I love this podcast. I always learn something new. Traci isn’t afraid to tackle hard subjects and hot takes, has the best guests, and is a really great interviewer!

I have enjoyed the stacks podcast for a long time, but I honestly don’t understand why it chose a book that so many of us literally cannot read or discuss for our mental health. Did the Lolita episode engage with the topic of what reading this book might be like for a CSA survivor? No. Did it conflate the choice not to read or platform a book with censorship? Yes. Did the episode discuss how regardless of whether an intellectual reading of the book can indict the mundane tyranny of American society, this book has been consistently and radically misread, as evidenced by the cover, and the fact that Alice Munro’s daughter’s abuser specifically cited this book when blaming a 9-year-old girl for him abusing her by calling her “a Lolita”? No. When a book is so actively harmful to CSA survivors’ mental health that when it is assigned in college classes my students and myself routinely need to ask for an alternate assignment (CPTSD is no joke!) and we sit here and just wish that more people pushing this on us understood this basic reality, and wonder why we constantly have to read the perspective of perpetrators over and over and over again in all of our classes; and when a book is, after 70 years, chronically and actively misread, mis-marketed (my copy has a Vanity Fair review blurb on the cover calling it “the greatest love story of our time”) and repeatedly used as justification by perpetrators, then do you think for a moment about maybe, just maybe, I could pick something else, other than some thoroughly canonized white man’s novel that has been read plenty enough before the Stacks announcing so loudly and clearly how little it cares about CSA survivors being able to be part of its book club? Hope you all who weren’t raped as children had fun intellectualizing the aesthetic value of this chronically-assigned, syllabus mainstay, never-in-danger-of-going-out-of-print book so beloved of perpetrators and so terrorizing of us survivors.

Even when I disagree with Traci’s hot takes, I LOVE this show! I’ve gotten turned on to some fresh authors and listening these last couple of years has encouraged me to embrace my inner gleeful hater 😊😊😊

I love this show and Traci :)

The perfect mixture of serious and fun around book. Traci always pushes my thinking.

Good people are interviewed but Traci’s takes are often terrible (when she called Gone With the Wind a “Black Book” my soul left my body) and she’s not the best interviewer (her critical analysis is…wanting) but I appreciate the perspectives of the people she has on the show.

I have been reading WAY more since I became a regular listener of The Stacks! I love being more up to date with all things books. Traci is a fabulous interviewer and even if a book isn’t fully my thing I still really enjoy the interview and learning from the conversation.

Love this show! Thoughtful and fun.

I have been an OG Stacks podcast listener and as the show continues to grow, the more my world shifts for the better. This isn’t just another bookish podcast with amazing guest interviews and weekly opportunities to add to an never ending TBR, it’s an experience. Traci is the BFF I think we all wish we had and just when I think an episode can’t top another, it does. This show has opened up my eyes to books I would not have normally picked up- books from different perspectives, social justice reform and tackling racism. I look forward to my Wednesdays episodes, and plan to continue Traci as often as I can! And if you don’t believe me, listen to her most recent interview with Jessica Valente! It’s fantastic!

I’ve been a weekly listener of The Stacks for almost two years now and it is one of the podcasts that I always look forward to. I love how Traci’s author interviews help showcase who the writer is as a person. The books and topics discussed are always timely and relevant!

Traci is such a fun, insightful, engaging interviewer and I learn so much from her!!

My favorite book podcast. Dependably concise and insightful conversations.

I’ve been listening to The Stacks for years now and have discovered so many books and authors from the episodes. Traci is a great interviewer and the show seems to just get better and better with time.

The most excellent book podcast. Traci is a fantastic interviewer! Each episode is a delight and I always come away with new books for the TBR pile. ❤️

That’s all it took for me to be hooked! The epi about Little Rot made me buy the book and subscribe to The Stacks podcast.

I love this podcast so much. Even if you’re not that into books you should listen because Traci is a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind interviewer who doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or uncomfortable questions. Her rapport with her guests is genuine and fueled by her earnest curiosity. Also, I admire her dedication to snacks that are not fruit. I have never read a book that Traci recommended and been disappointed, no matter the genre. If you are able, I 100% recommend joining the Patreon and Discord. The community that Traci has created is beautiful and a testament to her hard work and authentic engagement with authors and readers. A++++

Really enjoy these book discussions convos…

Wednesdays are my favorite days because I get to be welcomed into a wonderful conversation about books on The Stacks. I have learned so much from this podcast on various topics. I have a processing learning disability, and sometimes it’s hard for me to follow more thought provoking podcasts, therefore making me feel dumb. Traci, however, and her guests are SO SO SO SO accessible - she has a gift of phrasing things that make sense, sound intelligent, and I’m able to follow everything she’s talking about. It’s an incredible feeling. I’m currently backtracking on her Book Club episodes and loving them. I’m so grateful for this podcast and everything Traci has given to the bookworm community!

It never fails. I’ll see the title of an episode, or the book of the week, and think “Meh. I’ll get to it when I get to it.” But then I listen to said episode and the conversation is engaging, the questions are thoughtful, and by the end of the episode I’m bummed that Traci and her guest can’t carry on their conversation longer, and I immediately try to get my hands on the book on question (for better or worse, my stack is tall). What I really love about this podcast is how authentic Traci is. She will say what she honestly thinks about various topics or books, she asks guests questions that she’s interested in knowing the answers to, and the fact that she openly mentions hating things makes me giggle. I enjoy this Podcast so much, I subscribe to Traci’s Patreon and Substack. Best wishes to The Stacks for many years of success!

Traci is a fantastic interviewer and her taste in books is top-notch. She manages to ask engaging, and sometimes tough questions, to guests that I am skeptical I would be interested in and changes my mind by the end of the episode. My reading life is so much richer because of her work! This podcast is a good time!!

I look forward to this podcast every Wednesday, and my library collection grows each week with every discussion. Thank you Traci for bringing such poignant and articulate authors and for having brave conversations. I am so impressed with the convo you had most recently with Nathan Thrall. I’ve been looking for the people and podcasts I admire most to have these really tough discussions publicly and you really asked what a lot of us were grappling with. Thank you for all the hard work you put forth in order to expand our minds and our hearts.

I love this podcast because I always learn something new from Traci Thomas and her amazing guests. The best part is Traci, herself because her enthusiasm for books and reading is infectious. She actually got me excited to reconsider Shakespeare!

I look forward to this podcast so much! Traci asks such juicy questions, ranging from silly to deep, taking the interviewee and listener on such a rich dive of books, culture, process, artistry, introspection and experience. I love how there are both standalone episodes and book club episodes. Love love love.

I’ve been listening for a while (came to you from Glamorous Trash!) and have really appreciated your honest questions and conversations and very insightful questions about writing and reading. Love it! And over time I’ve started reading books with you and can’t wait for those discussions. But I wrote this review because Beto is right. You’re amazing and you asked him questions we all wanted to know but also made me very uncomfortable that you straight up asked and thank you!!

I listen to a lot of book podcasts. This one is the best and it has had a big impact on what I choose to read. The latest interview with Jesmyn Ward was especially excellent. Support Traci and join the Stacks Pack!

After following on Instagram for a while, I started listening to the stacks’ podcast and was not disappointed. Traci’s energy, wide range of book choices, and amazing roster of guests keeps the content on the pod and the Instagram account fresh and engaging. While I don’t always agree with Traci’s takes, I appreciate that she is very grounded + honest in her opinions of the works she reviews, and encourages thought provoking dialogue and myriad perspectives. It’s also been super helpful as someone who leans heavily towards fiction to get some exposure to the world of narrative nonfiction, and has expanded my TBR (and my worldview!) in the best way. As a lifelong bookworm, I can’t recommend The Stacks enough!

I just discovered The Stacks when I learned Traci hosts a podcast and decided to check it out. Despite being neither a basketball fan nor a follower of fashion, I thoroughly enjoyed Traci’s interview with Michael S. Jackson, and up a list of 7 books to checkout for my own, or book club’s reading pleasure. Thanks Traci —- I look forward to listening to more episodes!

This podcast changed my reading life in the best way! Traci has introduced me to so many great authors and a fantastic selection of books. Highly recommend both listening and joining the Patreon for a great book community!

I am so glad I found this podcast while I was falling back in love with reading. As a former 5th grade teacher who only read read books written for 5th graders, I have finally figured out what I like to read. Unfortunately it’s just about everything. The Stacks has introduced me to so many authors and I even enjoy nonfiction!!! Yep, it’s true. I look forward to listening to a new episode every week while I drink tea out of my Big Book Energy mug.

I’ve been a regular listener since I first discovered the Stacks in 2018. This is my one and only regular listen and my go to for my TBR list, book reviews and thoughtful conversation

I look forward to this podcast every week. Traci is so insightful and ask the best interview questions. My TBR has grown exponentially, and for the better, because of this podcast.

This is my favorite podcast! Traci is so charismatic and I add so many books to my endless TBR!

This podcast is so so smart and thought provoking, and usually very funny as well! Traci has such a cool range of guests, and I'm equally excited when it's one of my fave authors and when it's someone I've never heard of before--because they often become my new faves!

My sister loves your podcast! Traci is amazing!

I found this podcast after following The Stacks on Instagram. Traci’s book recommendations are always spot on. The podcast is so great because Traci has amazing guests, asks insightful questions, and features books and authors that I am so interested to learn more about. This is a gem for book lovers and for people who are just interested in learning about interesting people and what they’re reading or writing!

This is one of my very favorite podcasts. Traci is an excellent interviewer and pushes herself and her guests to move beyond the sound bites and dig in to conversations. Every podcast I am entertained and also learn something. Join the Stacks Pack on Patreon for book club discussions and bonuses. Traci is truly the best classy and shady book talker out there. You will not be disappointed.

The Stacks has changed my life. I look forward to this podcast every Wednesday! Literature talk imbued with relatable conversations. The monthly book club is the cherry on top! Could not recommend more!

As a literary lover, I fell in love with this podcast years ago. I took a break from it for no particular reason but remained subscribed. Then, I listened to an episode today and was reminded of my love for The Stacks. It also makes me add a million books to my online cart which isn’t so good financially - however, Traci created a gem of a podcast.

The only thing I’m sad about is that I did not find Traci’s content sooner. I love love love the fascinating, intelligent, important conversations she has on this podcast. It will be hard for me to take my headphones out while I catch up on the hundreds of episodes available!

Interesting text selections great guests and fun interviews. Good voice to listen to.

I love how Traci’s personality comes through each and every interview! She is so thoughtful and caring with each interview. I really appreciate how she is a different voice from BookTok (she loves narrative nonfiction)! I love many different genres of books, fiction and nonfiction, and her guests give me so many titles to add to my TBR. Her voice is also soothing and lovely, which is not necessary but a nice bonus!

I first learned about Traci’s podcast when she suggested a couple of books for Andrew Ti. I read them, loved them, found her podcast and subscribed, and never looked back. Traci’s tastes in what to read are right up my alley, and hos she reads is pretty different from my way, and that’s a powerfully useful and interesting combination. I also enjoy the regularity with which she asks writers what they snack on while working. :D

If you love books, this is the podcast you should be listening to! Traci does such a great job interviewing authors - they are super engaging and she picks such a great selection of guests. I also really appreciate that Traci is so progressive and has an abolitionist politic.

A great selection of diverse books primarily by Black authors, with wonderful interviews by Traci Thomas. Entertaining, educational, sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always smart.

I was taught to always have a library card by my grandmother because with one, you’re never alone and always have a place you are welcome and belong (or ideally should if the library indeed being carried out as a public place for all). The podcast is like a modern extension of this sentiment. I appreciate the balance of warmth, authenticity, deep discussion, and silliness.

This podcast is one of my favorites! TT has helped me revive my reading life! Her recommendations are spot on- her guests are incredible! She is relevant, fun and always gets you thinking!

The Stacks is my favorite podcast. I have expanded my reading so much since I started listening. I love the conversations Traci has with writers and other readers.

Traci curates such an incredible range of guests, book club reads, and topics for discussion. The show is both entertaining and informative, and I never walk away from an episode not having both laughed and learned something. I’m grateful that through the show I have been exposed to more authors and books than I otherwise would have read. I’m a huge fan.

This is my absolute favorite podcast. I listen every single week, I read the book club books, I’m a part of the Patreon. So many of the guests have mentioned that Traci asks questions they haven’t gotten before, and that is definitely a remarkable feat with all the interviews some of these authors need to do. And it’s not just authors! It’s so good, highly recommend!

Traci's voice is so great to listen to. A woman who isn't afraid to hate a book, but also brings in excellent guests/writers. Love listening to this, the Paterson community associated, and all the book recs I get!