From the Front Porch

Episode 188 || Does What the Author Thinks Actually Matter?

When authors endlessly tweet about what was actually happening in the background of a given book, or, worse, release a sequel or companion text, does that thrill you or make you cringe? This week, Annie and Chris field a listener question about what counts as "canon" in the books we love. Also, more #blandsome files. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like brief interviews with not-so-hideous booksellers, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 187 || PG Lit

As with salsa, some readers prefer their literature mild. And that's okay! Although Annie and Chris often prefer some darkness in their books, they recognize that's not for everyone, so this episode is dedicated to those readers who prefer something a little PG. It's not just for kids! Also, somebody finally watched Set It Up. Mentioned this week: + The Port William Series by Wendell Berry + The Mitford series by Jan Karon + Gods in Alabama Joshilyn Jackson + Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan + Dreams of Falling by Karen White + Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson + Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple + The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows + The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert + The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison + The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like our monthly secret show, Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 186 || August Reading Recap

School's back in session and Annie's door is swollen shut, so you know it's almost September. (Don't worry. We set an alarm to wake up Green Day.) Here at the end of the month, we like to recap what we've read for our listeners. Join us as we enter the rom-comaissance. Annie read: + The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows + The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis + Are You Sleeping? by Kathleen Barber + Joy Enough by Sarah McColl (on sale January 2019) + There There by Tommy Orange + Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid + To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han + P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han + Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han + Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Anne Boyd Rioux Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like an interview with Fiona Davis, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 185 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 14

Annie, Emily, and Hunter discuss one of the hottest literary books of 2018: Tommy Orange's There, There. It's a difficult, sometimes harrowing read of contemporary Native American life with important insights into how we got to now.  Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like the author Q&As with Annie, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 184 || Curriculum

Since this was Annie's show last week, it's only fair that Chris gets a turn, too! He's thoughtfully prepared four sets of discussion-based course curriculum just like he would for one of his classes at Florida State--in fact, two of them are adapted from courses he's actually taught. These curated lists of five books each are centered around asking questions. Perfect for book clubs! The ranking Annie mentions at the top of the show can be found here. The 'Other' Mother (for fans of That Kind of Mother) + Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + Marriage of a Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu + The First Bad Man by Miranda July + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett How to be a Human (for fans of Station Eleven) + Brave New World by Aldous Huxley + Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury + A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller, Jr. + Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro + The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Florida, O Florida (for people who wonder how we live here) + Best. State. Ever. by Dave Barry + Swamplandia! by Karen Russell + Sunshine State by Sarah Gerard + Florida by Lauren Groff + Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Small Town Living (for fans of A Man Called Ove) + Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry + This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick + The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch + The From-Aways by CJ Hauser + Beartown by Frederik Backman Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like a collaborative newsletter, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 183 || Owner of the Bookshelf

We asked, and it seems like a lot of people want to know: Who is Annie B. Jones? This week, Chris sits down with Annie to talk about how she came to be owner of the Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in beautiful downtown Thomasville, Georgia.  Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like behind-the-scenes content from life at the Bookshelf, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 182 || July Reading Recap

At the end of every month, Annie and Chris sit down to talk about the books they read, and listener, it's the end of the month. Annie accidentally read to sort of a theme this month, and Chris doesn't think it's a coincidence. Also, we need to talk about the train. Annie read: + Save the Date by Morgan Matson + Marriage Vacation by "Pauline Brooks" + Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (on sale August 14) + The Witch Elm by Tana French (on sale October 9) + The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert + A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler (on sale October 16) + Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza + Beartown by Frederick Bakman + The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like a blow-by-blow account of a terrible wedding, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 181 || Baby Got Backlist

We talk a lot about brand new books on the show, but we thought it might be time to talk about some of our favorites from the "backlist." They're not new, but they're not "classics" yet, either. In any case, we think you should read them. You can find all of these books for sale in our online store. Chris and Annie recommend: + The Secret History by Donna Tartt + Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford + Loving Frank by Nancy Horan + The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco + Gilead by Marilynne Robinson + The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber + The Explanation for Everything by Lauren Grodstein + Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal + Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer + A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan + The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker + The Afterlives by Thomas Pierce + The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman + How to Live Safely in a Science-Fictional Universe by Charles Yu + A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara + The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl + Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like a tour through market with Annie, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 180 || How to Love Your Indie from Afar, or Shelf Subscription Insider, Vol. 2

One of the most exciting options the Bookshelf offers is the Shelf Subscription, a book-a-month club featuring newly released hardcovers from your favorite independent booksellers. This week on the podcast, Chris and Annie break down what the Shelf Subscription is, how it works, what you can expect, and how to get started.  Listen closely for code that will net you a 10% discount on your subscription--only available through August 19! For more information or to start your subscription today, click here. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like a tour through market with Annie, consider supporting us on Patreon here. 

Episode 179 || Beautiful Downtown Thomasville, Georgia

We're taking a quick break from books this week to talk about the small businesses on our street as we take you on a tour of our slice of life in the South: beautiful downtown Thomasville, GA. Special thanks to our neighbors: + The Paxton + Sweet Grass Dairy + South Life Supply + Grassroots Coffee + Firefly + Farmer's Daughter Vineyard + The Hare and the Hart + Kathy's Shoes + Savannah Moon + Q Cafe + Liam's + Jonah's + Chop House on the Bricks + Caroline Hill + Fuzzy Goat + Smith Collective + Empire Bagel + Wildflower Interiors + Lapham-Patterson House + Jack Hadley Black History Museum  + Taste of Thomasville Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Learn and listen more here. Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like Chris and Annie's walking tour of downtown Thomasville, consider supporting us on Patreon here.