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.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 40 minutes
- Episodes
- 560
- Years Active
- 2014 - 2025
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 left-leaning cohost of Pantsuit Politics, Sarah is …
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 fall Women in Literature class and hear…
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 titles and we recount our odd encounters w…
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 live anywhere near Thomasville, fear not! W…
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 Bookstore Day, National Superhero Day, and the…
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. If they have no entrance into the poem,…
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, "Skeezy John Mayer," Annie feels self-c…
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 Friday rolls around. Annie read: + Shar…
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 after a heavy or difficult book that nee…
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 people." This week, Annie and Chris explain wha…
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 bestselling books of the past 12 months…
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 to use the [closed] bathroom. Annie r…
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 by Adam Johnson + Lauren Groff's rev…
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 continues to swallow his words. If you like…
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 cooking craze sweeping America? Join us a…
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 Folded Clock by Heidi Julavits +The Throwb…
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 Missed It: + Kitchens of the Great Midwes…
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 children's books.
+ Watership Down by Ric…
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 another to read outside of their usual habits…
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 Book Thomas County website