Shows / From the Front Porch
From the Front Porch
Welcome to From the Front Porch, a weekly conversational podcast on books, small business, and life in the South, produced by The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia.
Episodes
- From the Front Porch
Episode 139 || September Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 138 || Fall Literary Lineup
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 137 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 9
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 136 || Reading in the Age of Prestige Television
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 135 || Campus Tour + Nothing Stays the Same!
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 134 || August Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 133 || Three Books and a Movie
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 132 || Back to School
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 131 || Shelf Subscription Sneak Peek
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 130 || July Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 129 || Read It Again, Sam
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 128 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 8
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 127 || What Did I Read Last?
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 126 || Politics and Prose?
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 125 || June Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 124 || Summer Reading Recs
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 123 || First Impressions
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 122 || Buy or Borrow?
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 121 || May Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 120 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 7
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 119 || The Politics of Being Southern
Chris is pursuing that ever-elusive PhD, so this week, Annie interviewed Sarah Holland from the Pantsuit Politics podcast. In addition to being the…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 118 || The Other Mother
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 117 || April Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 116 || It‘s Indie Bookstore Day!
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 115 || A Rose Show by Any Other Name
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 114 || Poetry for Beginners
"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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 113 || A Literary Mixtape
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 112 || March Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 111 || Spring Cleaning (of the Mind)
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 110 || The Virtue of Occasional Sadness
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 109 || March Madness 2017
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 108 || February Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 107 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 6
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 106 || Oscar Season Reading Recs
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 105 || WWLKD?
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 104 || January Reading Recap
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…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 103 || Book Club Extravaganza
Annie and Chris get ready for the Bookshelf's upcoming Book Club Fair by discussing their favorite book club picks for 2017 (so far), including: In Case You…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 102 || Meet the Manager
Chris and Annie chat with the Bookshelf's new manager, Magali Kent, about missionary work, the proper execution of an eye roll, culture shock, and favorite…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 101 || Reading Resolutions
2016 is over, but of reading many books there is no end. In this episode, Annie and Chris talk about their resolutions for the new year and challenge one…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 100 || Mailbag, Vol. 2
From the Front Porch celebrates episode 100! Annie and Chris answer listener questions about One Book, My Brilliant Friend, and reading translations. + One…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 99 || Best Books of 2016
It's time to reflect back on 2016, which means... It's time to recap Annie's favorite books of the year. + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + Underground Railroad…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 98 || The Pros & Cons of Life in the South (ft. Julia Reed)
"Grape nuts or sex? It's a no brainer." Food writer and editor Julia Reed popped by the podcast to chat about Southern food culture, holiday entertaining, and…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 97 || November Reading Recap
Annie and Chris work through Annie's books she read in November: + Fun Home + Scrappy Little Nobody + My Brilliant Friend + Talking as Fast as I Can Listen to…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 96 || Love It or Loathe It, Vol. 5
Annie sits down with podcast regular Hunter McLendon and new voice Emily McKenna to discuss Elena Ferrante's international bestseller My Brilliant Friend. +…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 95 || Thanksgiving and Favorite Cookbooks
Annie and Chris talk Thanksgiving menus and favorite cookbooks. + The Can't Cookbook + A Southern Gentleman's Kitchen + Jamie's Food Revolution + Soup Nights +…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 94 || Mailbag, Vol. 1
On this unintentionally abbreviated episode of the podcast, Annie and Chris answer a listener email all about finding the time to read. Have your own bookish…
- From the Front Porch
Bonus Episode || Southern Hospitality with James Farmer
Southern hosts and hostesses, unite! On this special bonus episode, Annie chats with Southern lifestyle guru James Farmer. James is the author of A Time to…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 93 || October Reading Recap
Annie chats with Chris about the books she read in October: + Today Will Be Different + Dark Matter + In the Garden of Small Beginnings + Juniper (listen to…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 92 || By the Book with Annie and Chris
If you're new to From the Front Porch, this episode will introduce you to hosts Annie and Chris. Learn about their reading tastes, what they do when their not…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 91 || Boss Life with Everfan
Ever wonder what it's like to run a small business start-up? Annie and Chris chat with Scott Chastain, the owner and founder of Everfan, a customizable costume…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 90 || Book Talk with Anne Bogel
Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy and the What Should I Read Next podcast joins Annie and Chris to chat about book blogging, all those advanced reading copies…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 89 || September Reading Recap
Annie talks about the effects of stress on her reading life and chats with Chris about the books she read in September. Last month's selections included: + Moo…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 88 || Favorite Fall Titles
Curious what the life of a book sales rep might look like? Annie and Chris interview Virginia Price, a sales rep for Penguin Random House. Virginia recommends…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 87 || Behind the Scenes at SIBA
Ever wonder what a booksellers conference might look like? Annie chats with her mom about this year's Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA): the…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 86 || We'll Be There for You: TV Sitcoms + Bookselling
Author Ann Patchett recently compared bookselling to being on a sitcom. Annie and Chris investigate that claim, comparing their fellow booksellers to Friends…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 85 || Saints of Old Florida
For some, life on the Gulf Coast is a religion, and now, we've got our very own Bible of sorts: Saints of Old Florida, a gorgeous new lifestyle book by Emily…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 84 || August Reading Recap (aka The Power of Oprah)
Behold, the power of Oprah. Annie and Chris chat about the books Annie read in August, including Oprah's book club book, The Underground Railroad. The rest of…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 83 || Books in Houses
"A room without books is a body without a soul," said Cicero, and so we believe. This episode, Annie and Chris talk about the roles books play in homes and…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 82 || Taste of Thomasville
When you travel, how big of a role does food play in your experience of a new city or town? This episode, Debra Smith, the owner and founder of Taste of…
- From the Front Porch
Episode 81 || Harry Potter + Expectations
Have you read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child yet? No spoilers here, but Chris and Annie do chat about their expectations going into the newly released book…