Book Riot - The Podcast: "Things We Love and Things We Hate About Talking About Books Online with Traci Thomas"

Release Date: March 19, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky
Guest: Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky are joined by Traci Thomas from The Stacks Podcast. Together, they delve into the intricacies of discussing books in the online sphere, exploring both the positives and the challenges that come with it. The conversation is structured around five things they love and five things they hate about talking about books online, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of book discussions in the digital age.

Giveaway Announcement

Before diving into the main discussion, Jeff announces a giveaway in collaboration with Aardvark Book Club. They are offering listeners a chance to win one of two Aardvark book boxes—one for literary fiction and another for genre fiction. To enter, listeners can follow a link provided in the show notes and choose their preferred box category. An additional entry method is available for those subscribed to the Book Riot Podcast Substack newsletter.

Things We Love About Talking About Books Online

1. Discovery of New Books

Traci emphasizes the advantage of online platforms in introducing readers to books they might not encounter otherwise. This serendipitous discovery enriches readers' experiences by broadening their literary horizons.

"One of the things I like most about talking about books on the Internet is that it means more books that maybe I would not have heard of otherwise come into my world."
— Traci Thomas [10:27]

2. Community and Connection

The online book community fosters a sense of belonging among readers who might otherwise feel isolated in their literary passions. Traci highlights the strength and support within her Patreon community, illustrating how members actively engage in activities like buddy reads and mutual support during crises.

"There is not like a popular discourse on the whole, for reasons that we can talk about, maybe when we get to hate for a second. But when you find a community or a reader or a podcaster or a substacker or, God forbid, a book talker that you connect with, it feels good."
— Jeff O'Neill [21:58]

3. Learning and Expanding Knowledge

Online discussions provide opportunities for readers to learn new literary terms and analytical concepts, enhancing their reading comprehension and appreciation.

"The way that I'm able to learn about specifically like, writing and books is really exciting to me as a person who always loved reading, but maybe didn't have that, like, background education."
— Traci Thomas [15:58]

4. Diversity of Voices

The internet democratizes book discussions, allowing for a wide range of genres and perspectives to be explored. This diversity enriches the literary landscape by highlighting voices and stories that might be marginalized in traditional publishing avenues.

"Having come of age on the Internet during, like, the early days of Internet 2.0... it's not just highbrow literary fiction and serious nonfiction that are valuable parts of a reading life."
— Traci Thomas [31:13]

5. Accessibility of Conversation

Book discussions online make literary conversations more accessible to a broader audience. This inclusivity allows readers from various backgrounds to engage in dialogues about books without the barriers of traditional literary criticism.

"The internet allows readers to connect who often feel isolated... and when you find a community... it feels good."
— Jeff O'Neill [21:58]

Things We Hate About Talking About Books Online

1. Overabundance of Books

The sheer volume of books available online can be overwhelming, making it difficult for listeners to keep up with recommendations and discussions.

"I hate that there's such a lot of books that I don't get to. That I want to get to."
— Traci Thomas [37:08]

2. Pressure to Recommend or Read Certain Books

Listeners often face unsolicited recommendations that may not align with their reading preferences, leading to frustration.

"I get those kind of recommendations or like, people coming to me and being like, have you read this?"
— Traci Thomas [10:59]

3. Toxic Comments and Misunderstandings

Public discussions can sometimes devolve into hostile exchanges, where genuine opinions are misconstrued as personal attacks, discouraging honest discourse.

"People love to tell me what to read without ever taking me into consideration."
— Traci Thomas [10:59]

4. Algorithmic Issues and Content Curation

Algorithms often prioritize content that maximizes engagement, which can lead to repetitive discussions and the marginalization of thoughtful conversations.

"The combination of short form video and algorithm... they've really encourage, like, liking books as a whole personality, which does not an interesting person make."
— Jeff O'Neill [55:19]

5. Monoculture and Lack of Big Moments for Books

Unlike movies or television, books rarely achieve widespread mainstream focus, making it challenging to create a unified cultural moment around a single book or author.

"There is no single text that anyone can talk about at length that does gets as much engagement."
— Jeff O'Neill [44:15]

6. Publishing Industry Frustrations

Traci expresses disillusionment with the publishing industry's practices, such as the reliance on sending free books for reviews without fair compensation, and the slow diversification of editorial voices.

"I hate that they don't pay book influence. I hate that they will be like, oh, we'll send you a book and a hat. And I'm like, no, babe, how much did the hat cost? Send me the check."
— Traci Thomas [65:08]

7. Misalignment Between Criticism and Appreciation

There's a struggle to balance honest critiques with the fear of offending authors, which can stifle meaningful discussions about a book's merits and flaws.

"I don't want to hurt the author's feeling... that's why we can't talk about books."
— Traci Thomas [46:32]

Conclusion

The episode provides a nuanced exploration of the benefits and drawbacks of discussing books in the digital realm. While online platforms facilitate discovery, community building, and diverse conversations, they also introduce challenges such as information overload, toxic interactions, and systemic issues within the publishing industry. Jeff, Rebecca, and Traci offer valuable perspectives on navigating these dynamics, emphasizing the importance of fostering genuine and respectful literary dialogues.

Listeners gain insight into the evolving nature of book discussions online, understanding both the empowering aspects and the significant hurdles that come with it. The conversation underscores the need for thoughtful engagement and systemic change to enhance the quality and accessibility of literary conversations in the digital age.

Notable Quotes:

• "Something that I hate about the book space is it's like... you're being mean to an author. And I'm like, no, I'm doing my job."
  — Traci Thomas [46:32]

• "The internet allows readers to connect who often feel isolated. It's not the most popular passion to have. It just isn't."
  — Jeff O'Neill [21:58]

• "I am not a critic. I don't know what the word for me is... my opinion about a book is just that. It's not a judgment about anybody else's opinion about a book."
  — Rebecca Schinsky [46:32]

• "Books are being an independently owned bookish media company, and you are one of one and we are one of more. But it's still a really tough rack."
  — Jeff O'Neill [65:06]

• "I always say I'm the stupidest person in the room because, genuinely, that's how I approach the work that I do."
  — Traci Thomas [75:35]

Upcoming Episodes:

• Patreon Episode: Classics You Actually Need to Have Read to Be Well Read
  A listener-submitted question explores essential classics for a well-rounded literary foundation.

• Midweek Show Guest: Laura McGrath
  An academic specializing in the publishing industry's statistics will discuss the most intriguing data in the world of books and reading.

• Fantasy Reading League: Collaborating with Laura McGrath to structure a fantasy league for books, promising a fun and interactive experience for listeners.

Connect with Traci Thomas:

• Podcast: The Stacks – Available on all major podcast platforms, releasing every Wednesday.
• Instagram: @thestackspod
• Website: thestackspodcast.com

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast. Be sure to subscribe and follow along for more insightful conversations about books and the ever-evolving world of reading.