The Stacks

We're getting in a little romance this month, with co-owner of The Ripped Bodice , Leah Koch. The Ripped Bodice is the first Romance centric bookstore in The United States. Leah sheds light on what its really like to own your own bookstore, breaks down the criteria of romance novels, and suggest a few titles for people who are new to the genre. SHOP AT THE RIPPED BODICE   You can find links t...

Today for The Stacks Book Club we're discussing Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino. We've brought back Jordan Moblo, TV executive and professional reader, to talk about the many ideas that come up in this essay collection, including gender norms, being a millennial, the allure of scammers, difficult women, and more! There are no spoilers on this episode. You can find links to everything we discuss on t...

We've got a real life, professional reader on the podcast today. TV executive Jordan Moblo has made a career of reading books in order to turn them into TV shows. He also runs a very popular #bookstagram account, @jordys.book.club , dedicated to celebrating the books he loves. Today we talk negative reviews, social media book clubs, and some of Jordan's favorite books of the last year. You can fin...

Professional Mama Jenna Parris, of the Mama Said Podcast ,is back to talk about making the tough parenting decisions. Thats right, its our deep dive into Emily Oster's book Cribsheet . The book is a data-driven guide to helping parents make the best decisions for their families based on studies and cost-benefit analysis. We're taking on all the hot button "mommy wars" issues today from vaccination...

There has been some big news around here, Traci is now a mom, and to let you all in on some of the story of the new mini stacks, Traci talks with co-host of Mama Said Podcast , Jenna Parris. This episode is different than what you're used to around here, and if we're being honest is a little light on the book content. Instead, we're filling you in on all the baby news, Traci shares some parenting...

It is a brand new year, and a we've got a brand new episode of The Stacks! We've brought back Vanessa Hua ( A River of Stars ) to discuss Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li, a novel about a family restaurant and the drama that comes along with it. We talk about how books are edited and streamlined, immigrants working in food industries, and what it means to be authentic. There are spoiler...

To close out this year on The Stacks we're sharing our favorite books of 2019. We brought back friend of the podcast, past guest , and avid reader Lauren Fanella. Today Lauren and Traci each share their top five books of 2019, see how their 2018 predictions held up, and look ahead at the books they are most excited for in 2020.  You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on T...

Our guest today is Vanessa Hua. Vanessa is the author of A River of Stars and a columnist at The San Francisco Chronicale. We talk today about the differences between writing a column versus a novel, the people who change our lives without knowing, and untraditional motherhood.  You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/20...

Jason Reynolds is back this week for The Stacks Book Club discussion of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson. The novel tells the story of generations of one family living in Brooklyn, NY and the struggles and success of their lives. We talk about maternal disconnect, doubling down on disappointment, and sensitivty readers. There are no spoilers this week. You can find links to everything we disc...

We are thrilled to have best selling novelist and poet Jacqueline Woodson on The Short Stacks to discuss Red at the Bone , her newest book, and our book club pick for this week (tune in on Wednesday)! We talk with Jacqueline about how she turned a childhood habit of lying into a career, crafting authentic characters, and giving a TED Talk . There are no spoilers in this episode. You can find links...

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times best selling author and a National Book Award finalist. He writes novels and poetry for young people, and they'll all tell you Jason just "gets it". We sit down with Jason to discuss his new book Look Both Ways , how his love of music led to a career as an author, and what book he would assign in high school. You can find links to everything we discuss on today's...

Today on The Stacks Book Club we discuss Tell Me How It Ends by Valeria Luiselli, a book that looks at the immigration crisis at the US/Mexico border for the children who make the journey unaccompanied. Our guest Asyer Salman ( The Wrong End of the Table ) joins the show to talk about empathy, the language around immigration, and what we can do to help. There are no spoilers on this episode. You c...

Shea Serrano is a three-time New York Times best selling author, whose most recent book Movies (and Other Things) is a collection of illustrated essays answering all the questions you didn't know you needed answered when it comes to movies...and other things. We talk about Shea's unconventional start as a writer, what his kids think of his work, and what its like working with illustrator Arturo To...

Today we welcome Ayser Salman to The Stacks. Ayser is the author of T he Wrong End of the Table a comedic memoir about her experiences as a Muslim Arab American woman just trying to fit in. We talk about finding your political voice, the privilege of passing, and if we've ever felt truly seen in a book.  You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https...

We're taking on our first ever cookbook as part of The Stacks Book Club with the help of food writer and executive editor at Sunset Magazine , Hugh Garvey. As we gear up for the holiday season we are diving into Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat, and breaking down the key elements of cooking. We talk about freeing ourselves from recipes, cooking anxiety, and the communal act of sharing a meal....

Today we are joined by author Jami Attenberg to discuss her newest book, All This Could Be Yours . The novel is a family drama that asks the question "what obligation do you have to a dying family member that you simply do not like?" We also talk about the work of being a professional writer, and how books take on a life of their own once they are published. There are no spoilers on this episode....

Today we are joined by executive editor of Sunset Magazine , Hugh Garvey. Hugh talks with us about his start in journalism, food writing, the politics of eating, and how he fell in love with recipes for their intimacy and happy endings.  You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2019/11/13/ep-85-hugh-garvey Connect with Hu...

The Stacks Book Club is tackling a post-post racial satirical novel this week in our reading of We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin. To help us discuss what that even means, and what makes a satire work, and so much more is author Chris L. Terry ( Black Card ). There are minor spoilers on this episode. You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Website: https:...

Maurice Carlos Ruffin is the author of We Cast a Shadow , and joins The Short Stacks to tell us about his process in writing this satirical, speculative fiction novel. We get to talk about what music fueled this novel, how his hometown of New Orleans figures into his work, and how he finds balance between being a writer and lawyer. There are no spoilers on this episode. You can find links to every...

Today on The Stacks we welcome author of Black Card , Chris L. Terry. Chris shares how he balanced his book to pull from his personal experiences as a mixed kid in Richmond, VA, and still maintain a wholly fictional premise and characters. We also talk about the racist idea of being "Black enough", and why Chris doesn't believe in having a go-to book recommendation.  You can find links to eve...

Chase Darkness with Me is Billy Jensen's true crime book about his journey into solving murder cases. We get to talk about this book, and all the complicated issues it brings up with Jac Vanek ( LadyGang , The First Degree ). We look at the merits of crowd sourced crime investigation, how we treat victims who aren't pretty white women, and how the current obsession with true crime is a little prob...

Chloe Benjamin author of, The Stacks Book Club pick for October 2019 , The Immortalists joins the show to talk about how this epic family saga came to be. She shares how she kept track of her research and characters, addressing uncertainty in the world, and which character in this book is her favorite. She also talks about the gorgeous cover, and so much more! There are no spoilers in this episode...

Today we welcome Jac Vanek to The Stacks. Jac is the CEO of fashion and lifestyle brand, Jac Vanek . She is also one third of the LadyGang , and a co-host on The First Degree podcast. Jac takes us on a journey through her "emo-kid" past, tells us who made her into a reader, and shares why she loves writing in her books. You can find links to everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' Web...

When it comes to our own deaths we can never really know when its coming, or can we? That is the question at the center of The Stacks Book Club pick, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Jenna Ushkowitz is back with us to discuss this book, the vivid characters inside the story, free will vs. magic, and how America deals with grief. There are spoilers in this episode. You can find links to everythi...

Today on The Short Stacks we're joined by author, academic, and podcast host ( Hear to Slay ) Tressie McMillan Cottom. Her latest book Thick: And Other Essays is on The National Book Award Longlist for nonfiction, and is the center of our conversation. Cottom explains the power in centering the experiences of Black women, and we get into the nitty gritty of writing snacks and beverages. There are...