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 end of today’s episode to find out what our May book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/24/ep-316-the-januar ..read more

*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 discuss what they notice, how it works, and why it excites them. This episode is for folks who love poetry, those who cower in fear, and everyone in between.  *This episode is exclusive to members of ..read more

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 selection for April is The January Children by Safia Elhillo. We will discuss the book on April 24th with Hala Alyan. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https ..read more

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. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/10/ep-314-andrew-boryga Episode Transcript Connect with Andrew: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter  ..read more

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 on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/03/ep-313-hala-alyan Episode Transcript Connect with Hala: Instagram | Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagra ..read more

*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 much more. *This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon and our Substack subscribers. To join a community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below ..read more

Flawless author Elise Hu returns to discuss our March book club pick Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We talk about the satirical novel's themes of assimilation, the performance of imposed identity and the myth of the model minority. We also ask, who gets to be "American"? Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our April book club pick will be. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website: https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/03/27/ep-312-interior-chinatown Episode Transcript Connect with Elise: Instagram | Twitter  ..read more

Sociologists and co-authors Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans join The Stacks to talk about their book The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels. The book follows four people whose bodies go unclaimed after their deaths, and how and why this happens. We also discuss how Pamela and Stefan think ethically about reporting and writing about the dead, why being claimed matters, and how they took care of themselves while spending eight years with this subject matter. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We will discuss the book on March 27 ..read more

Tommy Orange joins The Stacks today to discuss his new novel Wandering Stars. We talk about writing this prequel/sequel to his debut nove,l the Pulitzer Prize finalist, There There. Tommy reveals how he thinks about the relationship between faith and addiction, and why he writes about Oakland. He also talks about waiting until adulthood to finally see himself represented in popular culture, and how not seeing himself is a driving force in his work. Traci also asks Tommy if he has any plans to write nonfiction. There are no spoilers in this episode. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is I ..read more

Author and TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu joins The Stacks to discuss her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. Elise explains how Korea became a pop culture superpower, and how she approached writing about a culture outside of her own. We also discuss "cultural technology" and anti-Blackness in Korean beauty standards, and Elise slips into journalist mode to interview Traci. The Stacks Book Club selection for March is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We will discuss the book on March 27th with Elise Hu. You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The ..read more