From the Front Porch

It's a new year, so Chris and Annie are back to discuss their reading plans for 2018. Spoiler: We're not doing quantitative tracking. Also, what is the natural habitat of the North American beaver? Additionally, an extended discussion on Jason Rekulak's The Impossible Fortress​​​​​​​ and what "YA" means in terms of readership.  Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music...

Annie sits down with Jamie Golden, cohost of The Popcast, in front of a LIVE audience to talk about books and pop culture. Learn more about The Popcast here .  Listen to a full back catalogue of our show  here , and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon  here . 

It's our last episode of 2017, so it's time for a SUPER-SIZED reading recap. Chris and Annie walk you through their favorite books of 2017, and here they are! Thanks so much for sticking with us, even when our sound quality is far below what we typically aim for. + The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry + The Wanderers by Meg Howrey + This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + The Almost Sisters by Jo...

Thank you for getting us to 150 episodes! This week, Annie and Chris answer YOUR questions. One popular question was, "Where does Annie get her own book recommendations?" Well, here's a big shout out to: @avidbookshop @tylergoodson @_marcidarling @bookshelf.tees @annebogel @bookofthemonth @jaclyncrupi @riverheadbooks @booksaremagicbk @laura.tremaine @notetosarah @erindotsmith @etst @leighkramer @k...

It's the latest installment of our show within a show, Love It or Loathe It, in which Annie, Emily, and Hunter discuss a contentious book in a book club-style roundtable. This week: Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips. Also mentioned this week: + Room by Emma Donoghue + Get Out SPOILER DISCUSSION OCCURS BETWEEN 19:00 AND 21:12. This episode is brought to you in part by the city of Thomasville. Come joi...

The holiday season is upon us, which means it's time for us to recap what we read in the month of November. Give thanks! Also, Universal, please consider changing how your lockers work.  Annie read: + Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (on sale February 27) + The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule + Loving Frank by Nancy Horan + Rosie Colored Glasses by Brianna Wolfson (on sale February 20) Chris read: + ...

'Tis the season to start thinking about children's books! What will you buy this year for the young reader in your life? Chris and Annie have some suggestions for you this week, hopefully beyond the old standards--not that there's anything wrong with the old standards! Also, weird moles. Mentioned this week: + Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy + Drago...

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we're coming to you a couple days early! Spend time with us, and then spend time with your loved ones. Best of both worlds. This week, Annie and Chris talk about food books, cookbooks, and how feasting structures our lives. Also, bedbugs. Featured this week: + The Comfort Food Diaries by Emily Nunn + Cooked by Michael Pollan + Sex, Economy, Freedom and Communit...

Sometimes we talk about old books like they're sacred and have nothing to do with what we're reading day to day, but new books and old books both speak to us, don't they? And sometimes they speak to each other. This week, Chris and Annie discuss some of their favorite classics and their favorite new books as if they are cousins. Of the kissing variety? For instance, if you like To Kill a Mockingbi...

It's a week later than usual, but it's a brand new month, which means it's time for a reading recap, our monthly feature in which Annie and Chris briefly review what they read this month. October was long, but we read some great books! Annie read: + Thanks, Obama by David Litt + Sunburn by Laura Lippman + Unbelievable by Katy Tur + Turtles All the Way Down by John Green + Fire Sermon by Jamie Quat...

Why do so many readers seem to be afraid of short stories? Annie and Chris chat with author and professor CJ Hauser about how short stories are different from novels, how to approach a collection, and why book clubs should embrace shorts. Stop worrying and love the short story!  Mentioned this episode: + The Collected Stories of Grace Paley + Selected Stories: Andre Dubus + Flannery O'Connor: The...

'Tis the season for ~spooky scary~ reads, so Chris and Annie are back to talk about suspense, horror, and why we sometimes need a good scare. Also, WHAT is the title of this book? There's a dog and a creepy neighbor. That's all we've got.  Mentioned this week: + The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney + Goosebumps by R. L. Stine + Are You Afraid of the Dark? + Edgar Allan Poe + Boo to Yo...

Let's face it: when you read a lot, it can be a strain on the eyes. And you can't multitask with a book in your hands. And reading while driving will get you pulled over. Thankfully, the slow march of progress has given us an answer. This week is all about the audiobook. Annie and Chris talk about their experience with and admiration of the audiobook along with some of their favorites. Find them a...

We get lots of emails about what it is we actually do all day. Who are we, exactly, and what does a day in the life of our independent bookstore look like? Annie and Chris are here to walk you through a typical Tuesday at The Bookshelf.  Today's episode is brought to you in part by Fuzzy Goat yarn shop right here in downtown Thomasville, GA. Fuzzy Goat offers a variety of yarns from independent, S...

September was a decidedly not-great month for our intrepid hosts, but at least they got to read some phenomenal books! Join us for our monthly wrap-up and check out our favorite books of the month! Annie read: + I'll Have What She's Having by Erin Carlson + People Like Us by Dana Mele (on sale February 2018) + Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo + Reading People by Anne Bogel + The Road Back to You by...

Annie's back from SIBA, and we're here to let you in on a long-distance version of the Fall Literary Luncheon we hosted in the Bookshelf last week. Here's what we're recommending for the fall! + Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward + Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng + Artemis by Andy Weir + The Senator's Children by Nicholas Montemarano + The Glass Eye by Jeannie Vanasco + Uncommon Type by Tom...

Annie, Hunter, and Emily are back with another volume of Love It or Loathe It, our show within a show in which we have a book club-style discussion about a divisive book. This week: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. Also mentioned this week: + The Blondes by Emily Schultz + Looking for Alaska by John Green + The Big Sick + Master of None + The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson + Shatter Me...

We've survived the hurricane and the new Bachelor announcement, and we're back with another conversation on books, TV, and life in the South. The 2017 Emmy Awards air on September 17, and so many of the honorees this year are adapted from books! We've got thoughts and opinions. Also, Seth Meyers is blond. Mentioned this week: + The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood + The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu +...

Welcome to the brand new month of September! School is back in session, Fall is (kinda-sorta) in the air, and change is afoot. Check out our new podcast website and see all the new, special content we've been making just for you! Also, Nick and Vanessa? Donezo.  Mentioned this week: + The Secret History by Donna Tartt + Liberal Arts + Shadow of the Lions by Christopher Swann + A Separate Peace by...

August is over, and we're ready to celebrate. Annie and Chris are back to talk about the books they read in August, despite--or maybe in spite of--how terrible the month of August is. Also, can the old Taylor please come to the phone? Chris read: + nothing + life gets in the way + part of How to Stop Time by Matt Haig Annie read: + Final Girls by Riley Sager + The Glass Eye by Jeannie Vanasco (on...

We're hungry, so let's plan out a menu. This week, Chris and Annie have prepared a few "book flights" for you, and these are the tasting notes. We're also calling them "mini-syllabi" because books talk to each other, and it's the coolest thing. Also, a dyed-in-the-wool Slytherin. Annie's "Fear and Trembling" syllabus: + Final Girls by Riley Sager + Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka + Everything I Neve...

It's that time of year again, and we can't believe it. Annie and Chris talk about some of their favorite books for emerging readers and sit down for an interview with one such reader. Also, the importance of haircuts and a pregnant pause (or three).  Mentioned this week: + Miles Morales, Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds + The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey + Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jef...

Don’t get scared of the word “change.” Annie and Chris are joined this week by the rest of the Bookshelf staff. Ashley, Maddie, and Kate are here to talk about Shelf Subscriptions and what you can expect when you choose one of us to pick out a brand new book for you. Also, let’s take bets on which Office alum is Mindy Kaling’s baby daddy. Annie’s picks are for fans of: + The Mothers by Brit Bennet...

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. And even though that might not be exactly how podcasts work, Chris and Annie are here to tell you about what they read in July. Also, Bookshelf Bucks are here! Check out the store website to learn more and start your tab! Annie read: + The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante + Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy + The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry...

Do you really know a book from reading it just once? Annie and Chris weigh in on re-reading and why they do it--or don't. Is there a value in re-reading or is it a waste of time? Are there some books that deserve to be read more than once and others that don't? Also, move over, Schrödinger. We've got our own theoretical cat experiment. "Finding out what happens is the least part of reading." Menti...