Ep. 197 All Ways Black, Always with Cree Myles

Written By Megan Caballero

Today we're joined by Cree Myles, the creative force behind Penguin Random Houses' All Ways Black, a platform that is focused on uplifting and centering the work of Black authors. We talk today about the competitive drive that keeps us motivated, balancing personal identity and reading choices, and the vibe we expect to find in heaven.

The Stacks Book Club selection for December is Passing by Nella Larsen. We will discuss the book on January 26th with Cree Myles.

 
 

Everything we talk about on today’s episode can be found below in the show notes and on Bookshop.org and Amazon

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TRANSCRIPT
*Due to the nature of podcast advertising, these timestamps are not 100% accurate and will vary.

Traci Thomas 0:08
Welcome to The Stacks podcast about books and people who read them. I’m your host, Traci Thomas, and we made it to 2022. I am so excited for all the fun we’re going to have this year. You know, they say how you ring in the new year as how you’ll spend the rest of the year. And I’m not sure that I believe in that. But I was certainly scared enough by that threat to kick off the year with an incredibly wonderful, joyful, talented and thought provoking guest Cree Myles. In addition to being a book influencer, and my friend, Cree is the creative force behind Penguin Random House’s All Ways Black, a social media account initiative that’s all about uplifting Black literature. Today we talked about Cree’s favorite books, competitive energy and so much more. It is a very good time. Our January book club pick is Passing by Nella Larsen and we will be discussing the book on Wednesday, January 26th. with Cree Myles. Okay, now it’s time for our very first episode of the year with Cree Myles.

Okay, everybody, it’s our first episode of a brand new year I had to bring in one of my favorite humans on the face of the earth. It is Cree Myles. Welcome to The Stacks.

Cree Myles 2:24
Traci. I cannot believe that I’m here. I’m so excited. I’m so excited. Thank you for having me.

Traci Thomas 2:29
I’m so excited. Let me give you I guess for people who don’t know who you are, why don’t you sort of tell folks a little bit about yourself? I didn’t even give your like work interests. You should drop that in there too.

Cree Myles 2:41
I am I’m a bookstore, grammar book, influencer. I mean, I guess my claim to fame right now is that I run always black by and it’s a page that was created by payment Random House to celebrate and uplift black literature. So I’m like, paid full time to get people to read black literature, which is a privilege. And I’m it’s fun.

Traci Thomas 3:05
Yeah, that’s sort of like the dream, I feel like.

Cree Myles 3:07
Yeah but it really, um, you know, like, when you are pushing so hard for something, and then you get it, you have to kind of go back and remember that you were pushing because then like sometimes the dream feels like it’s not a dream, but it’s totally the dream.

Traci Thomas 3:21
Yeah, it’s definitely the dream, but I get that it’s like you work really hard. And then you’re like, Fuck, I’m here. And they’re annoying me about this little thing. And you have to remember that it’s like a little thing in the grand scheme of the things that you want in the jobs I used to do. Like, you used to be like a community organizer, right?

Cree Myles 3:40
Yeah, in the trenches with so- dynamics and nonprofits. Anybody who’s worked in one, you know, it’s absolutely, it’s so insane. It’s so- everybody needs therapy.

Traci Thomas 3:57
Okay, okay, we’re gonna back up a little bit, because I actually don’t know a lot about your like childhood life. And I’m very curious. So when did you get into reading? Have you always been into reading? Or were you someone who came to it later in life? Was there someone in your family that inspired it a teacher like sort of how did you become a person that cared about books enough to dedicate your life to it?

Cree Myles 4:19
So, as a kindergartner, we were learning how to read, I did not want to learn how to read, okay, and my parents were okay with that, for some reason, especially my mom. My dad was irritated, but my mom was like, she didn’t want to revive. But she made me like learn sign language. She was like, You’re gonna learn something. So I would come home, I have to actually sign language videos and like, would not participate in reading in kindergarten. I don’t even I have no idea what that was about. And then in first grade, I had planned on like, continuing this trajectory. I was in like the low reading group because I couldn’t read and decided not to read. And then this girl actually in first grade getting all this attention from the teacher because she’s reading at a fourth grade level. And I was like, Oh, well then I’m gonna learn how to read. So I like she had some Babysitter’s Club books, and I was like, Can I check out the baby sitters club books and the teacher she was like, since you can’t read, I was like, just give me the books. And I like I like pounded through reading levels that year, like pounded, so that I could get at Emily’s reading level. So like, within half the year I was in it was reading level and it was like, everybody needs to learn how to read my Bri. And I look at me like, yep, they do. They just went crazy.

Traci Thomas 5:32
So when you were in kindergarten, and you were actively not learning how to read, were you secretly reading? I wasn’t I was not reading.

Cree Myles 5:42
I was relishing the fact that like my parents were reading signs while we’re driving. And I’m like, I have no idea what that means. And it feels peaceful. And it was to be honest, ignorance is bliss.

Traci Thomas 5:54
I am obsessed with this. Okay. So then you were like, Emily, sorry, but I’m the queen of reading now.

Cree Myles 6:06
Yes, and I still love baby sitters club to this day, because I have a babysitter’s tote bag that I got. The branding is fire. The books were wonderful. And I I look, I mean, thank you, Emily. I was just being a competitive dick. But you actually did introduce me to literature, and I fell in love.

Traci Thomas 6:24
And you are a competitive person. Right? I feel like that’s why we like each other.

Cree Myles 6:27
Yeah. Well, it is. It is I really, I can there are so many things that have driven me to this point in my career because of competition that I can’t even tell you while we’re recording. Like it’s it’s crazy stuff.

Traci Thomas 6:43
So I mean, the whole reason this podcast still exists is because I’m competitive. And I’m a psychopath. Like, I really think that if I wasn’t a competitive, crazy person, I would have stopped making the show. Probably within the first year ago. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Right. But now I’m like, Well, let me see what I can do.

Cree Myles 7:03
We’re in it now that you guys have challenged me.

Traci Thomas 7:07
Right, as well. Just like every time, you know, like, you run, I used to run. And I used to do this thing called hunting where I used to run in New York City. And what I would do is I would pick someone I could see, like, kind of far ahead of me running, and I would keep running until like past them. And so like I would like hunt time. Uh huh. And when I read my half marathon and my marathon, that’s what I would do. Like when I would get tired, I’d pick someone like far ahead and I would hunt them. And that’s what I see with it.

Cree Myles 7:41
Yeah, that’s because life is just a long distance run.

Traci Thomas 7:45
Yeah, I just need I need. I’m the kind of person I need someone else to motivate me not to be like, you can do it but I need someone else to be in front of me so that I can pass them because that motivates me.

Cree Myles 7:59
Yep, I cannot and I did not know this term hunting- hunting?

Traci Thomas 8:03
I made it up. I think.

Cree Myles 8:05
You can apply that to a lot of things. I’m here for it.

Traci Thomas 8:08
At every time. This is so mean, but every time like another book podcast or like book influence or person like quits, I’m like, Yes, I pass them. Like I think about it like hunting.

Cree Myles 8:18
Yes. I love Hey, that’s, oh, my God, look relatable.

Traci Thomas 8:22
I know. I think also part of it. I’m like, I’m embarrassed to talk about it. Because I feel like in the publishing world, because it’s so cutthroat and a lot of ways. It’s like, inappropriate to contribute to that. However, that’s just how I am motivated. Yeah, I mean, like, I don’t, I don’t publicly like name people. I’m hunting like, I never would say anything like that. And I you know, like, I have my own personal people that I’m like, in my mind. Over here. Yes. Okay. Yeah. So I don’t write them down because I am scared of a paper trail because I’ve read too many Nazi books.

Cree Myles 9:01
I’ve just like if they find it after I’m dead. That is like wonderful fodder for it’s like the Octavia Butler. Like you guys want to know how I really work. This is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Traci Thomas 9:13
Are you a big journaler?

Cree Myles 9:15
Oh my god. Yes. I have like, I just looked at five full journals. So I write everything down. And things have had to slow down a little bit because two year old and I saw that when my oldest was to I saw huge gaps. But once they hit about four I can go back to like, I keep track of everything. Everything emotionally.

Traci Thomas 9:38
Wow, I don’t don’t I’ve never journaled I can never get into it. I just can’t make it happen.

Cree Myles 9:44
I have so many feelings Traci, like about every internet. My mom just left from breakfast and I need to write about it. Because what was even happening and I have so many feelings this is all the time. All the time I have I’ve there has to be Pisces or something thing in my chart because I am so emotive.

Traci Thomas 10:04
I just don’t all I write down to do lists every single day, which is sort of a form of journaling. It captures like everything that is on my agenda. So you can like kind of my feelings.

Cree Myles 10:17
What those aren’t your feelings at all!

Traci Thomas 10:19
I don’t feel. I am. I don’t feel, I am.

Cree Myles 10:28
Traci! Oh my god. No. I feel that. I think that’s my inner like, that’s my inner world. But my outer world is very much the the hunter. So I feel you. Yeah, I wish I could journal, you should just track that you read becoming just kind of do it. Michelle did like she just because she doesn’t really feel like a general or she was just trying it. And I mean, it worked for a little bit.

Traci Thomas 10:52
I just, I don’t want another chore to be honest.

Cree Myles 10:56
Hey, no, if it’s about to feel like a chore. Don’t do it. I feel you. Don’t.

Traci Thomas 11:00
We’ll see. Okay, this isn’t about my journaling. But thank you for encouraging me. It’s the new year. So I feel like this is an appropriate New Year’s compensation. Solution. Yes. Yeah, we’ll see. Okay, I want to know about what’s a thing that you’ve discovered from working sort of in publishing, but not in publishing, where you feel like people think it’s one thing, but it’s really like, something different?

Cree Myles 11:24
Well, one thing that I’ve definitely had an uptick in is people asking me how to get published. And I have no idea how you would get I don’t, I work with the mart like marketing teams. The people I work closest with is the creative team, like current shout out to Carly. She’s the creative director, like that’s who I work with. And then I work with the social team. So I am not in conversation or community with editors often at all. And so y’all, I don’t know how to do that. Like, I have no idea.

Traci Thomas 12:02
Okay, people leave her alone is what she’s trying to give her a break.

Cree Myles 12:07
I don’t I don’t know. Cold email Chris Jackson, good luck.

Traci Thomas 12:13
It’s Chris Jackson at penguinrandomhouse.com. I think I know what it is. I think I know what it is, but I don’t.

Cree Myles 12:20
But yeah, not me. It’s not me. I don’t know.

Traci Thomas 12:23
So what about being black working in publishing, because we all know, you know, hashtag publishing so white. And especially because you don’t actually like, you’re on a contract, you’re like a, you’re a consultant, essentially, or like a contracted employee. So what’s it like sort of being this outsider being a black woman working in publishing, like, and you’re creating your own thing? And you’re sort of like, your own vision? How, how have you found that experience?

Cree Myles 12:50
So the hashtag, I have said this to my husband so many times, because it’s like, it’s so true, like, hashtag, it’s like Polish sheets of white. Oh, my God, it’s so light, I can’t even. Um, and that is sobering for me, because I went to a predominantly white high school. And then I went to the University of Kentucky, which is also a PWI. But the school is so large that you just find the pocket of black and you just, I mean, you have to suffer through classes. But other than that all of my social interactions were with black people. And I hadn’t worked in a predominantly white environment since like, almost 10 years ago. So that was low key, like, it’s low key kind of culture shocky, but also, that’s 10 years of like, self awareness and self development. So it doesn’t hit the same and like, you kind of already know what to expect, and you feel fine. A lot of times, like I can say, one of my challenges that I’m trying to figure out, like how to keep my brain going is with a lot of these bigger projects that I’m trying to execute, I just don’t have, like the thought partner that I wouldn’t necessarily desire. Because sometimes I’m just the only black person in the room. And everybody’s on board and everybody’s like, excited and helpful. But like the nuanced Black Cultural version, they say, quoi I’m supposed to be bringing, it just all falls on me sometimes. Which is, it can be a little daunting. Right?

Traci Thomas 14:23
And then you don’t have someone to like bounce ideas off of or like to push you so how do you? I mean, let me say this a different way. For me. I know that when I’m like creating because I do a lot of stuff alone. I have to figure out ways to like challenge myself and like push myself like I might have an idea but it’s not fully there. How are you kind of like being your own creative partner.

Cree Myles 14:48
I mean, I have the Forever running list like the note on my on my phone that just has all of my wildest ideas, the simplest ideas and When I feel when it feels to vacuum me, that’s when I talk to you or I talk to Reggie. Or like, I like please. I don’t know like what, where to take this and just watching the stuff that just like, sparks the on me, which like is forever homecoming. fiance’s homecoming, I watched that when I’m just like, oh, I can do anything. This very crazy niche specific performance brandies, 2016 performance with begging and pleading, I’ve the black girl rocks show. And I watched it all the time. Like this was a perfect thing. So I just do stuff like that. And it loads I say transformation assignments into language and action. I always am like, How can I turn this into action? How don’t be afraid just do take a half bake. So those are kind of my go twos. What I need to try and figure out a way like the push through the loneliness.

Traci Thomas 15:57
Right. Wow, that’s like an incredible trio of references for yourself. I really like that. Do you have a favorite moment in homecoming?

Cree Myles 16:07
Honestly, I watch that intro like it’s a devotional that was such a crucial cinematic moment. And the the turn and everybody spins out and the fate like I just, it was perfect. And I always think of Remember The Titans were like none of us are individually perfect. But we right now our perfect team because our record is perfect. I was like, obviously Beyonce is not perfect. But this was perfect like this was for and I actually a large part of me is always chasing perfect artistic moments. Like I’m always like, I want to deliver those in my lifetime.

Traci Thomas 16:46
Okay, but can I say something about Beyonce, a person that I love. My favorite moment in homecoming is when she almost falls with Solange. It’s the moment of not perfect, because and I feel very strongly about this. What makes Michael Jackson so great and so perfect in my mind as a performer, not as a person I understand. But as a performer was that every time he stepped on the stage to perform his different songs, and everyone knew every word and every nuance to he did something different. He didn’t always do it perfect, exactly the same. Beyonce is perfect, exactly the same. Every time. Every riff is the same every hand clap every everything. And the moment where she’s about to fall with Solange, to me is it’s thrilling. Like I literally watch and I’m like, oh, and then I’m like she left it in, she chose to leave it in, someone knew that that was like her most human moment. So for me, that’s the moment of Homecoming that I love the most, which is basically the opposite of what you’re saying. And I appreciate the entire perfection of the whole thing. Like I get it. I love it as a dancer as an actress as a Live Performer. Like I appreciate her dedication, her drive. Yeah, her attention to detail all of that. But for me, it’s the Michael Jackson a bit which is like you have all of that. And then you play, then you find like the play every time.

Cree Myles 18:15
And I honestly like we don’t have to go on a tangent. But I do think that is the difference between performers and musicians. Like I love Anderson packs, Tiny Desk concert. And I love that like I’m not completely sure if he had a set pick setlist picked out when he got up on that stage two record, because he’s a musician. So it was a very human performance. Versus like when I watched your dinners, there was like choreography. And everyone knew the transitions to the next song. And because I’m not a musician, I just learned to perform. It’s like just lean on the over preparation. And no, every single moment that’s happening, that’s the theater in me.

Traci Thomas 19:01
Yeah, yeah. But I just feel like the best performances are the ones where it’s totally planned out. And then the artist gets to like, do their thing. You’re right, the riffing within the work. Versus like there’s also the other version where someone’s like super sloppy, and they’re not prepared and I despise that. Yeah, but like, when I think of like actors like I don’t like Jennifer Lawrence because I think she’s too refined. She’s trying too hard. She’s showing me her work. I want an actor who’s like totally prepared knows all their lines gets to set does the whole thing and then you can tell they’re like fucking with the other. Yeah, like you can tell that they’re having a good time. Yeah. Whereas Jennifer Lawrence like wants credit for for being there. She was like, I did it. I practiced I studied like I’m an actor.

Cree Myles 19:48
I get you. Yeah. Did you watch the book club episode of passing with Netflix? Because they said Ruth Neva did not watch it. Yeah, Ruth Negga was huge into like, I’m doing something different tell So are you ready? Let’s go. So I feel that that’s crazy.

Traci Thomas 20:03
Well, and because she comes from theater, I were I’m gonna watch it before. So for people who are at home listening to this, we’re doing passing at the end of the month for book club. And so I haven’t watched it yet. I’m gonna reread the book, I think one more time just because I had so many feelings and thoughts about it. But Ruth Negga is playing Lady Macbeth on Broadway opposite. Right, Daniel Craig, soon. I want to say previews start maybe in February or March with an opening in April, I believe. I’m like considering going to New York just to see it. Because me too. Now. Yeah, maybe we need to, we need to go to New York.

Cree Myles 20:43
That’s dope. That’s amazing.

Traci Thomas 20:45
Yeah. But I believe that about Ruth Negga, because she has that theater background, especially shaped because she has a history in classical theater. I feel like that’s like a really common thing in classical theater is like, classically trained actors are super prepared married to the text, but then also have to find a way to like, make it feel fresh and interesting. And I think that’s why I’m drawn to that sort of performance style, which has nothing to do with books, but it has to do with my heart.

And there was a period because your heart matters matter.

My show, so fuck you if you’re annoyed.

Cree Myles 21:20
I love it.

Traci Thomas 21:21
Okay, let’s go back to you a little bit more about about your reading life. You read widely, you don’t read specifically, only black authors. So I’m curious about this job that you took on where it’s like, Okay, we’re gonna uplift specifically and only black authors. Has that changed the way that you read? Has that brought you a different appreciation for black authors, authors who are not black, like, what is that done to you as a reader thinker?

Cree Myles 21:50
Well, one, it’s really limited my time to be able to read other stuff. Like I really wanted to read The Hobbit this year. And I just didn’t have time because I had to read books by black authors. And so that, like, it’s a part that I mourn, but the part that I’ve discovered that I’m I’m slow to the game on is that the canon is like, damn near being written right now. And to be here, while that’s happening, and to like, have a little voice and it all is so humbling, like I can’t, like I put down when I put down the prophets, I was like, damn, this is canon. And it came out this year. That’s crazy. Like, I don’t even know how the word is passed is gonna live forever. And it came out this year, like, so that has been, I really, truly believe that we’re in some type of renaissance right now, which thrills the fuck out of me. I’m like, I really get to be here and do this. I came just in time, because I have come to terms with like, Yes, I work hard as fuck, I took a lot of chances. I was very strategic. But I’m also just lucky to and look, this is amazing, you know?

Traci Thomas 23:04
Yeah, I definitely agree that we’re in some sort of some sort of moment that maybe started a little bit ago, but it’s really like, I think like Jasmine Ward, sort of maybe is like the beginning. Like to those violent. Maybe like, sing unburied sing. No, maybe, maybe, yeah, maybe like, two I was thinking more like 2010 ish. Okay. Yeah. Like, I mean, there are people who have been doing the work previous, but I just I’m thinking about, like, what are the books, the more recent books that I feel like art, you know, instant classics? I don’t know. But like, I mean, obviously, like a book like heavy which everyone knows I love like that books. Yeah, be here forever for. But I also think about, like, long division. You know, like, that was 2013 I think. And so I wonder if that’s sort of like the beginning because I think people I mean, Robert will say this, like people who are writing these books now we’re reading, obviously, our previous cannons, but the Gamberi cannon like, yeah, those books have impact on them. So yeah, I definitely think that we’re in a really cool really Yeah, moment.

Cree Myles 24:14
And that added with the influencers, like so. Like the Canon being written real time along with this spsA has said like this dedicated body of people who are going to take the work and review it and spend time with it and celebrate it. This is crazy. This is really cool.

Traci Thomas 24:34
Yeah, it’s super cool to get to be part of it, too. Like, I don’t know, I think about my kids, and I’m like, I’m gonna get to be like, Do you know who mommy knows? Mommy knows Jason Reynolds. Like, it’s crazy. It’s a crazy thing. Like it’s, it’s just I as a person who loved books and like thought authors were cool forever. Like it’s crazy to get to know Do them, not know them, but like to get to interact with them and engage with them and like, learn from them in real time. Like, I’m, I’m so excited about that.

Cree Myles 25:10
It’s really, it’s really a privilege. And yeah, and like you said, because I said my whole spiel from first grade, and then I fell in love. And then I moved on to Beverly Cleary, I’m a traditionalist all the way with children’s books, like I didn’t really read. There, I went to a white school, so I didn’t, there just wasn’t a lot of access. But I love to Beverly Cleary so much that I read Amon read her autobiography in second grade. So like, it’s, I’ve always connected with the way authors operate. And then, like my first experience with libraries, I realized that I am a person who is constantly feeling overstimulated by sensory. And like, when I walked into the library and learned that it was like, preferred and required that everyone was quiet, and you’re just around all of these ideas. I was like, This is how Heaven is it gonna look like this is? So I love both I love to read, right? The Heaven is just going to be a quiet place to read with room service for food.

Traci Thomas 26:15
That’s it, and lots of tea.

Cree Myles 26:19
In really beautiful cups. I’m all about the aesthetic, like I need different, like tea cups and stuff. Yeah, it’s gonna be perfect.

Traci Thomas 26:28
I can’t wait to get there. Hopefully I don’t fuck myself over and I end up in hell with loud people, horrible books and like, solo. A nightmare.

Cree Myles 26:37
Hell is the hell that we think it is. It’s not going to actually be fun. It’s literally going to just be Whiteman. And I can’t that’s not gonna I’m gonna be like, What did I do rock?

Traci Thomas 26:46
Yeah, well, it’s funny, you say that you’re like you’re a traditionalist, like with kidlit, like growing up because of where you were in everything I feel that way about, about a lot of the books that I love, not so much children’s books, but I love a lot of books by white men, because I really like investigative journalism. And like, one of the things that’s been interesting about this show and reading kind of in a public way is like, I get super embarrassed about that. Like, I feel like it makes me like less black or something, which I know is not true. But I do feel that way. Yeah. And so I always have to really balance. My, what I like to read with what I think I should be reading was what I want to be reading because like, the books I always want to talk about are not the books written by white men. Yeah, you know, and like, that’s why this show doesn’t have that many white men on the show, because I’m just not interested in talking to those authors or talking about those books. Yeah, but I still read them. Yeah, you know, and like, it’s such an interesting thing, which is sort of why I was asking you what it’s like how it’s changed your reading to be reading exclusively black authors for work. Because, like, you know, I track every single book that I’ve read since 2016. Yeah. And to see the way that, you know, the number, the percentages of like, ethnicity has changed over the last five years is like, really, it’s it’s a weird thing to see. Yeah, I didn’t know a lot of these books existed, and a lot of them didn’t exist, right.

Cree Myles 28:11
And like, so that’s my thing, because I always think about Jason Reynold’s quote about like, he writes for black children, he writes to black children, but he writes for everybody. And I was thinking like, damn, I really love Ramona in the past, but I was like, Jason didn’t exist when I was in second grade. So I mean, I really just had Beverly Cleary, who was an excellent children’s writer as well, like, we’re not like she just is white. So yeah, it does. I feel you it gets really it gets tricky. And like my entry point for poetry was Mary Oliver. I love Mary Albert, because you know, I just want to be outside all the time. And I just am. It is I always just want don’t want it to feel like a performance. And then you know, we always carry the extra hassle of like, white in book influencers just to get to be book influencers, but we always have to get pigeonholed into this, like black. And then it’s the extra juxtaposition because my energy source does come from Audrey Lorde and Toni Morrison and Alice Watkins are now hers and like, I love them, I pray at their altars, but I also really love Beverly Cleary like, I really do so. And she was like, she informed my formative years. So I don’t know. I just wish they would just I wish everyone would just be okay with making space for that. Like, why? Yes, I feel you that the guilt is real. I don’t know.

Traci Thomas 29:40
Yeah. Like, I feel like when there are people who are like I only read black authors, I’m like, Oh, I’m a horrible person. Like I really do feel bad about myself.

Cree Myles 29:49
Yeah, I really like and it’s like some books that like hills that I will die on. Then you really are missing Ursula K liquid like she was a baddie. So just Don’t do that just don’t read sucky books read goodwill to where they come from. Right?

Traci Thomas 30:06
And I think so much about like, for me again, like nonfiction and these like investigative journalism books, you know, part of the problem is like who are journalists are usually white people. Yeah, like that’s yeah, that can’t, that can’t be fixed. But it’s like then I don’t get to read blood in the water, which is like one of my all time favorite books and it’s about black and brown men and it’s written by a white woman, like I just don’t get to read that book. Exactly. And I don’t want to live in a world where I didn’t get to read that book twice now because because

Cree Myles 30:36
Because of identity politics, exactly. The identity politics that is thrust upon us because we’re full people, despite our blackness. And because of that, we get permission, we have permission, we should give ourselves permission to read everything. Because our blackness isn’t defined by literally anything. We’re just black. Regardless, we’re black.

Traci Thomas 30:57
All ways, all ways black. Boom, plug it, follow the Instagram. I didn’t prep you for this. But this is our Ask the Stacks segment where someone has written in asking for a book recommendation, I’m going to read you their letter. I’m going to give them three recommendations. And then you can give them 123, whatever you want. Okay, this is from Sheila. Sheila says, I’m looking for a book in the speculative fiction genre or something that has elements of magical realism, something that feels escapist with a story that I can lose myself in. But that doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. My favorite book is never let me go. And I’ve also really enjoyed stories of your life and others, the removed and legend born. Okay, so I’ll give Sheila some recommendations while you think. Okay, I already mentioned this one. But my first one is long division by Kiese Layman. It’s sort of speculative V. fictiony. Time travel. It’s about young people. It’s fun. It’s actually like kind of a joyful read. And I really, I was super intimidated to read it because I think Kiese is so smart and great. And I thought it was gonna be like too smart and great for me. But it was like super approachable and lovely. And I had such a fun time. So that’s one, two is a classic. It’s Kindred by Octavia Butler. Time Travel speculative fiction also actually think these two books are super in conversation with each other long division and kindred. And then my last one is not escapist, necessarily. But it is station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel. It’s a little heavy for the times because it’s about a pandemic. I read it in 2018. Before and so when the pandemic started, I was extra scared because I was like, Oh, I know how this goes. We’re all dead. A few of us are reciting Shakespeare on a RV pulled by horses, but like so. It’s a lot. It’s heavy. I don’t know if you can read it right now if you’re a person that like can’t handle what’s going on with COVID and Omicron, and all of that. But it is a beautiful book. It’s also now an HBO series. I’m watching it. I’m on episode four. I think there’s going to be 10 It’s super different than the book.

Cree Myles 33:14
I really need to get into Station Eleven it sounds like?

Traci Thomas 33:17
it’s so good. It’s so beautiful.

Cree Myles 33:20
I’m going to do that. Okay, my suggestions are wild tea by Octavia Butler. It the topics are are heavy, but I feel like it happened so long ago like the setting is so long ago that you can kind of remove yourself because she doesn’t like stay there all the time. We’re moving all the time. Demigods shapeshifters. It’s fun. And then the second one is Ursula kala Gwynns. The Word for World Is Forest. It’s short. It takes place on a different planet with some like beans that really give raccoon to me like I don’t. I feel like every time I think about them, I think the raccoons, but like beautiful social commentary and racial constructs and elitism and classism, and you will finish that in a day.

Traci Thomas 34:11
Okay, I’ve never read any Ursula kala Gwen.

Cree Myles 34:15
Dispossessed is like one of my three favorite books of all time. It’s, it’s brilliant.

Traci Thomas 34:22
Okay, well, that’s a perfect place to start. Two books. You love one book you hate.

Cree Myles 34:29
So The Bluest Eye is the reason that I am on Bookstagram. And because I love it so much. And the dispossessed is another book that shaped like is the last book I read before I graduated college and it just kind of informed the way that I was going to move around the world. And hmm, I’m so anti confrontation right now. Like the book that I hate is like a recent book. So I don’t want to say it because when I really talk to I can’t A book that I hate though. You know, I actually had a really hard time with Octavia Butler’s exogenesis series. I got through like the first book half of the second one, and I don’t get it.

Traci Thomas 35:19
I’ve never read it.

Cree Myles 35:20
It’s like Lilith’s brood, and like they’re on a ship and that people are having sex with the aliens. And I’m like, What is going on? I don’t get it.

Traci Thomas 35:30
Okay, what’s the last great book you read? Definitely the prophets. I haven’t read it create, I can’t, I cannot read it. I’m paralyzed by fear. Because I just know it’s going to be too heavy for me. And I got it in 2020. They sent it to me earlier. And I have been saying that I would read it since then. And I was like, I’m gonna finish this book before the year end. I have to and I just, I cannot pick it up. I cannot.

Cree Myles 35:58
Traci, I was like, I’m walking through the house crying. And Ethan is like, Oh, you’re reading the prophets as like, yeah, like, while I do the dishes, they’re like, I’m sitting on the bed, the couch, and Brian comes home from work. And I just go off at a tangent. Because Robert never gives you a break. Like, beloved, it took place after they were on the plantation. So we have to go back sometimes, but then at least you get to like go to present day where it’s not happening. And like the water dancer, we were on that plantation in Virginia, but everybody loved the protagonist, because he was gifted. And we only had that one scene we had to get through. But Robert never takes you off the plantation. You’re there every day for everything is to watch.

Traci Thomas 36:48
I just have to read it. It’s like, it’s one of the few books that I want to read so badly and cannot do it. And I you know, I don’t shy away. I know. I know. For some, I just really want to like it. And I just don’t feel like I’m in a place where I can like it. And so I’m just waiting until I feel like I’m ready for you. I might have to like be on a vacation or something away from my children like, yeah, I just I don’t know that I can handle it. Because yeah, I don’t I also don’t read a ton of books about slavery, I just extinction dies.

Cree Myles 37:21
It’s too much.

Traci Thomas 37:22
I’m not curious about fictitious versions of slavery.

Cree Myles 37:27
I mean, that’s honestly, I’ve only read the first chapter of how the word is passed. And we did all that deep dive into Monticello and George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Same difference. And I was like, after I finished that I was like, I didn’t really need to know the details of like, he owned people and was rich and was a white man. Like, I that’s I’m good. I don’t need to know those 600 people I didn’t need to know, I don’t care. So I feel you like I didn’t I didn’t need context.

Traci Thomas 37:58
That’s interesting. See, I’m the opposite. I’m super curious about slavery in nonfiction. But in fiction, I’m just like, I don’t need your fictionalized imagination of this horrible thing, because I already know these horrible things. And like, I don’t want you to make it more horrible, because I know you’re gonna, because you chose to write a book about slavery. So you’re gonna make me feel horrible, even though I already know it’s horrible. I’m like, I don’t I just, I feel the same way about about fiction about like the Holocaust. It’s a no for me. I’m not,

Cree Myles 38:22
I didn’t know there was I didn’t even know like, genre-

Traci Thomas 38:26
The tattooist of Auschwitz or whatever. You know, I’m just I don’t- couldn’t be me. Not gonna do it.

Cree Myles 38:32
I defend fiction around slavery from a black perspective, just because we have so few of those shows. But again, it’s literally like every two years. So I just read the prophets. So I’m good until 2024.

Traci Thomas 38:47
Well, so there’s a book coming out in 2022 called yonder by Jabari Asim that’s being compared to the prophets meets the water dancer. And dish affiliate told me to read it because she said, it’s great. And the author’s great. And so now I’m like, is this gonna be my next slavery book that I’m too scared to read? And I put? Well, I’ll let you. I’m gonna try.

Cree Myles 39:11
I’m gonna tell him right now. I’m sure it’s beautiful. And you will hear for me in 2025.

Traci Thomas 39:16
You just push it back the next three years.

Cree Myles 39:19
You’ll hear from me in 2030.

Traci Thomas 39:22
You’re like, I need two years. And then you’re like, you’ll hear from me in 2024. And I was like, well, that’s a little extra. And then you were like, 2025 and now I’m feeling like this. jabariya Sema is not gonna hear from you. I have a feeling.

Cree Myles 39:33
But I will. I’m rooting for everybody. Black period. So you got this?

Traci Thomas 39:38
Yeah, I’ll let you know. It’s a little shorter than the province which is also giving me hope for myself. Yeah. Okay. What are you reading right now? And do you read multiple books at once?

Cree Myles 39:48
I do read multiple books at once. I am reading how the word is passed. And there is this copy of shorts by Tolstoy at my local library that will Locky Public Library. If you’re listening to this, whenever you decide to sell this book because it is falling apart, call me first, because I deserve the copy of the book. Because I’ve checked it out so many times. I love Leo Tolstoy so much. And I haven’t read any of his novels. I just keep rereading these for no way called their home page. No, it’s like in Russian there. It’s like a whole vast maybe, like it’s a it’s a long short story. And given like the life that he lived, he has excellent commentary on family dynamics and relationships and everything.

Traci Thomas 40:43
Well, we read Anna Karenina on this podcast, and I never have to read another one of his things ever again, to be honest.

Cree Myles 40:48
You just have to get through one of them. And I don’t know why I keep shying away from when it will, because they’re 3000 pages. And I should have read Anna Karenina with ya.

Traci Thomas 40:56
I tried to get you to, but that episode is there for you whenever you finish. Okay, how do you a person who works in publishing is on Bookstagram is an avid reader reads the time? How do you decide how to pick your next book?

Cree Myles 41:12
I mean, I’m an emotional reader. And actually, thanks to always black, I don’t really have to keep track of anything, because people are constantly pitching me books to read. So I just I give everybody the good 50. And then if I like it, I keep going. And if I don’t, I don’t. So that’s really what’s been driving my reading decision since June.

Traci Thomas 41:34
50 pages, 50%?

Cree Myles 41:38
If I if I don’t love it within 50 pages, then I’m not going to keep reading it.

Traci Thomas 41:42
And you don’t have a problem putting things down?

Cree Myles 41:45
Oh, no. Depends. I mean, if somebody I love gives me a recommend somebody I trust gives me a recommendation, then I’ll keep pushing through because like this possess starts off really slow, but it’s worth it. But if no one has suggested it to me, and it’s just getting pitched to me, then I I won’t keep going.

Traci Thomas 42:03
Oh, wait, I forgot to ask you this. What are some books you’re looking forward to, especially at the top of this year? What are what are some things?

Cree Myles 42:11
So I’ve heard really good things about cherish Farah. So I’m really excited to read that. And then there’s a book coming out. And it’s sci fi called glory by a black woman, I think a black author. So I’m super excited for that. I just saw that Brandon Taylor finished the rewrite of his second novel. I am holding my breath. I hope it comes out next year. I don’t know that I’d like.

Traci Thomas 42:37
I said, I think it’ll be 2023.

Cree Myles 42:41
Well, I hope he gives us some shorts in the meantime, or something. I don’t know. And then, you know, I found grill over Tallahassee and he like deleted his Instagram account. So I hope that means it’s going.

Traci Thomas 42:55
Oh, good. Me too. I love him. He’s Yeah, he’s from my original dream list of this show. He’s one of the few people left who’s not an Obama or Oprah on that list.

Cree Myles 43:06
But damn near at this point, like he damn near is he is.

Traci Thomas 43:11
I’m fully prepared for him and his people to tell me no, but I’m gonna call everyone I know who’s ever met him and beg until he gets here. So whenever you’re ready, no rush. I’m not going to push it until the whatever is next comes out. But then I’m aggressively obnoxious.

Cree Myles 43:27
On it, period. Yeah, you’ll get through.

Traci Thomas 43:30
Are there any things you wish were different about your reading life?

Cree Myles 43:34
I mean, honestly, I don’t know if this is the code directly answers the question. But honestly, the two year old, it’s just so hard to like read with a two year old around and like, I know, it’s my job. And I love reading and I want to do it. But then I also just kind of want to be fully present to hang out with Nat. And I’m always like half thinking about what I should be doing when I’m doing the other thing. Yeah. So it’ll be easier once he’s a little older. I think for me to just like in school.

Traci Thomas 44:08
Yeah, I can relate. The two year old problem is a problem. A problem? Yeah, they’re super annoying too. It’s like can you do you not see that? I’m trying to read this. Why are you sitting on me and trying to rip the pages out?

Cree Myles 44:21
Sitting on me on me or like whispering in my ear like now I’m not responding so now you’re-? No!

Traci Thomas 44:33
I get my kids are not really talking yet that much. So I just get like screaming and like little eliminare blah, blah, blah. And I’m like, what? I’m throwing they throw things I’m like, can you fucking not? They’re psychotic. Yeah, the throw inzerillo Throwing what’s what? It’s a rock you’re throwing?

Cree Myles 44:54
Yeah. Endless. Yeah. No, yeah, we were at somebody’s car on the street. that he’s just thrown a rock at somebody’s car. I just-

Traci Thomas 45:04
Oh yeah, I like the thing I wish was different about my reading life was that I made better choices two years ago. Just kidding. My mom listens to the show and she’s gonna be like, I can’t believe you said that about your children. Sorry, Mom.

Cree Myles 45:21
No, I love them. We love them. They’re just, they’re just annoying.

Traci Thomas 45:25
Okay, do you have any favorite bookstores?

Cree Myles 45:27
No, I’m a library bitch. Like, I love the library. All the libraries. I went like when I go to my grandma’s house and kasi ESCO, I always go to the Kazi ESCO Public Library, our library and Milwaukee, our library system is beaut wonderful. And our central library is grand and marble and I love it.

Traci Thomas 45:49
What’s the last book that made you laugh?

Cree Myles 45:51
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour and I listened to the audio. The audio is so good. Yo, when Jason was getting interviewed by that woman on the corner, and I don’t give a I was crying laughing in the gap because I was Christmas shopping.

Traci Thomas 46:11
That is a good that’s a really good audio book one of my favorites of the year. What’s the last book that made you cry?

Cree Myles 46:16
Prophets.

Traci Thomas 46:19
What’s the last book that made you angry?

Cree Myles 46:23
I mean, prophets and Black Buck both made me mad for different reasons. So both of those and how the word is passed has not made me mad yet. But I still have to get to the chapter about Angola. So I’ll be mad soon.

Traci Thomas 46:38
I think that’s your next chapter.

Cree Myles 46:40
Great. Can’t wait. Yeah.

Traci Thomas 46:43
And the chapter on the Whitney plantation is gonna make you mad. And the chapter on Blanford cemetery is gonna make you mad. And the chapter on well, like every chapter is like, kind of just like, Okay, fuck you. It’s a book where you felt like you learned a lot.

Cree Myles 46:57
My inner feelings by Cathy Park Hong and undocumented Americans, which again, speaks to like, boxing yourself into this tired identity politics to read. You’re also like denying yourself other BiPAC folks, so like, just read everything, but I learned so much reading those two books.

Traci Thomas 47:19
Yeah, yeah. And with undocumented Americans use the play on form the way she kind of played around with the forum

Cree Myles 47:26
It was yes, yes, it was brilliant.

Traci Thomas 47:29
What’s a book that brings you joy?

Cree Myles 47:33
Any and everything by Toni Morrison. I feel seen in ways that I don’t even understand yet. Like and it just feel I get I have so much joy, feeling that because I have felt so invisible, like, the way that I would actually want to be seen for so long. So that I mean, Tony, I think saved my life in some ways with that.

Traci Thomas 48:00
And your favorite of hers is The Bluest Eye.

Cree Myles 48:03
Yeah, every like three people told me to read Paradise this year. So that’s just got to be my next read, but I’ve read Bluest Eye, Beloved, Tar Baby, Jazz, and Songs of Solomon.

Traci Thomas 48:17
Okay, are there any books you feel proud about having read?

Cree Myles 48:21
Honestly, my flex right now feels very Ursula K Le Guin, like it shocks me that, like people don’t necessarily know who she was or like how brilliant she was. And the fact that I have read a few. Morrison’s a few Walker’s a few her sins a few bottlers, it makes me feel well read. Like I feel like I can walk into any room. And and I haven’t read like I’ve never been able to get through a Faulkner short, but like, I feel like it’s flex-y enough. It’s the as far as white men go. It’s the Russians. I read Tolstoy, I read Vladimir Nabokov. Oh, just those two but that’s enough.

Traci Thomas 49:06
It’s plenty Russian for me. What about any books that you are embarrassed that you’ve still not read?

Cree Myles 49:16
Yeah, I mean, I just haven’t read enough Baldwin. Like Me too. It’s it’s really shameful.

Traci Thomas 49:23
I struggle with Baldwin. I gotta be honest. I feel like Morrison I’m intimidated by both of them. Morrison. Every time I pick one up is actually incredibly more readable than I think it’s going to be and every time I pick up Baldwin, especially the nonfiction it’s incredibly more difficult to read than I think it is. Like it takes a lot more of my brain power.

Cree Myles 49:45
Yeah, I like the Quiet Room. Like you can’t have anything happen yet. Yeah. And I don’t have that option.

Traci Thomas 49:51
Yeah, I really struggle so I just sort of have stopped attempting the fiction is a is a read more readable for me, but the nonfiction of his is a lot. It’s called really complicated, which really is saying more about me and not anything about him. It’s just like, I don’t have the brain brain space right now to do it.

Cree Myles 50:10
I blame it on the timing in our lives like I really do. That’s it, we’ll do it. Eventually.

Traci Thomas 50:16
Yeah, I’ll get there. Yeah. Okay. Are there any books of favorite books that are problematic favorites of yours?

Cree Myles 50:27
Not yet. I mean, because most of my favorite books are written by black women. And we are just not we’re perfect. So like, I don’t know. Anything problematic, so I do not have all of my other art forms. I have tons of problematic fave. But with literature I don’t that’s fun. I didn’t think you could for you.

Traci Thomas 50:53
Congratulations. You’re alone on an island because I have 1000 problematic face. Is there any book that you think people might be surprised to know that you love?

Cree Myles 51:07
I really am like, no, because they kind of know like, I ride for Mary Oliver and I ride for Ursula K liquid. And anyone who knows me like anyway pass like any like two levels in knows that I don’t like ride one ship really hard. Is there a stupid book that I love? Oh, I mean, I love the coldest winter ever. Is that a surprise? I read that at 14.

Traci Thomas 51:30
And like no I feel like everyone talks about that as that’s what people say is their problematic Fave sometimes though.

Cree Myles 51:37
Yeah, I just remember it that and she has this other book that I just read sister soldier in eighth grade. And it was no disrespect. And each chapter was named after a man that she like was messing with or like, whatever and I loved that shit. I wonder how much that informed my life because that was I should not have been reading that.

Traci Thomas 52:00
Everyone says they read it when they were young. I never read it I never read it. Oh my god. I also was like really at like a young age fucking with like hardcore nonfiction history shit. Like, we’re just like, always have like this shit. Like, all we see to it. Yeah, just like that’s what I was reading just adult books jersey.

Cree Myles 52:22
I was reading The Bell Jar it call this whatever. Like that.

Traci Thomas 52:25
I mean, that girl. I read some like kids stuff to like, and I read stuff for school. But like, I mean, I read like, I read Ragtime by El Doctorow as like a child, which is fiction, but like, is very historical. I don’t know. I just I have always been more curious about nonfiction. And so I just didn’t ever go off on any of that, like, secretly sexy shit, which probably explains a lot about me.

Cree Myles 52:55
That is so yeah, I was just building worlds together. Like, I’m emo like Silvia, but I’m also a black girl. So I’ll get it cropped. I’m both of these at the same time. Don’t ask questions.

Traci Thomas 53:09
Okay, you this is I’m very curious about this. And you can’t say yourself, even though I don’t know that you would want to, but who would you want to write the book of your life?

Cree Myles 53:18
Oh, no, I would not want me to write that.

Traci Thomas 53:21
Um, well, some people want to write their memoir. I don’t know.

Cree Myles 53:24
Oh, no, I want to be a fictionalized character. Because I want the I have been treating my life for the past six months, like a performance. So I’m just performing different characters. I don’t even know who I actually am. At this point. I’m just all these things put together. So, huh, My instinct is bread and Taylor. I need him to explode those cringy moments with my mother in law. Chris up, keep that in. And I and I just need someone who’s going to nail it. So like, don’t create my life is satirical. Like in so many levels. It’s satirical, and I need someone who can write the interworkings of the dynamic beautifully.

Traci Thomas 54:12
Got it? Okay, two more. One is if you were going to teach high school, what’s the book you would assign?

Cree Myles 54:20
I can’t do this because I was rare. You saw that I was diving Grapes of Wrath and townhouse. He was like, this is a great book. Kids shouldn’t get books assigned. And like Novels aren’t meant to be read in high school. And I was like, huh, maybe you’re right, cuz I didn’t really finish it. So in my high school English class, we wouldn’t be reading anything I did. It’d be a free Read. Read what you want.

Traci Thomas 54:47
That’s right. You do homeschooling so you’re into that whole track this tracks

Cree Myles 54:53
These kids read my book and then say they don’t get it. I’m gonna get mad.

Traci Thomas 54:56
Well, that’s when you’re supposed to teach.

Cree Myles 54:58
I mean, they’re like, Oh my god, that is so dumb. That’s when I get kicked out of school because I cussed out a kid. That’s fair. You’re dumb. And your mom probably.

Traci Thomas 55:07
You and your dumbass mom. I know you’re dumb mom wrote this paper for you and it’s bad.

Cree Myles 55:15
Terrible. Yeah, I don’t need I don’t need that job.

Traci Thomas 55:20
Okay, here’s the last one. I stole it from the New York Times. If you could require the current president of the United States to read one book, what would it be?

Cree Myles 55:29
Something about how to keep your fucking word. Like I don’t know like what’s a book about integrity and like the four agreements

Traci Thomas 55:39
That book we did on this very podcast.

Cree Myles 55:42
And the other one the out that the alchemist the alchemist. Yeah, he needs some of that. Yeah, that should. Yes. Cuz I don’t know.

Traci Thomas 55:51
I love it. I love it. I love it. You’re the first person to ever suggest the alchemist to the President. Which I love a book I despise though. I hate it. That’s a book I hate.

Cree Myles 56:02
Your eyebrows! It was Oh my gosh. Oh, wait, that book is trash.

Traci Thomas 56:12
I hate it. Oh my god. No, that’s see that’s the shit people were reading when I was like in high school and in college and being like, Oh, this is this is so profound. And I was like, This is why I’m reading about like Hitler. Because like, I am not interested in this bullshit. And like, I’m actually just really curious about how the world actually works. And not like someone walking across a desert like, trying to find their purpose or whatever. Like that is an episode of Sesame Street.

Cree Myles 56:42
It is. But in my defense, I read it while I was at my terrible first job surrounded by white people.

Traci Thomas 56:49
No, it’s fair. So other people are allowed to love it. I just was like, Wait, this is what all of you people are super into?

Cree Myles 57:00
I don’t want people in college reading like new release bestsellers. That’s when they’re supposed to be reading backlist, so I will be offended.

Traci Thomas 57:08
Yeah. Well, I was reading I read Gone With the Wind at that age book. My problematic. Why? Why did you read God? What? Because I love that movie so much. And I’d never read the book and the book is fucking phenomenal. I will I will fight anyone. Well, I mean, look, I will not actually fight anyone on it. Because I know that I’m wrong. And it’s horrible and problematic or whatever. But it’s one of the greatest books of all time, and I’m happy to have that conversation with anyone anytime I want to read it. It’s been it’s fantastic.

Cree Myles 57:39
Have you read Uncle Tom’s Cabin?

Traci Thomas 57:42
So yes, that’s a that’s a book I read at a very young age.because I was in a production of The King and I and you know, at the end of the King and I the dance with your children. Yes. I was one of those dancing children. And so I read the book, and I didn’t really understand it, but I read it when I was like 11 Yeah, okay. And it was boring. Yeah. And I never went back. I haven’t really read it as an adult. But again, you were reading coldest winter ever and I was reading Cabot like, I just built different you guys.

Cree Myles 58:11
I was also reading bell jar. I had a balance.

Traci Thomas 58:14
That’s right. That’s right. You had you had range. No, I know. But people always like, Oh, you didn’t read this children’s book? I’m like, No, I didn’t because I was I did read Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Cree Myles 58:23
I just I know some people are reading it right now and like picked it for their child to read. And I’m just wondering, like, is there anything in it worth pulling out? Like you just say Gone With the Wind? So I’m like, okay, I’d give it a chance. Tallahassee loved Grapes of Wrath. I’m like, oh, I should go reread that. So I’m wondering, is it because you know, Uncle Tom’s Cabin? It’s just racism racism? Like do it? Am I going to harm myself?

Traci Thomas 58:49
I don’t think you need to read it. I don’t know. I’m sure there are people who are smarter than me that say that you need to read it but I just don’t I think there are people who do need to read it for the scholarship and the work that they do but I don’t know that you need to read it just to like know it. I wouldn’t.

Cree Myles 59:04
Right, that’s how I feel especially without a balance like if you’re going to read that also read like kindred like do but.

Traci Thomas 59:11
I just don’t I don’t know the garment. The wind says anything new or is important any either, but it’s a book that I love. Because I love the movie and I love the story. And it’s a hell of a book. I mean, it’s a real fucking page turner. Okay, but I also understand that it’s like slavery propaganda. Yeah, the story the characters. Oh my god, Scarlett O’Hara. Good luck. She you know who the fuck am who am I life is modeled after Scarlett O’Hara a hunter. I gather.

Cree Myles 59:40
I forgot about the hunter. That has to live forever.

Traci Thomas 59:44
Yeah, well, now everyone knows my secret that I’m a psychotic competitive human who if you’re running if you ever see me out on a run, just know I’m coming for that ass.

Cree Myles 59:54
I am also a psychotic competitive human. I get it.

Traci Thomas 59:57
Yeah. That’s why we like each other because we’re both like You don’t have to apologize for being psychotic, combative, human.

Cree Myles 1:00:03
This is the truth. Oh, I love it.

Traci Thomas 1:00:05
This is it. All right, everybody. This is Cree. We’re out of here. We are going to be back on January 26th to discuss passing by Nella Larsen. It is a fantastic book. We are both going to have watched the movie by then also. Yeah, so if you want to know a little bit more have a little more context, you should just watch the movie too. I haven’t seen it. I can’t say that. It’s great. But I’ve heard that Ruth Negga is giving a performance of a lifetime period. So I’m super excited. The book is also short, everyone. I gave you a short book for the start of the year so you can get on the bandwagon. Cree, thank you so much for being here.

Cree Myles 1:00:46
Thanks for having me. Traci. This was a pleasure.

Traci Thomas 1:00:49
Yay. And everyone else we will see you in the stacks.

All right. That does it for us today. Thank you all so much for listening and thank you to cre for being my guest. Remember cre we’ll be back on January 6 The Stacks book club discussion of passing by Nella Larsen. If you love the show and want inside access to it, head to patreon.com/thestacks to join The Stacks Pack. Make sure you’re subscribed to The Stacks wherever you listen to your podcasts and if you’re listening through Apple Podcasts or Spotify, be sure to leave us a rating and a review. For more from The Stacks, follow us on social media at thestackspod on Instagram at thestackspod_ on Twitter and check out our website thestackspodcast.com. This episode of The Stacks was edited by Christian Dueñas, with production assistance from Lauren Tyree. Our graphic designer is Robin McCreight and our theme music is from Tagirijus. The Stacks is created and produced by me, Traci Thomas.

Megan Caballero
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