From The Front Porch

Annie and Bookshelf staffer Chris share their love for the Oscars and this year's Oscar-inspired books, plus they chat briefly about Harper Lee and what her death means to the literary world.  iTunes || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

Ever read a book you hated? Annie, Rebekah, and Hunter discuss the new suspense novel Perfect Days by Raphael Montes. (Spoiler-free discussion, with five minutes of spoiler-filled bonus conversation at the close of the episode.)  The book reaction video Annie mentions is here. 

Annie recaps the books she read in January, including several ARCs, a couple of thrillers, and a YA novel. (Full list with titles and authors here.)    Instagram || Facebook || Twitter

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, Voracious

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 their organization here.) 

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 website. 

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 Prissy at Reader Meet Writer, The Bookshelf's annual author fair this Saturday, September 19.) 

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 Artist in Residence program and the Artist Collective at the Thomasville Center for the Arts website. 

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.