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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.

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 ✅

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:

thestackspodcast.komi.io 

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

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