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Chloe Benjamin (@chloekbenjamin), author of The Immortalists, is on The Short Stacks this week to shed more light on her story of mortality, family, and the unknown. We also talk celebrity readers, coffee shop noise, and research. The best part is, this episode is spoiler free! • • Then when you’re done you can here our deep dive into The Immortalists with @jennaushkowitz (this one has spoilers) for #thestacksbookclub. Links to both episodes are in bio! #theshortstacks Long Way Down||Jason Reynolds • • A novel in verse about a teenaged boy who is trying to figure out how to respond to the murder of his brother. The book takes place is an elevator and over the course of only sixty seconds. • • Y’all, Jason Reynolds is the truth. This book is incredible. Sure it’s about gun violence, but it’s really about seeing the humanity in children who have been marginalized and cast aside. I loved that this book examines masculinity and authentic loving male relationships without feeling cliched or preachy. This book is about coping with grief and emotion and deep deep pain. It’s subtle in execution, but direct in driving home it’s points. • • Reynolds uses rhythm and word placement to make us feel like what we’re reading is happening in sixty seconds. He builds a world with ease and specificity. I was not only impressed with the emotional content of this book, but the technical skills used to put it all together. The pages even have texture all their own. Obviously I’m not the first to praise his work, look at all those stickers on the cover! • • I’m not one to read a ton of young people literature because it often feels condescending and reductive, but that is not this book. I understand why Reynolds is beloved by so many young folks. He clearly sees them and respects them and uses his platform to elevate their experiences. What a gift! • • Have you read any books by Jason Reynolds? Which ones are your favorites? • • Also while I’m gushing about him, go read Reynolds’ newest book Look Both Ways it’s incredible. Stay tuned for my review on that one, coming soon. #thestacksreview Who is weekend ready? I’m headed home to Oakland, to see family and read and chill out. I can not wait!!! • • I’ll be diving into We Cast a Shadow by @mauriceruffin for #thestacksbookclub. What’re you reading this weekend? #thestacks Another Brooklyn||Jacqueline Woodson • • The story of August, a twelve year old Black girl navigating a new life in Brooklyn. She moves north, with her father and brother, after her mother’s death. It’s the story of August growing up, finding new friends, and creating space her own space in the world. • • I’m so incredibly late to the Jacqueline Woodson train, but boy am I glad to be here now. This book is the best coming of age story I’ve ever read. She nails what it feels like to be Black and young and fearless and terrified and longing and female and free. She understands what it means to be searching and to be found. The complexities of getting older are handled with care but without any sense of preciousness. And she does all of this in less than 200 pages. That kind of brevity is rare, and a sign of true mastery. • • The love between August and her three friends speaks powerfully to beauty of Black female friendships. At times it took my breath away. There is an ease to Woodson’s writing that makes these young women come to life wholly and authentically. She doesn’t attempt to smooth over the traumas or stifle the triumphs Instead there is a reality filled with pain and heartbreak, and with so much joy. • • Help me out, what Jacqueline Woodson should I read next? • • If you’ve read this book you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t read this one, don’t be like me, drop what you’re doing and spend some time with August in Brooklyn. #thestacksreview Jac Vanek is the final third of @theladygang to talk books over here on The Stacks. She talks about her start as a teenaged entrepreneur, her love of writing in books, and why she actually loves the books she was assigned in school. • • Are you team mark up your books? Or team keep ‘em pristine? • • Listen now. Link in bio. #thestacks 🏆Let’s talk awards🏆 • • After finding out that the @thebookerprizes was awarded to two books (thanks for keeping me in the loop @exlibrislls), I’ve had a lot of thoughts about the power and meaning of awards in art, especially on how access to the winner’s work may change and grow. • • I personally love a competition, but understand that arts awards are subjective and decided by committee, which means they’re fallible at best. It also means that the choice to award two books the top prize is political and says as much about the awarding body as it does the work. It also saddens me that first Black Woman to win (in the 50 year history of the award) is forced to share her moment. Some could argue the same in the other direction, but either way, pick a single winner. That’s the task at hand. • • What are your thoughts about book awards? How do you feel about the Man Booker Prize this year? Does an award make you more likely to read a book that wasn’t on your radar? #thestacks

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