From the Front Porch

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.

Episode 178 || June Reading Recap

It's the end of the month, and we made it--along with some thoughts and feelings about cover songs and Canadian ice dancers. Chris and Annie talk through the books they read in the month of June.  If you'd like to purchase any of the books we discussed this episode, just follow the links below! Annie read: + Dreams of Falling by Karen White + Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman + Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan + China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan  + Clock Dance by Anne Tyler + A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza Chris read: + Me, Myself and Them by Dan Mooney + Calypso by David Sedaris + Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 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 some brief one-on-ones with the Bookshelf staff, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 177 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 13

Sorry for the delay! This week, Emily and Hunter are back for Love It or Loathe It to talk with Annie about Kevin Kwon's Crazy Rich Asians.  If you would like to purchase Crazy Rich Asians, you can do so from The Bookshelf. 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 176 || Summer Literary Lineup

It's time for our seasonal look at what's on the horizon in Book World! These are Chris and Annie's picks for summer 2018. Also, not every novel whose title is just a woman's first name was necessarily written in the 18th century.  New in June: + There There by Tommy Orange + Florida by Lauren Groff + A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza + Campaign Widows by Aimee Agresti + Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton + The Book of Essie by Meghan Maclean Weir + Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai + The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz + Dreams of Falling by Karen White + Us Against You by Frederik Backman New in July: + The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon (on sale July 31) + The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager (on sale July 3) + The Late Bloomers' Club by Louise Miller (on sale July 17) + Clock Dance by Anne Tyler (on sale July 10) + A Double Life by Flynn Berry (on sale July 31) New in August: + The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis (on sale August 7) + Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (on sale August 14)

Episode 175 || Live with Anne Bogel

This week, we have a very special live show with friend of the show Anne Bogel, host of What Should I Read Next?  By the way! Our next Love It or Loathe It (in two weeks) will be centered around Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.  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 audience Q&A with Anne and Annie, consider supporting us on Patreon here.