invisible woman on a mission to solve a high profile political murder. Mateo explains how he built the book’s world - set 500 years in the future - and why he doesn’t think about genre with his work. We also discuss the performanc...

*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser* This edition of The Stacks Unabridged is dedicated to the New York Times’  100 Best Books of the 21st Century . First we talk with Gilbert Cruz, the editor of the NYT Book Review, about the creation of the list and all the excitement it generated. Then, we welcome a panel of readers - Sara Hildreth, Hunter McClendon and Lupita Aquino - to disc...

We are joined by journalist and author Adam Higginbotham, whose new book is  Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space . Adam explains why he wanted to tell the story of the Challenger, and the importance of focusing on its crew. He also reveals how he kept all the people and puzzle pieces straight, and tells a wild story about an unpublished memoir that he discove...

We are joined by Katherine Lewin, founder of the hosting shop Big Night in NYC , to discuss her new cookbook  Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties . Katherine explains how she makes hosting feel easy and welcoming and shares the keys to having a successful Big Night. We also learn about her development process and how she decided on which recipes to include in the book. The Stacks...

Today author and essayist Emily Raboteau joins The Stacks to discuss her book Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against "The Apocalypse." Emily explains what has changed for her since writing this meditation on justice, race and the environment. And we learn why it’s so important to talk about climate change with the people in our lives. The Stacks Book Club pick for July is Parable of the Sower by...

For this edition of The Stacks Book Club, Melissa Mogollon returns to dissect the popular romantic novel  It Ends with Us  by Colleen Hoover. We unpack the book itself - its writing style and depiction of domestic violence - along with the public perception of its author. We also discuss the upcoming film adaptation starring Blake Lively, and so much more. There are lots of spo...

*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser* Los Angeles photographer Aaron Jay Young visits The Stacks Unabridged to discuss  Queen , a portrait book celebrating the art of drag. We learn how his book came to be and what he’s learned about the performance of gender through photographing drag queens. Aaron also reveals how he approaches his subjects to get the right shot. *This episode i...

Author and multimedia artist Akwaeke Emezi joins us with their latest novel Little Rot , set in the underworld of a Nigerian city. We unpack the psychology of evil, and what is interesting to Akwaeke about exploring different genres. We also discuss their moral boundaries when it comes to writing about difficult subjects. The Stacks Book Club selection for June is It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover...

Friend of The Stacks Chelsea Devantez is here to tell us about her debut memoir  I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway) . Chelsea explains how podcasting about celebrity memoirs has impacted her writing, and what she found important to include in her own story. Plus we learn how the structure of Chelsea’s book is a reflection of one major event in her life. The Stacks Book...

Today we are speaking with Melissa Mogollon about her debut novel  Oye , a tragicomic family drama told in a series of one-sided phone calls from one sister to another. Melissa shares her approach to writing a book all in dialogue, and what it was like to write from a teenager’s POV. We also talk about the term "voicy" and whether or not it is a pejorative. The Stacks Book Club selection for...

It is The Stacks Book Club Day, and we're celebrating James Baldwin and his centennial year by reading his book,  No Name in the Street . We're joined again by Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster- and founder of  Literaryswag - Yahdon Israel. We talk about the delicate balance between public and private, in life and in memoir. We also examine the usefulness of public beefs, a...

*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser* For today’s Unabridged, book lovers Cree Myles ( All Ways Black ) and Sara Hildreth ( Fiction Matters ) are back by popular demand to discuss the best books 2024, so far. We also get into our most disappointing reads, our favorite backlist titles, and what we’re most looking forward to for the rest of the year. *This episode is exclusive to members...

Sierra Greer is the novelist behind the new speculative fiction book  Annie Bot , about what happens when an AI robot designed to be the perfect girlfriend learns to become human. We talk today about how this novel came to Sierra, why she chose to write under a pen name for this book, and how she was thinking about race and feminism throughout the novel. The Stacks Book Club selection for May...

Writer and podcaster Carvell Wallace joins us to discuss their debut memoir  Another Word for Love . Carvell describes the challenge of writing a trauma memoir without making it all about the trauma, and reveals how they thought about connecting with their audience. We also talk about how Carvell's past as an actor impacts the way they think about writing stories.  The Stacks Book Club s...

Today the prolific and award-winning children's book and Young Adult author Paula Yoo joins us. Her new nonfiction book is Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire . Paula explains why she wants to write these stories from recent American history for young people, and how she teaches her readers without being condescending or p...

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 selec...

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 e...

*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 disc...

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...

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 wil...

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...

*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...