From the Front Porch

Annie sits down for our bi-monthly show-within-a-show with frequent guests Emily and Hunter. This month, one of President Obama's favorite books of 2017, The Power by Naomi Alderman. This week's episode is brought to you in part by the City of Thomasville's 97th annual Rose Show and Festival. To learn more (and to begin booking your trip), check out the City of Thomasville's website. ​​​​​​​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 our weekly behind-the-scenes newsletter, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

It's April, which means it's time to talk about what Chris and Annie were able to read in March. Follow along as we give our reviews! And hey, so sorry about all that background noise. Starting with episode 167, we will be recording with a brand new microphone setup and our quality should dramatically improve. Thank you so much for bearing with us in this transition period! Annie read: + Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi (on sale now) + A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle + All of This is True by Lygia Day Peñafor (on sale May 15) + The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer + The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn + Sociable by Rebecca Harrington Chris read: + The Oracle Year by Charles Soule 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 Spotify playlists, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Do you have a favorite chair for reading? Maybe a front porch swing or a cozy bay window? A hammock, perhaps? This week, Annie and Chris talk about reading preferences. How to do it, why, under what circumstances, and how much at a time. Also, there aren't waterproof casts, right? 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 Spotify playlists, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Spring is in the air, which means pollen is in our sinuses, but Chris and Annie are here for your curated and almost week-by-week guide through some of this season's exciting new releases. Also, it occurs to me that many of you probably don't listen all the way to the end of the episode... You might enjoy what you find back there--and for the past 30 or so episodes. :) Featured books: + Tangerine by Christine Mangan (on sale now) + The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer (on sale April 3) + The Optimistic Decade by Heather Abel (on sale May 1) + That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam (on sale May 8) + The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (on sale May 15) + Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton (on sale June 5) + The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir (on sale June 12) 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 Spotify playlists, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Annie sits down for her husband Jordan for their annual March Madness episode, a long-standing FTFP tradition. This episode is sponsored by the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation; the Foundation's new book, Thomasville in Concert, celebrates the Foundation's 80 years in Thomasville. You can purchase the beautiful new book (written by our friend Nadia Watts) on the TEF website or in-store at The Bookshelf. This year's book bracket features The Bookshelf's "sweet sixteen" -- the 16 bestselling books of 2018 thus far: + Gracism by David Anderson + Beauty by John O'Donohue + Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan + Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer + The Afterlives by Thomas Pierce + The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin + A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle + Awayland by Ramona Ausubel + Sunburn by Laura Lippman + Only Child by Rhiannon Navin + Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro + The Driest Season by Meghan Kenny + We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter + The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey + Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward + Feel Free by Zadie Smith Other books mentioned on today's episode include: + Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott + To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett + Room by Emma Donoghue + To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee + The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon + Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle You can listen to previous March Madness episodes here. The Out of Print book bracket from 2016 is still online. This episode of On Being with John O'Donohue is so worth your time. Follow along with Anne Bogel's Book Flight Bonanza 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 what Annie didn't finish reading this month, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

You've heard us talk about Shelf Subscriptions before, but it occurred to us that many of our listeners may not know exactly what it is we're talking about. This week, Annie and Chris are joined by bookseller Kate Sutton, one of the main cogs in the machine that is fulfilling Shelf Subscription mailing orders. Also, read the reviews on your Airbnb before book. Interested in subscribing? Learn more and set up your pick at our store website. 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 what Annie didn't finish reading this month, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

February flew by, but Annie and Chris read some great books along the way. Follow along as they recap what they read. Also, ice dancing. Annie read: + Tangerine by Christine Mangan (on sale March 27) + Places I Stopped on the Way Home by Meg Fee (on sale May 8) + The All of It by Jeanette Haien + The Year of Less by Cait Flanders + That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam (on sale May 8) + Educated by Tara Westover Chris read: + The Hospital by Ahmed Bouanani (on sale June 26) 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 what Annie didn't finish reading this month, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

It's that time of year again. Chris and Annie are here to talk about the Academy's If you liked Lady Bird, we recommend: + Dumplin' by Julie Murphy + Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple + Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal If you liked The Shape of Water, we recommend: + Awayland by Ramona Ausubel + Borne by Jeff VanderMeer If you liked Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, we recommend: + A False Report by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong + The Hunting Ground by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering If you liked Call Me By Your Name, we recommend: + Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin + My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante If you liked The Post, we recommend: + The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman + Scoop by Evelyn Waugh If you liked Dunkirk, we recommend: + We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter + The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak If you liked Phantom Thread, reevaluate your choices, and then we recommend: + The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger If you liked Get Out, we recommend: + So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo + Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates + We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates 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 Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

In the spirit of St. Valentine and Fabio, Annie and Chris are talking about romance in literature--the kind we like, the kind we don't, and why it seems like YA seems to be doing it best. Mentioned this week: + When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon + Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell + Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum + What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum + This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills + Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch + The Meet Cute Series by HarperCollins Publishers You can listen to this week's This American Life 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 in-store playlists or Chris's comprehensive media log, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

It's the latest installment of our show within a show, Love It or Loathe It, in which frequent contributors Emily and Hunter discuss a contentious book with Annie in a book club-style roundtable. This week: Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro. Also mentioned this week: + What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell + Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff + At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon + Gilead by Marilynne Robinson + Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer + The Book of American Martyrs by Joyce Carol Oates 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 our weekly behind-the-scenes newsletter, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

It's our first monthly reading recap of 2018, and it's relatively light--in a good way! Follow along as Annie and Chris work their way through what they read, tropical fungal rash, and whatever David Duchovny is doing blurbing novels. Annie read: + The Ensemble by Aja Gabel + History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund + Campaign Widows by Aimee Agresti + This Love Story Will Self-Destruct by Leslie Cohen Chris read: + The Infinite Future by Tim Wirkus Also mentioned: + The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin + Swamplandia by Karen Russell + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin + The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close + All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg + Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell + Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 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 in-store playlists or Chris's comprehensive media log, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

There's a lot happening in the news lately, and it's hard to know where to turn sometimes when it seems like everyone has hard opinions and no one wants to give. We like being a cozy place for you, but that's honestly kind of difficult sometimes, especially when we're passionate about something. This week, Chris and Annie talk about that difficulty. Also, check your tire pressure. Mentioned this week: + This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin + Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty + Dumplin' by Julie Murphy + The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak + The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood + Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg + If I Lean In, Will Men Just Look Down My Blouse by Gina Barreca + You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein + Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit + Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay + Difficult Women by Roxane Gay + Shrill by Lindy West + This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins (on sale January 30) + Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer (on sale February 8) + Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo + Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

It's a new year and we've got our resolutions ready, but what about all those books that are supposed to help us sort ourselves out? This week, Annie and Chris chat about self-help and personal growth. Pretty scary, right? Mentioned this week: + The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton + Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller + A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller + Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell + The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo + The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell + The New Minimalism by Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici + The Capsule Wardrobe by Wendy Mak + The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees + The Art of Stopping Time by Pedram Shojai + How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (on sale February 6) + The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead + Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill by Gretchen Rubin + The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin + Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin + The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin + The Family Manager by Kathy Peel + The Simplified Life by Emily Ley + When by Daniel H. Pink + Originals by Adam Grant + Grit by Angela Duckworth + What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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. 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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 Joshilyn Jackson + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett + Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng + The End We Start From by Megan Hunter + Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward + The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak + We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter + Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie + Option B by Sheryl Sandberg + Calling a Wolf a Wolf by Kaveh Akbar + Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin + Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here. See you in 2018!

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 @karibaumann @jamiebgolden @knoxmccoy If you want to hear Chris and Annie talk about Great Books curriculum at a time when they didn't know one another very well, listen to Episode 35 here. This episode is sponsored in part by Fontaine Maury, a branding and design firm with offices in Thomasville and Tallahassee. Check them out at their website. 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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 join us for Victorian Christmas, our annual celebration of the holiday in the manner of a Victorian street fair! Mark December 14 and 15 on your calendars and learn more 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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: + Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich Also mentioned: + Mindhunter + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett This episode is brought to you in part by the city of Thomasville. Come join us for Victorian Christmas, our annual celebration of the holiday in the manner of a Victorian street fair! Mark December 14 and 15 on your calendars and learn more 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

'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 + Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin + Dragons Love Tacos Too by Adam Rubin + Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone + Franklin's Flying Bookshop by Jen Campbell and Kathie Harnett + The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak + Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems + There's a Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone + This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen + Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman + Little Red by Bethan Woollvin + The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz + Hooray for Hat by Dave Won + Boss Baby by Marla Frazee + Bossier Baby by Marla Frazee + King Baby by Kate Beaton + Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae + God's Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell + Big and Small, God Made Them All by Ben Wilder + The Story Cure by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin This episode is brought to you in part by the city of Thomasville. Come join us for Victorian Christmas, our annual celebration of the holiday in the manner of a Victorian street fair! Mark December 14 and 15 on your calendars and learn more here. This week's episode is also sponsored by the Paxton House, a historic bed and breakfast in downtown Thomasville. Make a reservation at their website above and follow them on Instagram 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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 Community by Wendell Berry + Voracious by Cara Nicoletti + A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg + Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal + The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller + Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin + Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone + Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon + Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist + Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker Follow Joy the Baker here. (Or Drake on Cake here.) This week's episode is sponsored by the Paxton House, a historic bed and breakfast in downtown Thomasville. Make a reservation at their website above and follow them on Instagram 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 our side-podcast Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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 Mockingbird by Harper Lee, check out Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett. If you like One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, you may enjoy Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo. If you like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, you may enjoy The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. If you like Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, you may enjoy My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. If you like The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, you may enjoy The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. If you like The Giver by Lois Lowry, you may enjoy Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. If you like In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, you may enjoy American Fire by Monica Hesse. If you like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, you may enjoy Blankets by Craig Thompson. If you like The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, you may enjoy Delancey by Molly Wizenberg. If you like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, you may enjoy The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. November 25 is Small Business Saturday! Come visit us at the Bookshelf and see all of our small business friends. If you can't come to Thomasville that weekend, support your local businesses! Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for our theme music. Listen to more here. If you'd like to gain access to our exclusive content, consider supporting us on Patreon here. Full episodes of our show are available here.

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 Quatro + Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum + Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Chris read: + Pregnant Butch by A. K. Summers + Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel + The First Bad Man by Miranda July Also mentioned: + Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco + Looking for Alaska by John Green + The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for the use of our theme music. Check out their website here. Find a full back catalogue of our show here. If you're interested in our exclusive bonus content like Unpopular Opinions or our weekly newsletter, you can learn more on our Patreon site.

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 Complete Stories + We're in Trouble by Christopher Coake + Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson + Emporium by Adam Johnson + Later, at the Bar by Rebecca Barry + Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout + Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower + CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders + One More Thing by B. J. Novak + Music for Wartime by Rebecca Makkai + Difficult Women by Roxane Gay + Awayland by Ramona Ausubel + Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado CJ's favorite collections: + Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger + Bear Down, Bear North by Melinda Moustakis + St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell Annie's favorite collections: + St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell + Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson + A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor Chris's favorite collections: + No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July + Sorry Please Thank You by Charles Yu + CivilWarLand in Bad Decline by George Saunders Learn more about CJ and find links to her writing on her website. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers for our intro music. You can check them out at their website. This episode is sponsored in part by Fontaine Maury, a branding and design firm with offices in Thomasville and Tallahassee. Check them out at their website. You can find full episodes of our show on our website. You can support us on Patreon here.

'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 You Too by Elizabeth Rogers + The Littlest Witch by Jeanne Massey + The Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman + The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz + Velocity by Dean Koontz + The Taking by Dean Koontz + Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn + Final Girls by Riley Sager + There's Somebody Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins + Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero + The Likeness by Tana French + The Secret Place by Tana French + The Fever by Megan Abbott + Dare Me by Megan Abbott + You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott + In Cold Blood by Truman Capote + The Lost Girls by Robert Kolker + Who Killed These Girls? by Beverly Lowry + The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule + IT by Stephen King + My Friend Dahmer by John Backderf + Dark Places by Gillian Flynn + It Devours! by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor Thank you , as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Listen to more of their music at their website. Thank you SO MUCH to our supporters on Patreon. If you'd like access to exclusive bonus content and behind-the-scenes features, you can learn learn how here. For a full back catalogue of our show, check out our website here.

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 at your leisure on Libro.fm and list The Bookshelf as your partner store! Mentioned this week: + David Sedaris + A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan + Angels and Demons by Dan Brown + Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling + Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane + Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell + The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher + The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson + This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders + All the Lives I Want by Alana Massey + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett + Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult + Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert This episode is brought to you in part by Fontaine Maury, a branding and design firm with offices in Thomasville and Tallahassee. View a portfolio of their work and contact them regarding your branding needs at their website. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Learn more and listen to their music at their website. HUGE thanks to our Patreon supporters, who allow us time to create fun bonus content. If you'd like to give us a few dollars a month and get exclusive access to our secret projects, check us out here.

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, Southern, and US sources and a wide selection of classes for advanced knitters and novices alike. Check them out on Instagram here. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Listen to more of their music on their website. And thank you SO MUCH to our Patreon supporters. If you would like to support us for a few dollars a month and get rewarded with regular bonus content, check out our site here.

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 Ian Morgan Cron and Susan Stabile + To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay + Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi + When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon + Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan + Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward Chris read: + The Afterlives by Thomas Pierce (on sale January 2018) + The Mothers by Brit Bennett Also mentioned: + Bossypants by Tina Fey + Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher + Grit by Angela Duckworth + The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Thank you, as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Learn more at their website. For an almost-full catalogue of our old episodes, learn more, or contact us, visit our website. Thank you SO MUCH to our Patreon supporters. If you'd like to become a patron and access our monthly bonus content, check us out here.

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 Hanks + Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie + My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent + Five-Carat Soul by James McBride + The Floating World by C. Morgan Babst + Grant by Ron Chernow + An Odyssey by Daniel Mendelsohn + The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers + Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips + What Unites Us by Dan Rather Also mentioned: + Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward + Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng + The Martian by Andy Weir Support us on Patreon here. Listen to previous episodes here. Learn more about Shelf Subscriptions here. Thanks, as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Learn more here.

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 by Tahereh Mafi + Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith + Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Special mid-credits guest appearance by Margery K. Bear. Thank you, as always, to Forlorn Strangers. Learn more at their website.

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 + Hagseed by Margaret Atwood + The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta + The Leftovers on HBO + Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty + Big Little Lies on HBO + Before the Fall by Noah Hawley + Fargo on FX + Fargo by the Coen Brothers + Legion on FX If you liked The Crown on Netflix, you might enjoy: + The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan + Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan + China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan + Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan If you liked The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu, you might enjoy: + Children of Men by P. D. James + Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler If you liked This is Us on NBC, you might enjoy: + The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney + Modern Lovers by Emma Straub + Adopted by Kelley Nikondeha + Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate If you liked Westworld on HBO, you might enjoy: + Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick + Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie If you liked Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, you might enjoy: + The Girls by Emma Cline + The Assistants by Camille Perri If you liked Stranger Things on Netflix, you might enjoy: + Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero If you liked Master of None on Netflix, you might enjoy: + Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari + Read Bottom Up by Neel Shah and Skye Chatham Learn more about Forlorn Strangers on their website. Support us on Patreon here.

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 John Knowles + Looking for Alaska by John Green + The Fault in Our Stars by John Green + The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach + Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld + Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan + Friends from College + Tribal by Diane Roberts + Tribe by Sebastian Junger + Against Football by Steve Almond + The One and Only by Emily Giffin Learn more about Forlorn Strangers at their website. Support us on Patreon here. Find your favorite books in our online store.

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 sale October 3) + There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins + Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka + The Misfortune of Marion Palm by Emily Culliton + Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong + Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker + The Party by Robyn Harding Also mentioned: + Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood + Brain on Fire by Susannah Calahan + Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins + Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty + Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford + Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple + Seven by Jen Hatmaker + For the Love by Jen Hatmaker + The Dinner by Herman Koch There are changes on the horizon! Stay tuned! There's one day left to sign up for September's Shelf Subscription pick, so check out our store website for more details!

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 Never Told You by Celeste Ng + Scream Chris's "A Space Odyssey" syllabus: + The Martian by Andy Weir + The Wanderers by Meg Howrey + The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber + Gravity Annie's "Not Another Teen Movie" syllabus: + Dumplin' by Julie Murphy + You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein + Dare Me by Megan Abbott + The DUFF Chris's "Kubelko Bondy" syllabus: + The End We Start From by Megan Hunter + The First Bad Man by Miranda July + Spider-Woman by Dennis Hopeless + The Babadook Annie's "Slightly Romantic" syllabus:+ Extraordinary Adventures by Daniel Wallace + This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance by Jonathan Evison + The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison + Dan in Real Life Chris's [bonus] "Cruise Ship" syllabus: + "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" by David Foster Wallace + "My Honeymoon, or A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again Either" by Tina Fey + "Our Perfect Summer" by David Sedaris Chris's "The Earth is Alive" syllabus: + Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard + Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry + The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien + An Inconvenient Truth OR Mad Max: Fury Road OR Waterworld Annie's "Campus Tour" syllabus: + Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld + Shadow of the Lions by Christopher Swann + The Secret History by Donna Tartt + Dead Poets Society OR Liberal Arts Chris's "Apollo and Dionysus" syllabus: + The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietszche + The Secret History by Donna Tartt + Brave New World by Aldous Huxley + Black Swan Annie's "Family Dysfunction" syllabus: + The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney + Commonwealth by Ann Patchett + Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny + The Family Stone Learn more about Bookshelf Bucks on our store website.

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 Jeff Kinney + Dog Man by Dav Pilkey + Theodore Boone series by John Grisha + Treasure Hunters series by James Patterson + Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale + Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler + Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer + Hatchet by Gary Paulsen + The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle by Bill Myers + A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle + The Austin Family Chronicles by Madeleine L'Engle + The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis + Bloomability by Sharon Creech + The Wanderer by Sharon Creech + The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg + From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg + Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson + An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott + Little Women by Louisa May Alcott + The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain + Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery + A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein + Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein + The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein + The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer + All-of-a-Kind Family series by Sydney Taylor + Bobbsey Twins series by Laura Lee Hope + Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace + Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol + Nimona by Noelle Stevenson + Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur by Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare + Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson + Hamster Princess series by Ursula Vernon + I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis + Time Warp Trio series by John Scieszka + The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne

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 Bennett + Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin + Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal Chris’s picks are for fans of: + Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders + Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel + A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan Maddie’s picks are for fans of: + Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel + The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman + The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemison Kate’s picks are for fans of: + The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee + The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell + Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Ashley’s picks are for fans of: + Paper Towns by John Green + What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons + This Is How It Always Is by Lauren Frankel Magali’s picks are for fans of: + The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle + The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien + Tlll We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis Learn more about Shelf Subscriptions at our store website. If you would like to advertise your business on From the Front Porch, email Annie at annie [at] bookshelfthomasville [dot] com.

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 + Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood + What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons + The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder Chris read: + The End We Start From by Megan Hunter (on sale November 7) + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett Also mentioned: + Dumplin' by Julie Murphy + It Devours by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor + Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi + Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

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." Mentioned this week: + Historia Regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth + Little Women by Louisa May Alcott + An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott + Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott + Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott + the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling + the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis + The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien + The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald + The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger + Brave New World by Aldous Huxley + To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee + The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins + Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel + Paradise Lost by John Milton + The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt + The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon + The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe + Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff + Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Check out Shelf Subscriptions, a new monthly book delivery service from The Bookshelf, on our website and sign up for fresh picks from Annie, Chris, and the rest of The Bookshelf staff!

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: Liars Club Prozac Nation BossyPants Yes Please Is Everyone Hanging out without Me The Essex Serpent

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 special prize if you get us to 150 on iTunes.

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 August) + The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close Backlist: + Before the Fall by Noah Hawley Non-fiction: + This Town by Mark Leibovich + Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco + Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow + Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

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 sale October 10) + Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (on sale (on sale September 12) + Theft by Finding by David Sedaris + The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante Chris read: + Marriage of a Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu Hey, did you know that we read and recap books in literally every episode of this podcast, not just the ones labeled "Reading Recap"? I just want to make sure that you do because we have so many recommendations for you all the time always and want you to enjoy!

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 Jason Rekulak Page-Turners + Dark Matter by Blake Crouch + Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld + Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy + American Fire by Monica Hesse (on sale July 11) Stories with a Twist + Into the Water by Paula Hawkins + Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane Family Dramas + Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood + Last Things by Marissa Moss + Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett Heavy Thinking + Option B by Sheryl Sandberg + Borne by Jeff VanderMeer + The Leavers by Lisa Ko + Theft by Finding by David Sedaris + Marriage of a Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu You can read Maile Meloy's interview with Ann Patchett here. Hey, we're new to Stitcher and would love to build our review base. Can you help us get to 25 reviews? There's a prize in it for you...

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 Austen + Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy + Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky + Frankenstein by Mary Shelley + The Wanderers by Meg Howrey + The First Bad Man by Miranda July + The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger + Exit West by Mohsin Hamid + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal + Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson + One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Tag us (@bookshelftville) in a tweet or Instagram post telling us what we're doing right. We want to give you more!

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 Wilson and Adrian Alphona + The Senator's Children by Nicholas Montemarano (out November 7) + The Leavers by Lisa Ko + Windfall by Jennifer Smith + Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny + The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (out January 2018) Chris read: + The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz + It Devours! by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor (out October 17) + Borne by Jeff VanderMeer See also Katie Couric's interview with Sheryl Sandberg here.

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 the online store. Follow The Bookshelf on Twitter and Instagram.

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 culture really comes from and Sarah's obsession with Designing Women. Annie and Sarah mentioned: + the Southern Foodways Alliance + the Whitney Plantation + Designing Women, "Southerns Do NOT Eat Dirt" + Classics Sarah's never read but wish she has: Don Quixote and War and Peace + Podcasts Sarah listens to: Pod Save America; The Weeds; This American Life; On Being; Death, Sex, & Money; Freakonomics; Hidden Brain + Tara Brach's meditations + Indigo Girl's "Southland in the Springtime" + Sarah's currently reading: Tales of Titans, East of Eden, and Talent Code

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 Alison Bechdel + Pregnant Butch by A. K. Summers + Marriage of a Thousand Lies by SJ Sindu + Beloved by Toni Morrison + The Babadook *CORRECTION: The quote from Beloved is "You your own best thing, Sethe," not "You your best self," as previously reported. Some of Annie's favorites: + Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple + The Mothers by Brit Bennett + The Color of Water by James McBride + Rabbit Cake by Annie Harnett + Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan + A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson + This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel + French Milk by Lucy Knisley And please, are there good mother/son novels out there that don't have any sort of implied incest theme? Let me know. I need to know.

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) + Shadow of the Lions by Christopher Swann (out August 1) + The Wanderers by Meg Howrey + The Color of Water by James McBride + Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave (out July 11) + A Separation by Kate Kitamura + Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett Chris read: + Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (again) +The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz Check out these books and more (including our brand new Bookshelf tote bag!) in our online store.