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Where to Start With Nonfiction: Traci Thomas on The Stacks
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Nonfiction doesn’t have to be intimidating—or boring. In this episode, I’m joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, to talk about the changing book landscape, how she built her long-running show, and why nonfiction can be just as binge-worthy as your favorite romcom.
We dive into trends in publishing, the rise of BookTok, and why Traci believes there’s a nonfiction book for everyone. She shares practical tips for finding the right style of nonfiction for your taste, her favorite starter recommendations, and how to embrace memoirs, microhistories, and narrative nonfiction.
📚 Books Mentioned
A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst — Genre: Survival Nonfiction | Reads like a novel
Allow Me to Retort by Elie Mystal — Genre: Law, Politics | Audio ✅
Bad Company by Megan Greenwell — Genre: Business, Private Equity | Audio ✅
There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone— Genre: Social Issues | Audio ✅
Evicted by Matthew Desmond — Genre: Sociology, Housing | Audio ✅
Open Book by Jessica Simpson — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (narrated by Michelle Williams) — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅
Heavy by Kiese Laymon — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅
Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar — Genre: Microhistory (Parking) | Audio ✅
Shade by Michelle Nijhuis — Genre: Microhistory (Public Spaces) | Audio ✅
Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez — Genre: Business, Fashion History | Audio ✅
The Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock — Genre: Business, Fashion History | Audio ✅
🕑 Time Stamps
00:00 — Traci’s podcasting origin story and The Stacks
03:00 — Shifts in publishing and BookTok trends
06:00 — Diversity, representation, and trans authors
09:00 — What to expect from The Stacks Podcast
12:00 — How Traci picks book club selections
14:00 — Publishers vs. audience-first book content
18:00 — The role of influencers in book discovery
22:00 — Why Traci champions nonfiction
24:00 — How to pick a nonfiction book you’ll love
27:00 — Keywords that reveal nonfiction styles
28:00 — Starter nonfiction recommendations
31:00 — Business, microhistories, and niche nonfiction
33:00 — Gossip, culture, and memoirs
35:00 — Where to find Traci online
✨ Follow Traci Thomas: