Episode Summary: Horny for Books (with Tracy Thomas)

Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Guest: Tracy Thomas, Creator and Host of The Stacks Literary Podcast
Release Date: March 11, 2025

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction (07:04 - 02:42)

Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak warmly welcome their guest, Tracy Thomas, the creator and host of the critically acclaimed literary podcast, The Stacks. They describe Tracy as the ideal dinner party guest—someone genuinely engaged with books rather than superficially referring to them to appear knowledgeable.

Kulap: "She's the person we wished we were. She is Goals."

Tracy introduces herself humorously, downplaying her intellectual prowess while highlighting her genuine passion for reading.

Tracy: "I’m the dumbest person in the room. 99% of the time I just can read. But it doesn't mean that I'm smart."

2. Reading Culture in Los Angeles (03:08 - 05:01)

Tracy shares her observations on reading habits in Los Angeles, noting that while many residents do read, their choices often differ from traditional literature. The conversation highlights the prevalence of readers engaged in scripts and speculative genres unique to Hollywood.

Tracy: "People in LA read a lot, but because they're in Hollywood, they're A, reading things that have not come out yet or B, reading things being like, this should be optioned."

Sujin Pak adds, “People are reading all the time here. They just, they're reading different things.”

3. The Impact of BookTok and Romantasy (05:01 - 07:04)

The hosts delve into the phenomenon of BookTok, exploring its influence on popularizing genres like Romantasy and Fairy Smut. They discuss how these genres blend romance with fantasy, attracting a massive following.

Kulap: "BookTok is a thing."

Tracy: "I read these, those like, what is that? That horny, sexy, flying on a dragon."

Beth elaborates on the popularity of series like Court of Roses and Thorns and Rebecca Yaros' The Onyx Ring, emphasizing their widespread appeal despite their explicit content.

Beth: “Colored Television is about this mixed black and white woman who is trying to sell out from books to go into TV... it's straight hardcore porn.”

4. Favorite Books Highlighted (07:04 - 12:24)

Tracy shares her favorite books from the past year, including:

• James by Percival Everett: A satirical retelling of Huck Finn from Jim's perspective.

  Tracy: “It's funny, it's a satire, and it's super short, it reads super fast.”

• Challenger by Adam Higginbotham: A nonfiction account of the Challenger disaster.

  Tracy: “He sorts writes 1986 disaster books. It's very much his niche, and he's brilliant.”

• Colored Television by Danzy Senna: A satire about a mixed-race woman navigating Hollywood.

  Tracy: “It's set in LA, so it's just so LA. From the green juice to the driving and going into the canyons.”

Tracy commends these works for their sharp commentary and engaging narratives.

5. Strategies for Selecting and Dropping Books (12:24 - 16:09)

The conversation shifts to personal strategies for managing one's book collection. Tracy introduces a transformative approach to reading: prioritizing pleasure over obligation.

Tracy: "If you don't like a book, don't finish it. Leave it behind."

Beth echoes this sentiment, advocating for trusting one's instincts to avoid forcing oneself to complete unenjoyable reads.

Beth: “Don't go back to it. You don't even have to talk about it with your therapist. You could just be like, I didn't like this book enough to want to finish it and move on with your life.”

This approach emphasizes mental well-being by encouraging listeners to curate their reading lists based on genuine interest rather than external expectations.

6. Introducing the Brick: Controlling Phone Usage (20:15 - 29:53)

Tracy presents the Brick, a physical device designed to help users limit their smartphone usage by blocking distracting apps. The Brick requires physical interaction to unblock, promoting discipline and reducing digital distractions.

Beth: "It sticks wherever you want it... Any app that you want to have blocked from you is blocked."

The hosts discuss the benefits of the Brick in various scenarios, such as during dinner parties or for personal productivity. Tracy highlights its practicality and the positive feedback from friends and family who have adopted the device.

Kulap: "This is a game changer."

Tracy: “One brick, one fee. The app is free.”

7. Indulgent Treats: Nerd Gummy Clusters (30:05 - 33:32)

The discussion transitions to guilty pleasures, specifically Nerd Gummy Clusters. Beth shares her deep affection for these sweet treats, humorously recounting how they served as her coping mechanism during stressful times like the LA fires.

Beth: “This is the only thing keeping me alive right now. I was eating a bag a day for the two weeks after the fires.”

Sujin Pak and Kulap add their own anecdotes, illustrating how such treats provide comfort and a sense of community among friends and family.

8. Remove from Cart: Letting Go of Unwanted Items (48:28 - 61:12)

Tracy discusses her strategies for decluttering, focusing on removing books and non-essential gifts that linger in one's life. She emphasizes the importance of gifting items that are consumable and won't take up space indefinitely.

Beth: “Give me a snack. I'll enjoy it, I'll love it. And then it's gone. Don't take up space in my life.”

The hosts explore the psychological benefits of letting go of unnecessary possessions, linking it to reduced anxiety and increased mental clarity.

Sujin Pak: “We want to say Tracy did it. That's a game changer.”

9. Closing Thoughts and Future Projects (61:12 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Tracy hints at an upcoming project related to supporting those affected by the LA fires, generating excitement among listeners.

Beth: “I have a project that is in the very early stages... it's gonna be awesome.”

Kulap and Sujin Pak express their support, encouraging listeners to stay connected for future updates.

Kulap: “We would love to support you. Please.”

Notable Quotes

• Tracy Thomas [07:04]: "If you don't like a book, don't finish it. Leave it behind."

• Beth [15:00]: "You've just liberated me. You've uncuffed me from these. You're free handcuffs."

• Kulap Vilaysack [20:15]: "This is a game changer."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of Add to Cart, Kulap Vilaysack, SuChin Pak, and guest Tracy Thomas explore the intricate relationship between readers and their book choices, the impact of digital distractions, and the importance of intentional consumerism. Through personal anecdotes, practical advice, and insightful discussions, they provide listeners with tools to curate a more meaningful and fulfilling lifestyle.