Category: Top of The Stacks

Top of The Stacks — November 2021

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I am writing this to you at the end of the month feeling so confused that the month is already over. I feel like I did nothing all month, and yet I went to NYC (where I made my pilgrimage to Books are Magic), was on NPR again, hosted a Thanksgiving, and of course recorded a whole bunch of great episodes. So yeah, what do I know? Anyway, here are a bunch of things I was super into this month.

First off, I dropped a massive gift guide for the book lover in your life. These are all book adjacent gift ideas that are not actual books.

I have been living in this Target bra and legging set. I am obsessed. There is also a bodysuit, that I have, and love.

Today is also Giving Tuesday, so I rereleased this list of literary related nonprofits for you to support.

This endive and blue cheese salad is so good, and I don’t even like salad.

We lost a titan of the theatre this month, Stephen Sondheim, and this obituary was the best I read.

I got invited back to NPR’s It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders, except this time Sam was gone and I got to talk to the incredible Ayesha Rascoe about banning books. I loved this conversation.

The movie of Passing is finally out, what did everyone think?

I know we’re over turkey now, but this year I spatchcocked my bird and used this recipe from Sohla El-Waylly and it was per-fec-tion. Now you’ll be ready for next year. Oh, and I had the butcher at the grocery store do the spatchcocking for me, so it was even easier.

I talked Bachelorette Michelle on the Love to See It podcast with Claire and Emma. It was great.

I also bought these leggings this month. I live in leggings.

I got to co-host on one of my favorite shows, Yo, Is This Racist? again. It was a blast. We talked blackface on Halloween.

WHAT I READ IN NOVEMBER

THE STACKS NOVEMBER EPISODES

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Top of The Stacks: October 2021

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Here is a little glimpse of the best things I ate, wore, read, watched, and cooked this month. I also made sure to include my favorite chocolate based candy, because I think folks are sleeping on the goodness that is Reese’s Take 5 bars. Thank me later.

I found this article super interesting on the ways Black women are creating narratives around passing.

These are my favorite workout socks, and now they sponsor the show.

The best part of October is all the candy, my favorite chocolate candy are Reese’s Take 5 and if you don’t know you need to find out!

I was the guest host on Keep It! and it is a real life dream come true.

It finally got chilly in LA so I busted out my go to lasagna recipe I’ve been making/eating since 2005.

I wrote about these three books this month for my shereads.com column.

Wait, Lularich is the scam documentary of my life. I’d never seen or hear of these atrocious leggings but I’m all in now.

And of course the brilliant Sam Sanders did an episode on the documentary. Must listen.

Past podcast guest, Rebecca Carroll, wrote this piece on the moving Passing and it’s very good.

I got to talk about why books are the best on Nichole Perkin’s podcast, This is Good For You!

I know it’s a little early, but I did get the boys these Black Santa pajamas for the holidays and they’re perfect.

It’s not secret I love Colin Kaepernick, and his new show Colin in Black and White on Netflix is worth watching.

Sweater weather is here and I am ready in this cute and comfy (not itchy at all) cardigan.

I may or may not have started watching Succession at the start of the third season, I did not go back. I am the chaos.

Michelle, The Bachelorette, is here and I love it!

This is my favorite tea brand, and I finally tried their Chai tea bags, and they are very good.

WHAT I READ IN OCTOBER

THE STACKS OCTOBER EPISODES

The Stacks participates in affiliate programs. We receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on this website, and this comes at no cost to you. This in no way effects opinions on books and products reviewed here. For more information click here.

Top of The Stacks: September 2021

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It is already the end of September and I am truly confused as to where this month went. I got to go on a little getaway to a friend’s wedding in Oregon, met up with fellow book lovers Lauren (@literarylauren_) and Morgan (@nycbookgirl). I was in a major reading slump, but think things are getting better. I finished my read through of all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays. It took 39 months, but I did it. Also, as you’ll see, I spent a lot of time this month revisiting 9/11 and the ways it has changed so much of how we live today.

You know I love Sam Sanders, and he has Michaela Cole on the show this month, and it’s pretty spectacular.

Every year on the anniversary of 9/11 I read this piece. It has stuck with me, and this year there was also a podcast episode about the writing of this article. (Warning: There are graphic photos that accompany the article).

This Curry Salmon was so good and I made it with these charred green beans. I’m still thinking about this meal.

I loved this piece from Mitchell Jackson on grief, joy, and friendship.

I am not a pumpkin person at all, but I tried this pumpkin chai and I was pleasantly surprised.

Turning Point is a five part series on 9/11 and the history leading to the event and the repercussions thereafter.

Heather Ann Thompson wrote about Attica on the 50th anniversary of the uprising.

Speaking of the legacy of Attica, reading about what is going on at Rikers in NYC feels all too familiar.

Yes, these are still very much the only short I’ll wear.

Is anyone else obsessed with these Murdaugh murders and this podcast? This is a wild story that is very much still unfolding.

This oven-roasted chicken shawarma was so easy and so good. A perfect busy night dinner.

I’m pretending its not 80 degrees in LA in this sweater.

If you’re not already a member of The Stacks Pack on Patreon, you need to join. We just launched our first bonus episode (Kiese Laymon interview me), created a Discord community, and started a monthly list of book recommendations from an indie bookseller (Uncle Bobbie’s in Philly this month).

Imani Perry wrote a great piece Gayl Jones.

For those of you who are into this season of Bachelor in Paradise, this episode of Bachelor Party (hosted by friend of the pod, Juliet Litman) is so so so good.

This candle smells life a forrest which I am here for. It’s also huge.

I really appreciated this piece about interrupting as a (sometimes) sign of cooperation. It reminded me of this book about language and sexism, which I really enjoyed. Thanks to Tara for putting me up on the book.

My candy snack of the month has been these, Mr. Stacks had never heard of him, now we’re both fully addicted. They are SOOOO good.

I wrote about these three books this month for my shereads.com column.

WHAT I READ IN SEPTEMBER

The Stack September Episodes

The Stacks participates in affiliate programs. We receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on this website, and this comes at no cost to you. This in no way effects opinions on books and products reviewed here. For more information click here.

Top of The Stacks: August 2021

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I’m trying something new. I know I share A LOT about my taste in books, but I’m more than just books. So, inspired by Grace Attwood from The Stripe, at the end of each month I’ll be sharing all the stuff I was into all month long. It’ll be a mix of the things I enjoyed throughout the month like articles, podcast episodes, recipes, clothes, TV shows, and whatever else I think is worthy. I’ll also include a little round up of The Stacks for the month, and the books I read. This is the plan for now, but it could change. So if you have thoughts of what you’d like to see more or less of let me know in the comments!

This incredible article about how one family has coped with the loss of their son/brother/partner after his death on September 11th.

This article freaked me the fuck out, Californians, please vote NO on the recall.

This essay on the California recall was also fascinating.

This is the only tea I need.

My mom got me this new kettle for my birthday, and it is a dream.

Ways you can help folks in Haiti.

If you’re worried about COVID and kids, I found this episode of The Daily helpful.

The Stacks is offering bonus episodes over on Patreon, check it out.

I got to talk about one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, Othello, on The Book That Blank Podcast.

Did someone say Cacio e Pepe Panzanella with Corn and Burrata?

Feeling rageful these days, you’re not alone, this op-ed about the potential political ramifications of anti-vaxxer puts to words lots of my questions and thoughts.

How many of the 100 best YA books have you read? It looks like I’ve got some YA reading to do.

I hosted a conversation with author Laura Dave on IG live for Anthropologie and Simon & Schuster, they let me wear this cute jumper and I’m not over it yet.

My go to day time summer dress is on sale (the dress in the picture on this post).

I love a mess, so I obviously have been all in with F Boy Island.

Did y’all know about these cookies and not tell me?

My favorite mom accessory is my Kibou fannypack, and I was featured on their blog. You can use code THESTACKS for 10% off.

Finally an actually interesting conversation around celebrity #showergate. And yes, I’ve added the book to my TBR.

This Jeopardy host scandal is juicy. You can hear from the journalist who broke the story, Claire McNear, here.

I’ve got lots of mixed feelings on Malcolm Gladwell, but this episode about laundry was great.

My August book pairing column on shereads.com is live.

I’m slowly working my way through season two of Ted Lasso, and I’m so glad for a little joy.

In case you’re looking for things to do with all those summer peaches. Start here. End here. You’re welcome.

WHAT I READ IN AUGUST

The Stack August Episodes

The Stacks participates in affiliate programs. We receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on this website, and this comes at no cost to you. This in no way effects opinions on books and products reviewed here. For more information click here.