Podcast Summary: NPR's Book of the Day – "Through Politics, Fiction and Her Latest Novel, Stacey Abrams Aims to Inspire Action"
Episode Overview Released on July 28, 2025, this episode of NPR's Book of the Day features an in-depth conversation with Stacey Abrams, author of her latest thriller, Coded Justice. Hosted by Michelle Martin, the episode delves into Abrams' dual roles as a political activist and a fiction writer, exploring how her work bridges the gap between engaging storytelling and social justice advocacy.
Introduction to Coded Justice The episode opens with Andrew Limbong introducing Stacey Abrams and her new novel, Coded Justice, the latest installment in the Avery Keene series. Abrams is described as a multifaceted figure known both for her political activism in voting rights and her contributions to the fiction genre.
Engaging with Complex Issues Through Fiction Abrams discusses how her fiction writing complements her activism. She explains that both endeavors aim to engage people, fostering a sense of ownership and motivating action in societal issues.
“I try to take these complex real-world conversations and bring them into a space where I can terrify you. I can make you hopeful, but at the end of the day, you feel more ownership over your opportunity to do something about it.”
— Stacey Abrams [03:37]
Premise of Coded Justice Michelle Martin prompts Abrams to elaborate on the premise of Coded Justice. Abrams outlines that the protagonist, Avery Keene, transitions from a Supreme Court clerk to an investigative attorney who navigates the perilous intersections of artificial intelligence and healthcare.
“She's prepared for boredom, and that is not what she gets.”
— Stacey Abrams [02:12]
The novel explores how AI can be both beneficial and potentially abused within the healthcare sector, intertwining social justice themes with a gripping thriller narrative.
Incorporating AI and Healthcare into Storytelling Martin inquires about Abrams' inspiration for integrating artificial intelligence and healthcare into her novel. Abrams reveals that each of her novels starts with a pressing question.
“This one really was a combination of, how does AI work in our world? Why are we so bad at healthcare? And as we think about the intersection, I wanted to think about social justice issues.”
— Stacey Abrams [03:11]
She emphasizes her commitment to making complex topics accessible and empowering listeners to understand and influence these critical areas.
Political Activism and Recent Challenges Transitioning from her literary work, the conversation shifts to Abrams' political activism. Martin references the recent ethics investigation by Georgia's Republican-dominated state Senate into the New Georgia Project, a voter registration organization Abrams co-founded.
“The attacks that we're seeing are not grounded in any actual harm. It's that they're angry because I continue to do the work even without a title. And instead of matching that energy, they've chosen to launch attacks.”
— Stacey Abrams [04:51]
Abrams clarifies her limited involvement with the organization's leadership since 2017 and frames the GOP's actions as a broader assault on voting rights advocacy rather than a direct threat to the organization's operations.
Role and Identity: Balancing Activism and Writing Martin probes Abrams on her current role and how she perceives her identity amidst her various pursuits. Abrams describes herself as someone who strives to engage people through multiple platforms:
“Stacey Abrams does her best to engage people. So I have a podcast. I have a substack. I write fiction. I was recently doing an interview where I talk about how to understand this political moment in terms of the rise of autocracy. My job is to help people believe that they have the power of citizenship and that they have the right to make this country what they believe it should be.”
— Stacey Abrams [05:42]
She underscores the importance of citizenship and active participation in shaping the nation's future.
Potential Return to Electoral Politics When asked about the possibility of returning to electoral politics, Abrams remains open-ended:
“It's entirely possible. I mean, look, politics is a tool, and it's a tool that I have used before. It's a tool that I think is important, and I have used it in my world to help fight back.”
— Stacey Abrams [06:12]
She emphasizes her focus on strategic activism, utilizing various methods to effect change rather than committing to a specific role.
Diversity in Writing Genres: From Romance to Thrillers Martin touches upon Abrams' diverse writing portfolio, including romance novels, and questions whether Abrams has faced criticism for writing in genres some might consider less serious.
“I've written 17 books. My first eight were romance, and I used a pseudonym in part because I was also publishing articles on the operational dissonance of the income tax exemption.”
— Stacey Abrams [07:08]
Abrams defends her choice to write across genres, viewing each as a tool to foster positive change and engage different audiences. She rejects the notion that any form of storytelling is less valuable, championing the power of narrative in activism.
Conclusion The episode wraps up with a reminder of Abrams' latest book release, Coded Justice, and concludes with Abrams reiterating her appreciation for the opportunity to discuss her work.
Final Thoughts Stacey Abrams exemplifies the synergy between political activism and creative writing, using her platform to address and educate on pivotal societal issues. Through Coded Justice, she not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and healthcare, all while empowering them to take meaningful action.