From the Front Porch

It's a book club-style discussion about Patricia Lockwood's new memoir, Priestdaddy. Annie and regular podcast contributors Emily McKenna (of You're Maker ) and Hunter McLendon discuss what they loved and loathed about Lockwood's poetic style, her relationship with her parents, and her complicated upbringing in the Catholic faith. You can purchase Priestdaddy here .  Other books mentioned include:...

You've got a whole stack of what you're going to read next, but what kind of record do you keep of what you've already read? Chris and Annie chat about what they've read recently and how they keep track. Spoilers: It's not G**dr**ds. Also, is Tobey Maguire the worst actor of his generation? Keep those iTunes and Stitcher reviews coming! We're well on our way to our goal, and we want to give you a...

Happy Fourth from the Front Porch! Annie and Chris are here to talk about their favorite fake news--which is to say political fiction. Also, fireworks, hot dogs, and the day summer just goes downhill.  New and upcoming: + The Golden House by Salman Rushdie (on sale in October) + The Senator's Children by Nicholas Montemorano (on sale in November) + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (on sale in A...

It's hot as something down here in the South, and Chris and Annie are back to talk about what they read in June. It was a light month of the highest quality. Also, Chris Pine: hot or not? And happy anniversary, Harry Potter.  Annie read: + The End We Start From by Megan Hunter (on sale November 7) + Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson (on sale July 11) + Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly (on...

Summer has officially begun, so Annie and Chris are here to tell you what you should be reading--whether you're inside to escape the rain or outside with the sand and sun. Also, what happens when children become club promoters?  Beach Books + The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close + The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor + Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave + Windfall by Jennifer Smith + The Impossible Fortress by...

We judge books by their covers so you don't have to. First impressions are important, but are they always right or fair? Annie and Chris talk through the 50-Page Rule, trusting your gut, changing your impression, and the importance of not reading in a vacuum. Also, recommend us to a friend! Discussion includes: + The Leavers by Lisa Ko + Borne by Jeff VanderMeer + Pride and Prejudice by Jane Auste...

Do you buy all of your books or do you borrow some? Annie and Chris answer a listener question and discuss their personal libraries, where they get their books, and what to do with the whole idea of a library when they spend their lives in the Bookshelf. This episode is also kind of a follow-up to Episode 83 || Books in Houses. "A home without books is like a body without a soul." - Pseudo-Cicero

This week, Chris is back to discuss the books he and Annie read in May, one of which doesn't actually come out until next calendar year. Whoops. Also, May is a very, very long month. Annie read: + When You Find Out the World is Against You by Kelly Oxford + Option B by Sheryl Sandberg + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett + The Assistants by Camille Perri + Ms. Marvel, vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wil...

It's time for a book club-style discussion of Katie Kitamura's A Separation. Podcast guests Emily (of You're Maker ) and Hunter are back to chat all the things they loved and loathed about this literary novel, including Emily's thoughts on Greece and Hunter's profound revelation about the book's narration.  Curious enough to buy the book? Support The Bookshelf by buying A Separation  directly from...

Chris is pursuing that ever-elusive PhD, so this week, Annie interviewed Sarah Holland from the Pantsuit Politics podcast . In addition to being the left-leaning cohost of Pantsuit Politics, Sarah is a city commissioner from Paducah, Kentucky, and she's a lifelong southerner. Annie and Sarah chatted about what "life in the South" really entails, including the hard truth about where Southern maker...

Annie and Chris talk about "alternative" visions of motherhood for Mother's Day this year, and it takes a weirdly dark turn. Sorry. Get a sneak peek at Chris's fall Women in Literature class and hear some of Annie's favorite mom-centric books. Chris's class books: + Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + The First Bad Man by Miranda July + Are You My Mother? by A...

Happy May! It was raining while we recorded this. This week, Annie and Chris talk about the books they read in April. Also, Annie has some Hot Takes on book titles and we recount our odd encounters with celebrities from 10+ years ago.  Annie read: + All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg (out May 7) + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (out August 22) + The Stars in Our Eyes by Julie Klam (out July 18) +...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Chris and Annie give you a peek into the Bookshelf's 2017 Independent Bookstore Day festivities. But if you don't live anywhere near Thomasville, fear not! We're also giving you a virtual tour of our favorite indie bookstores from around the country.  Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 29, 2017, and our schedule of events is here . We would love...

Won't you follow us down to the Rose Parade? Annie and Chris get ready for an upcoming jam-packed weekend in downtown Thomasville, including Independent Bookstore Day, National Superhero Day, and the Thomasville Rose Show and Festival. Joining us this week is Rose Show veteran Sunny Altman. Also, Chris presents Annie with a challenge.  To learn more about how Thomasville will be participating in N...

"They get frustrated when they can't figure out what's going on in the poem. And if they can't figure out what's going on, they have no entrance into the poem. If they have no entrance into the poem, they're going to stop reading." Annie and Chris sit down with poets Ruth Baumann and Will Fargason to talk about poetry: where does one even begin to read it and how can it be less intimidating? Also,...

Chris and Annie try to bring this weekend's Word of [South] festival to you! In miniature concept, anyway. How does one go about pairing books and music? Also, "Skeezy John Mayer," Annie feels self-conscious about her [good] taste, and Chris takes his philosophy outfits out of storage.  > Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists + Solange's A Seat at the Table> F. Scott Fitzgerald's T...

Annie and Chris plan their new side business--Sweet and Savory Pizza Stones--but mostly discuss what they read this month and what they plan to finish before Friday rolls around.  Annie read: + Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor (out June 6) + Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy (out June 6) + Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders + Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give by Ada Calhoun (out May 16) + Exit W...

Annie and Chris flip the coin on last week's episode and talk about what happens in the between times. How do you cleanse the mental palate or set up a buffer after a heavy or difficult book that needs time to process? NEW THIS WEEK: Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein The Mind Club by Daniel Wegner and Kurt Gray (new in paperback) If you're interested in any of th...

Lots of people asked us why we're always raving about sad books, and they weren't satisfied when we quoted Sally Sparrow and said, "It's happy for deep people." This week, Annie and Chris explain what they call "grief literature" and recommend a bunch of their favorite sad books with justifications for why you should feel sad sometimes. + Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (really, why aren't...

Annie sits down with her husband Jordan for their annual March Madness discussion. This year's book bracket includes The Bookshelf's "sweet sixteen" -- the  16 bestselling books of the past 12 months.  Magnolia Story Present Over Perfect Seven Brief Lessons in Physics When Breath Becomes Air Killing the Rising Sun Alexander Hamilton Tribal Hillbilly Elegy The Underground Railroad A Gentleman in Mo...

Annie and Chris walk you through what they read in February while several intrepid Saturday afternoon customers climb over a literal barricade outside the door to use the [closed] bathroom.  Annie read: + The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas + This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + Last Things by Marissa Moss + Into the Water by Paula Hawkins + Difficult Women by Roxane Gay + Lincoln in the Bardo...

Annie, Emily, and Hunter discuss Difficult Women by Roxane Gay and try very hard to decide what they think about it!  Also mentioned this week: + Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson + Lauren Groff's review of  Fortune Smiles   + Anne Bogel's advice for sensitive readers

It's Oscar Season, so Annie and Chris are rounding up their favorite books for this year's moviegoers. Also in this episode, a new feature (!!!) and Chris continues to swallow his words. If you liked Arrival, you may like: Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn How to Life Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu The Time Traveler's Almanac by Ann an...

It's Galentine's Day, so Annie and Chris are answering the question on everyone's mind: What would Leslie Knope read? Also this episode, pipe bombs--the new cooking craze sweeping America? Join us at The Bookshelf on Friday, February 10, from 6 to 8 for Galentine's Day festivities, and check out our downtown partners Mode, Smith Collective, Tallokas Road, Signature Clothing Lounge, and You're Make...

Annie and Chris chat about public transit, public urination, and all the books they read in January.  Annie read: +The Underwriting by Michelle Miller +The Folded Clock by Heidi Julavits +The Throwback Special by Chris Bachelder +American Fire by Monica Hesse +Himself by Jess Kidd +The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers Annie is currently reading: +Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha P...