Books Are Pop Culture is a show that provides insight into and cultural commentary on the latest and greatest in books, book news, and book culture—rightfully placing books at the center of the popular culture conversation. Hosted by Reggie Bailey and Ak
BAPC x Tiffany Clarke Harrison Is it better to approach literature with a feelings minded approach or a craft minded approach? If you were to ask Tiffany Clarke Harrison, author of the novel Blue Hour, she might say feelings are what you should always lead with. So this awesome conversation, another classic conversation, is one that includes feelings, honesty, authenticity and vulnerability that is bound to stick with any listener. Keep up with Tiffany Clarke Harrison Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 5.2.23 ***
BAPC x Lakiesha Carr An Autobiography of Skin by Lakiesha Carr is what we like to call fine art. It was classical and fresh. Full of pain & pleasure. Struggle & Progress. Love & Fear. A work that is bound to stand the test of time as long as the right readers continue to read and champion the work. This conversation, like the book itself, is a work of Fine Art that encompasses all of the topics referenced above & then some. Keep up with Lakiesha Carr Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 4.4.23 ***
BAPC × Diane Marie Brown If there are generational curses then there must be generational blessings right? According to Diane Marie Brown that is the truth and we dive into that and much more while discussing her debut novel, Black Candle Women. Keep up with Diane Marie Brown Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 10.26.23 ***
BAPC × Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton This episode is titled Mic Drop because only the first Black Poet Laureate of Houston & International Sensation could drop bars like she did nonstop for an entire episode. Listen here and make sure to check out Deborah's awesome memoir, Black Chameleon. Keep up with Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 7.7.23 ***
BAPC × Sowmya Krishnamurthy Hip-Hop's impact on the fashion industry has never been anthologized in the world of literature the way Sowmya Krishnamurthy did it with Fashion Killa. She made found time to tell us how she did it. Keep up with Sowmya Krishnamurthy Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 10.18.23 ***
BAPC × Jonathan Eig Martin Luther King Jr. was a very complicated hero & we spoke with Jonathan Eig about his MLK Jr. biography, King: A Life, and got to the root of several of complications, his lasting legacy, and then some. Keep up with Jonathan Eig Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 8.10.23 ***
BAPC × Edwin Raymond Edwin Raymond's An Inconvenient Cop teaches listeners, viewers, and readers that it is all about the numbers when it comes to the police force, and the police force wishes that he never informed us. Keep up with Edwin Raymond Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 11.30.23 ***
BAPC × Michael Harriot Discussing the New York Times bestelling Black AF History with Michael Harriot himself is the only true way to commemorate Black History Month as a literary podcast. Keep up with Michael Harriot Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 10.11.23 ***
BAPC x James McBride The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is James McBride's latest award winner (it won the Kirkus Prize in the Fall of 2023). We had the opportunity to discuss the novel along with talk about how many talented American writers there are, how much consideration McBride gives to all of the acclaim he has received over his career, the importance of reading books and playing musical instruments, and more. Keep up with James McBride Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 9.7.23 ***
BAPC × Jesmyn Ward Let Us Descend is Jesmyn Ward's latest masterpiece. We had the opportunity to discuss the novel along with some notable bits about her successful career, and the business of books. A classic & honest episode. Keep up with Jesmyn Ward Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop *** Recorded on 11.20.23 ***
BAPC x James Hannaham Didn't Nobody Give a Shit About Carlotta is a novel that opens the door to interesting conversations on the carceral system being the real cancel culture, marginalized individuals being more concerned with being human than being marginalized, Friendship, Change, New York City as an identity, James Joyce, Little, Brown, and Company being "a little more brown" and much more. James Hannaham was a blast to talk to. Full of wisdom, humor, a Jennifer Egan anecdote, and great vibes. *** Recorded on 5.13.23 *** Keep up with James Hannaham Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x David Santos Donaldson David Santos Donaldson's debut novel Greenland is a literary gift that keeps on giving. Through Kip Starling's journey towards publishing and the wilderness we are able to discuss the pursuit of art-making, the idea of a sacrificial pen, happiness being overrated, and several other interesting topics. Another episode not to be missed. *** Recorded on 3.26.23 *** Keep up with David Santos Donaldson Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Claire Jiménez One of the joys of recording is coming out with a new homie. One of the joys of being BAPC is that we seemingly come out with more new homies more times than not after a recording. Claire Jiménez, our newest homie, did some awesome work within What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez. In this conversation we talk about not believing the hype, writing the work that is truly interesting to you, what's really real, what does real representation of Puerto Rican women look like, the impact of colonialism when it comes to the languages we speak and have access to, & much more! *** Recorded on 6.22.23 *** Keep up with Claire Jiménez Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Rakia Clark What's beautiful about book land is its expansive nature. An aspiring literary citizen doesn't just have to work toward becoming an author. They can work toward becoming a publisher, a publicist, a marketer, a salesperson, even an editor. In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking with The Great One herself, Rakia Clark, Executive Editor at Mariner Books (HarperCollins) about her route to becoming an executive editor, the type of books she likes to acquire, what it means to stay true to her tastes, what's hot in the world of book publishing, and more. *** Recorded on 6.14.23 *** Keep Up With Rakia Clark Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Joseph Earl Thomas Sink is a memoir that you couldn't forget if you tried. You'll remember it for the content, you'll remember it for the narrative style, for its untapped level of honesty, and for the twists and turns included within the journey of Joseph Earl Thomas' formative years. *** Recorded on 6.1.23 *** Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Theresa Runstedtler The benefit of having a show about books that you control is that you get to talk about all the books that appeal to your specific interests as long as the there is mutual interest between you and the author. Thankfully there was mutual interest between BAPC and Theresa Runstedtler because we got to talk basketball again through her recently Black Ball, served to you all right on time since today is Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals. *** Recorded on 4.13.23 *** Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to The Days—A Newsletter From BAPC Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Tembe Denton-Hurst Tembe Denton-Hurst is the author of Homebodies. She is also the homie and quite awesome. *** Recorded on 5.10.23 *** Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Stephen Buoro Stephen Buoro spent time with us discussing his marvelous novel, The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa, and I think it's safe to say that we are all droogs now. *** Recorded on 4.22.23 *** Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Brianna Holt When you are a real reader you learn that relatability isn't limited to an identity. Sure, a work can be aimed at a target audience, but that doesn't mean that you wont' see yourself reflected and/or identify with the work at hand—not that those things should matter in the first place. Alas, Brianna Holt wrote In Our Shoes with Black women in mind, but anyone can pick this book up and find themselves reflected within the work she did. It was a true pleasure to spend time with her. *** Recorded on 5.1.23 *** Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Asale Angel-Ajani One of the most immense pleasures of doing a bookish show is being joined by a guest who is unpredictable in the best ways. Asale Angel-Ajani is one of those guests. On and off camera she was real, awesome, thoughtful, honest. Asale's debut novel, A Country You Can Leave, is all of those things as well. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Kashana Cauley Sometimes, when podding, you have a good feeling about an episode. It's not an explainable feeling, per se, but it is one where you know that your preparation has made it so you'll come out on the other side of the episode with a new friend. Kashana Cauley, author of The Survivalists, is 100% a friend of the show! Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Keenan Norris Sometimes you think you'll link up with someone for a specific purpose and things, for one reason or another, fell through.aligning, but next thing you know, you look up and you and the individual have Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Toni Ann Johnson Toni Ann Johnson may have written fiction, but she makes it clear in this episode that she is telling the truth. No, really, Light Skin Gone to Waste is autobiographical fiction. It's honest, complex & real—a collection that sparked an excellent conversation. This Side & That by Toni Ann Johnson Ruby Bridges film, which Toni Ann Johnson wrote, is banned in a Florida School District A Split Tree Still Grows (Poem) Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Ryan Lee Wong When Publisher's Weekly gave a starred review to Which Side Are You On, Ryan Lee Wong's debut novel, they said "This daring and generous work is sure to spark difficult but necessary conversations." I wouldn't say the conversation held here with was difficult, but you'll soon learn that it was necessary. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Julia May Jonas Who said scandals aren't fun or entertaining? Clearly the person saying that isn't a reader of Julia May Jonas' debut novel, Vladimir, a scandalous, twisty, turny, intelligent, funny, charming, etc., etc. novel that Time Magazine thought highly enough to place in it's Top 10 fiction books of 2022. Her time spent with us was as fun as her novel was. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Xochitl Gonzalez Xochitl Gonzalez joins BAPC to walk with us into uncharted territory as we speak with her about Olga Dies Dreaming. The first author whom we've had join us in celebration of their paperback release. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Jamila Minnicks New Jessup ain't been the same since BAPC came to town. Jamila Minnicks welcomed Akili and Reggie with open arms and a time was had discussing her debut novel, Moonrise Over New Jessup. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Dr. Daniel Black "Racism ain't no beast, Black agency is." Dr. Daniel Black's latest book, Black on Black, is also a beast. He is back on BAPC for the second time and he is just as transformative as when you last saw him. Keep up with Dr. Daniel Black Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Tricia Hersey The Nap Bishop is living the revolution she speaks. Whether it is building a Rest Temple or constantly spreading the good word about resting as a way to resist grind culture. Her New York Times Bestseller, Rest is Resistance, gives us plenty of keys to keep the momentum of this revolution going. Keep up with Tricia Hersey & The Nap Ministry Listen to Tricia's single "Rest Life" Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Alejandro Varela National Book Award for Fiction Finalist Alejandro Varela's The Town of Babylon is a novel that shows you that Babylon is much more than you probably think it is. Fortunately, Alejandro is brilliant enough to ask the questions required to challenge Babylon, and he also has many answers.
BAPC x Cree Myles Cree Myles is not only one of the first book influencers with a Wikipedia page, and the editor and curator of All Ways Black, but she is a brilliant innovator. Her mind is so sharp and free that there is no way to interact with her and not come away a little better. This episode is a classic in the canon of Books Are Pop Culture. Share This Cypher on Social Media to help build a library Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Eboni K. Williams Eboni K. Williams, whom you may refer to as Auntie E after Reading her latest book, Bet on Black, stopped through BAPC Land to spread some hard earned wisdom about liberating our people. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Laura Warrell Laura Warrell was kind enough to make time to visit BAPC to discuss Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm & it was the best of times. You might even consider it jazzy. Read Laura's recent piece in LitHub about Publishing While Black (Published After this recording). Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Remica Bingham-Risher Remica Bingham-Risher's Soul Culture is a hybrid text that contains the multitudes that you would expect a book titled like this to contain. Those multitudes are dived all up in through during this episode that was a long time in the making. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × The Other Black Girl Reggie & Akili Read, Saw, & Conquered (Or did they get conquered?) The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris. Tap in, take a listen, & choose a side (
BAPC x Shanita Hubbard. This episode is special. Shanita Hubbard's time spent in BAPC Land discussing her first book, Ride or Die, is what podcasting is all about. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Swati Sudarsan. Swati Sudarsan is a force. A writer, an assistant editor at Moot Point Magazine a distance runner, a cat tender, a humorist, a poet, etc. She is a writer whose name is just beginning to buzz and she made time for us to talk about what its like to be the up and coming writer who, before a book is published that we can hold, is getting published in literary magazines and constantly workshopping. The journey on the way to getting a book published, in other words. Clarity by Swati Sudarsan Subscribe to Luster Not Polish The Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing. Amazing Resources for the Lit Mag World: Chill Subs, Don't Write Alone 4 Lit Mags to Read: Moot Point, Kenyon Review, The Drift, Catapult Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Toya Wolfe. Toya Wolfe shows you where her girls are at with The Last Summer on State Street. This book is a love letter to a city that loves her back, and any person who encounters her &/or her work will learn how to dream. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × DJ Johnson DJ Johnson is the founder of owner of Baldwin & Co. in New Orleans and he is leading the charge in creating a true literary society within his community and throughout the world. There were so many gems dropped throughout this episode, whether it's business, bookish, financial or motivational. There is even very special announcement at the end of the episode so make sure you stick around. Support Baldwin & Co. & Akili. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Subscribe to BAPC on YouTube Subscribe to The Days—BAPC's Newsletter Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC × Krishan Trotman. The Beyoncé of Books, Krishan Trotman—publisher of & editor at Legacy Lit—finally made her way over to BAPC Land and she continues in the BAPC tradition of bringing you behind the curtain, letting you know how publishing really works. Visit Legacy Lit online. Follow Legacy Lit on Instagram. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community. Follow BAPC on Instagram. Shop BAPC's Bookshop.
Reggie & Akili are joined by Amber O. & Sean P. to talk about their exciting initiative taking place throughout 2023: The Du Bois Literary Society. Get Your Copy of Black Reconstruction from Resist Booksellers Follow Amber O. Follow Sean P. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop:
Reggie and Akili, in their last episode for 2022, reflect back on a full year dedicated to podcasting and look ahead to what's next—They also do their best to figure out who the white Toni Morrison is. Ismail Muhammad's "Can Black Literature Escape the Representation Trap?" Hobart Pulp's Interview with Alex Perez Subscribe to Books Are Pop Culture's Newsletter Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Hanif Abdurraqib The first time Hanif Abdurraqib joined Reggie and Akili they did it big, to the point that it was the biggest episode in the history of Books Are Pop Culture. So the three fellas got together, this time to converse about the 5 year anniversary release of They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, and did it bigger. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
Reggie and Akili have been reporting on the HarperCollins strike for a few weeks now, but on today's episode they have a special guest, Doris Allen, who is on the frontlines. Support & follow Doris Allen. Support & follow the HarperCollins Union. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community. Follow BAPC on Instagram. Shop BAPC's Bookshop.
BAPC x Elaine Hsieh Chou Elaine Hsieh Chou's novel Disorientation is what she calls an accidental satire, because she wrote the book in earnest. A large part of the book is inspired by events that truly happen and people who exist; proving that satire is a genre that supersedes your intentions. She is also thoughtful, intelligent, energetic, and wrote a novel that brings out the best possible conversations. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Are Prison's Obsolete? It may be December but Reggie and Akili are finally discussing the Read With BAPC Pick for the month of November: Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis. This may have been the best & most honest book discussion they have had yet. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Prince Shakur Prince Shakur wrote an awesome memoir, When They Tell You to be Good, & he is wise beyond his years. He has also been active to the point that he could never conflate the difference between theory & practice. Thankfully he dropped by BAPC to share some of his hard-earned wisdom. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
Another Monday edition of Books Are Pop Culture is here and Reggie and Akili are discussing some interesting book news. They touch on Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, once again, since they REALLY aren't becoming a thing now. They also touch on what Twitter is becoming and why Literary Twitter will be just fine whether they stay or end up having to leave—among other things! Reggie's Open Water Write-Up Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
Reggie and Akili are back with another quick hit! This week the recent decision where the Department of Justice decided against allowing Penguin Random House to merge with Simon & Schuster is examined (3:35) , as well as the current strike going on with the HarperCollins Union (20:45). From there the fellas discuss the recent National Book Awards (43:09) before getting into Pleasure Reading (52:39). Imani Perry Speech Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community. Follow BAPC on Instagram. Shop BAPC's Bookshop.
BAPC x Gabriel Krauze Gabriel Krauze's debut novel, the autobiographical Who They Was, was longlisted for the Booker Prize and Dylan Thomas Prize upon its initial release in the UK. It dropped in the US in 2021 and while he was spending some time North America, still doing work around his novel in 2022, he spent a little time with BAPC. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop
BAPC x Parable of the Sower Earthseed finally has its day on Books Are Pop Culture, and how lucky are we to have Chanecka Williams, the Events Coordinator of Kindred Stories, join us to discuss one of Octavia Butler's best known and bestselling works: Parable of the Sower Follow Chanecka Williams on Instagram & Twitter. Support Kindred Stories. Join The Fellowship—BAPC's Patreon Community Follow BAPC on Instagram Shop BAPC's Bookshop