Podcast Summary: The Stacks Ep. 361 – Reading Black Writers Gave Me Heritage with Temby Denton-Hurst
Episode Overview
In Episode 361 of The Stacks, host Tracy Thomas engages in an insightful conversation with guest Temby Denton-Hurst, an acclaimed author and journalist. The episode delves deep into Temby's relationship with literature, the significance of reading Black writers, and the communal aspects of book clubs. Additionally, they discuss Temby's novel Homebodies, upcoming projects, and share thoughtful book recommendations.
Introduction to Guest
Timestamp: [00:45 – 03:55]
Tracy Thomas warmly welcomes Temby Denton-Hurst to The Stacks. Temby is introduced as a staff writer at New York Magazine’s The Strategist and the author of Homebodies, a novel exploring themes of ambition, identity, and self-discovery. Tracy also highlights Temby’s popular Substack, Extracurricular, where she shares her thoughts on books, culture, and various other topics.
Notable Quote:
- Temby Denton-Hurst [04:04]: “I'm just, like, such a fan. Like, real, Like, I really reached out, like, with big fan girl energy.”
Temby's Reading Journey
Timestamp: [04:30 – 13:49]
Temby and Tracy discuss Temby's upbringing in Brooklyn and the DMV area, emphasizing how her diverse background influenced her literary perspectives. Temby shares her early love for reading, supported by her parents, and recounts how she devoured books from libraries and bookstores at a prodigious rate.
Tracy reflects on her own reading journey, highlighting her advanced reading skills developed during her undergraduate and master’s programs. She emphasizes the importance of deep, shared conversations that stem from engaging with complex texts.
Notable Quotes:
- Tracy Thomas [07:49]: “I was the kid who was like, I'm gonna take out 30 books every two weeks.”
- Tracy Thomas [11:05]: “...reading black writers for me, gave me heritage in a way that I thought was really important... knowing that you have lineage, both fictive and real, is so important.”
The Importance of Community in Reading
Timestamp: [14:19 – 20:24]
The conversation shifts to the significance of communal reading experiences. Tracy explains her passion for book clubs, particularly those focused on nonfiction, as they provide contextual understanding and foster meaningful discussions about societal issues. She advocates for intellectual curiosity and the value of being open to being wrong in group settings.
Notable Quotes:
- Tracy Thomas [16:58]: “Great conversations come out of people who are working from the same shared text.”
- Tracy Thomas [20:24]: “But I think for those conversations, like, we need to be having those conversations. That's the ancestry.”
Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
Timestamp: [24:09 – 27:49]
Tracy introduces a new collaborative podcast project named Silly, co-hosted with M.B.A. The podcast aims to blend critique and curiosity, exploring various media and their connections to broader social concepts. They discuss the inspiration behind the podcast and its intended format, which includes analyzing diverse primary texts and media artifacts.
Notable Quotes:
- Tracy Thomas [25:11]: “We were like, riffing and going back and forth... then we just started, like, no, let's do it.”
- Temby Denton-Hurst [27:49]: “What we are bringing to each other overlap and intersect.”
Discussion on Temby's Novel Homebodies
Timestamp: [28:16 – 33:10]
The duo delves into Temby's novel, Homebodies, which narrates the life of a Black woman navigating personal upheavals after losing her job. Temby discusses her motivations for writing fiction, highlighting her desire to tell love stories and create characters that resonate deeply with readers. Tracy shares anecdotes about how readers recognize Temby's voice in her work, emphasizing the emotional connection her writing fosters.
Notable Quotes:
- Temby Denton-Hurst [29:14]: “I just always want to write about love. So that's the direction that this next situation is taking.”
- Tracy Thomas [31:33]: “It's such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid... I was like, this is not for me.”
Book Recommendations and Ask the Stacks Segment
Timestamp: [38:21 – 56:23]
Tracy introduces the Ask the Stacks segment, where listeners can request book recommendations. They address a listener’s query about books suitable for an adventurous trip to Europe, particularly Paris and Berlin. Tracy and Temby recommend titles that blend travel narratives with engaging, reflective storytelling, such as Anna K. Away by Jenny Lee and Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada.
Notable Quotes:
- Tracy Thomas [38:22]: “Good Girl by Aria Eber, which is about, like, a girl who's, like, partying in Germany and she's Iranian and, like, vibing out.”
- Tracy Thomas [41:34]: “Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway... it's like my old school pick.”
Quick Round of Book Preferences
Timestamp: [56:23 – 65:13]
Tracy and Temby engage in a rapid-fire round, sharing their favorite books across various categories. This segment offers personal insights into their reading habits, favorite genres, and literary experiences.
Notable Responses:
- Favorite Book That Made Tracy Laugh: “Hope by Andrew Ridger” ([59:26])
- Last Book That Made Tracy Cry: “An American Marriage by Tayari Jones” ([59:30])
- Book Tracy is Proud to Have Read: “Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination” by Toni Morrison ([60:01])
- Embarrassing Book Tracy Hasn’t Read: “Custom of the Country” by Edith Wharton ([60:09])
Conclusion and Book Club Announcement
Timestamp: [65:08 – End]
Tracy wraps up the episode by reiterating the March book club pick, They Were Her Property by Stephanie E. Jones Rogers, and encourages listeners to join the discussion on March 26th with Temby as the returning guest. She emphasizes the welcoming and supportive environment of the book club, reassuring new readers that participation is accessible regardless of their background in history or academia.
Notable Quotes:
- Tracy Thomas [64:55]: “If you are intimidated by history books, academic books, read it with us... you're gonna be fine.”
- Tracy Thomas [65:08]: “Temby, thank you so much for being here. Thank you for having me and everyone else. We will see you in the Stacks.”
Additional Information: Listeners are reminded to support The Stacks through Patreon and Substack, where they can access exclusive content, join a vibrant literary community, and receive Tracy's unfiltered takes on book news and pop culture.
Key Takeaways:
- Heritage Through Literature: Both Tracy and Temby emphasize the profound impact of reading Black writers in shaping cultural and personal identity.
- Community Engagement: The importance of shared reading experiences and book clubs in fostering meaningful conversations and intellectual growth.
- Upcoming Projects: Introduction of Temby's new podcast Silly, aiming to blend critique with curiosity across various media.
- Literary Recommendations: Thoughtful recommendations tailored to listeners' interests, highlighting both contemporary and classic works.
- Personal Insights: Honest discussions about favorite books, reading habits, and the emotional journeys literature can trigger.
This episode serves as a testament to the power of books in connecting individuals, preserving heritage, and stimulating thoughtful discourse within a community.