From the Front Porch

What are your reading goals for 2016? Annie chats reading resolutions with returning podcast guest Hunter McLendon. Annie and Hunter also make their way through Modern Mrs. Darcy's  2016 Reading Challenge , plus talk about what they're reading right now (him: Americanah; her: The Expatriates).  What Should I Read Next?  podcast Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter

Have you ever wondered how your favorite book would play out on-stage? Annie interviews Jana Mohr, president of Thomasville On Stage and Company, Thomasville's community theatre. Annie and Jana chat about TOSAC's upcoming production of A Little Princess, plus why books make great on-stage adaptations. For tickets to A Little Princess, click here . Facebook | Instagram | Twitter    

We're back with our first episode of 2016, and Annie's recapping her favorite books of 2015. (You can find the full list here .)  Local listeners may want to subscribe to The Bookshelf newsletter , a weekly update on bookstore happenings. Faraway folks, you can subscribe to Annie's monthly musings -- including reading recaps -- here .

Where we're from affects how we read. Annie chats with blogger, podcaster, and aspiring author Science Mike about science, faith, and the many nuances of the South, plus their favorite Thomasville spots and what they're reading right now. (Mike's reading The Last Pilot, and Annie's reading Live from New York.) Mike's website || The Liturgists podcasts || Ask Science Mike podcast  

Annie reviews the six books she read in November: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber; Distance from Me to You by Marina Gessner; The Clasp by Sloane Crosley; Flood Girls by Richard Fifield; The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes; You Don't Have to Like Me by Alida Nugent.  Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || iTunes

What makes David Sedaris so funny? Annie chats with Atlanta author, blogger, and comic Jim Hodgson about the ever-changing publishing industry, urban fantasy fiction, and Jim's latest book, Ten Thousand Gods. You can find it and his other works on his website, www.jimhodgson.com . Jim is also the founding writer and editor of the Atlanta Banana . 

What's on your table this Thanksgiving? Annie and fellow bookseller Chris Jensen discuss food and food writing, including whether cookbooks are becoming obsolete and their favorite Thanksgiving recipes.   Similar carrot recipe  (find the one Chris made in A Southern Gentleman's Kitchen Avid Bookshop   Annie loves: Supper of the Lamb, Delancey, A Homemade Life, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, Voracio...

What do all those different festivals do for their cities? Annie chats with Laura Beggs, the main street coordinator for the city of Thomasville. They discuss their favorite spots in downtown T'ville, plus Thomasville's Victorian Christmas (details

Annie reviews the books she read in October, including Tribal by Diane Roberts and Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell.  Rank and review us on iTunes here .  Shop locally -- even from afar! -- here . 

Annie and Rebekah list their favorite spooky reads for the season and even recommend a creepy podcast or two (including  Criminal , Lore , and The Black Tapes podcast).   One Book 2015 website || instagram || facebook

What one book would you make your community read? Annie interviews New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin; they chat about habits, happiness, and Thomasville's One Book 2015 festival. Then, Annie visits with Lauren Basford, executive director of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce.  Gretchen's podcast | One Book website | Chamber of Commerce website

Annie shares her reviews of the books she read in September.  One Book tickets and information can be found online here . 

Annie chats with the ladies from Open Door Adoption Agency  -- Lauren Fielding and Sarah Taylor -- about adoption, Bob Goff , and life in Thomasville. Bob Goff is headed to The Bookshelf on October 1 ; come snag a copy of his bestselling book Love Does and get it signed! (Like what you heard about Open Door Adoption? Consider donating to their endowment or making a monthly financial commitment to...

What do small towns offer for their creatives? Annie chats with Bookshelf favorite, Hunter McLendon, about books and art and life in a small town. Hunter recommends Girls in Trucks (plus references White Oleander and Alice Munro), and Annie gives her review of Shotgun Lovesongs. Hunter's artwork can be found online here , and more information about The Bookshelf's upcoming events are on the store...

What do you do with grief? Annie chats with author Prissy Elrod turning sorrow into story, navigating the publishing industry -- including her publishing company,  Thomson-Shore  -- what's next for Far Outside the Ordinary, and why adult coloring books might be the best invention ever. (More information about Far Outside the Ordinary can be found on  Prissy's website , and local listeners can meet...

Ever wonder what it's like to live as a creative in the South? Annie interviews Emily Arwood, artist-in-residence at the Thomasville Center for the Arts . They chat about Thomasville's art festival, FLAUNT  and their favorite books for creatives.   Tickets for FLAUNT (launching September 11) can be purchased online here , and Emily's online shop is here . You can find more information about the Ar...

Annie recaps the books she read in August, including "super science-y" The Martian and R-rated Ally Hughes Has Sex Sometimes, plus shout-outs to book Instagrammer SJ Shepperd  and the hosts of The Popcast .  Rank, review, and subscribe on iTunes . 

Annie and Jordan talk about their favorite books from childhood and the impact those characters have had on their adult lives, ranging from The Boxcar Children's Henry to Hermione Granger. (Plus, join Annie and find out what your favorite American Girl  doll says about you now.) 

Annie chats with Florida State University entrepreneur-in-residence Christine Nieves; the two discuss porch swings and creativity, the importance of connection, and life in the new South (hint: it's a lot of storytelling and hard work). Christine also lists her favorite spots in Tallahassee and Thomasville: Quarter Moon Imports , Black Dog , Ripe City Urban Farm , Railroad Square , Fermentation Lo...

Ever wonder what it's like to be a bookseller? Annie chats with new Bookshelf staffer and PhD student Chris Jensen. Their conversation covers everything from MBTI results to Wendell Berry, plus they show their love for their neighbors on Broad Street: Sweet Grass Dairy  and Grassroots Coffee . 

Annie recaps the books she read in July, including KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST and GO SET A WATCHMAN. (Want more GO SET A WATCHMAN discussion? Check out Episode 14,  here .)  Rank and review us on  iTunes !

Learn about Florida's coastal islands as Annie interviews author and naturalist Sue Cerulean . Sue's newest book, COMING TO PASS, both inspires and informs readers about Florida's coast. In this episode, Annie and Sue discuss what makes this region of the country unique and where to go adventuring (including Birdsong Nature Center , Leon Sinks , Wakulla Springs , St. Marks Wildlife Refuge , and th...

Annie and Katie discuss the importance of establishing a reading rhythm and debate reading in bed, plus reference book blogger  Modern Mrs. Darcy  and  this fantastic podcast episode  by NPR podcast  Note to Self . Katie shares her favorite poetry book for young kids, Lullaby and Kisses Sweet, and Annie raves about Kitchens of the Great Midwest.      Follow The Bookshelf on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,...

Annie lists the books she read in June, including The Rocks by Peter Nichols, The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. (This episode also includes references to the Emily books by L.M. Montgomery and The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. 

Annie and Katie discuss the events in Charleston and books about race in America; start with Shauna Niequist's original question on Instagram , then read Annie's blog post  for a suggested book list. Want to dig even further? Try following the #CharlestonSyllabus hashtag  for more recommendations.  Review the podcast on iTunes here .