From the Front Porch

Latest Episodes:

Episode 242 || Banned Books Week Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

Challenges and censorship are hard things to discuss! But we're going to try. The American Library Association's discussion of 2018's most challenged books is 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 Chris's ranking of Taylor Swift songs, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 241 || Seasonal Reads: Falling into Fall Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

In anticipation of next week's seasonal Literary Lunch, we're talking about some of Annie's favorite "fall books" and letting you in on a quick preview of what's new for the season! To join us virtually, purchase your ticket here and select "Virtual Option" for your lunch! You can find all of the following books for sale (or preorder) in The Bookshelf's online store. + The Body Lies by Jo Baker + The Other's Gold by Elizabeth Ames + Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver + The Dutch House by Ann Patchett + Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur 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 Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 240 || Book-TV-Movie Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

The fall season means new TV, and Annie came prepared this week with a series of curated media samplers just for you. Also, Chris and Annie have some cultural amnesia regarding the respective careers of Amanda Bynes and Mandy Moore. You can find all of the following books for sale (or preorder) in The Bookshelf's online store. + The Politician (Netflix) + The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern + Election (dir. Alexander Payne, 1999) + Nancy Drew (The CW) + The Spellman Files by + Nancy Drew by Kelly Thompson and Jenn St. Onge + Nancy Drew (dir. Andrew Fleming, 2007) + Nancy Drew (dir. Kat Shea, 2019) + Succession (HBO) + All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg + This is Where I Leave You (dir. Shawn Levy, 2014) + The Righteous Gemstones (HBO) + The Preacher's Wife by Kate Bowler + The Book of Essie by Meghan McLean Weir + Saved! (dir. Brian Dannelly, 2004) + Unbelievable (Netflix) + A False Report by Ken Armstrong and T. Christian Miller + The Hunting Ground (dir. Kirby Dick, 2015) + The Unicorn (CBS) + Fleishman is in Trouble by + Three Men and a Baby (dir. Leonard Nimoy, 1987) 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 Chris's ranking of Taylor Swift songs, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 239 || August Reading Recap Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

Another calendar page has come and gone. Join us for a good, old-fashioned chat about the books we read in August. Annie read: + The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff + Frankly in Love by David Yoon + The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth + Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers by Anna James + The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt + The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall + The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Chris read: + God by Reza Aslan + The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal 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 Chris's ranking of Taylor Swift songs, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 238 || We‘re Stressed Out! Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

Annie and Chris are back together, but y'all, it's a stressful season. And we know we always say that! Join us for a discussion of some of the particular stressors in our lives and how they do or do not affect our reading habits. Particular books we recommend on the subject are: + Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski + Marriageology by Belinda Luscombe 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 Chris's ranking of Taylor Swift songs, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 237 || Live with Mary Laura Philpott Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

As part of The Bookshelf's July 2019 Reader Retreat, Chris and Annie had the pleasure of sitting down for a live podcast recording with Mary Laura Philpott, bestselling author of I Miss You When I Blink. We chatted about the US/British children's lit split again, some of our favorite bookselling moments, and how weird it is to do this live! Listen to a full back catalogue of our show here, and, if you're interested in some exclusive content like Chris and Annie's Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 236 || Backlist Book Club, Vol. 4 Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

Annie and frequent guest contributor Hunter keep the Backlist Book Club feature rolling with a discussion of Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Goldfinch, soon to be a major motion picture.

Follow Hunter and his own Backlist Book Club 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 Chris and Annie's Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 235 || Seasonal Reads: Back to School! Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

On this edition of Seasonal Reads, we're taking you back to school! Or celebrating the fact that your kids are back in school and you might be feeling some relief after the long days of summer vacation. You can find all of the following books for sale (or preorder) in The Bookshelf's online store. Now That You've Got a Break... + Family of Origin by CJ Hauser + City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert + The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal + Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane + The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead + Lock Every Door by Riley Sager For the Nervous Student + We Don't Eat our Classmates by + All Are Welcome by + Planet Kindergarten by + Kindergarten Countdown by Marjorie Parker + The Pigeon Has to Go to School by + The King of Kindergarten by For Those Who Want to Go Back + Bloomability by Sharon Creech + People Like Us by + The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak + Looking for Alaska by John Green + The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher 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 Chris and Annie's Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 234 || July Reading Recap Aug 01, 2019

Show notes

July was a very busy month here at The Bookshelf, and while our combined list is somewhat small, it allowed us to have a deeper conversation about what we managed to finish! You can find all of the following books for sale (or preorder) in The Bookshelf's online store. Annie read: + Ordinary People by Diana Evans + The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory + Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner + The Other's Gold by Elizabeth Ames Chris read: + Family of Origin by CJ Hauser + God by Reza Aslan 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 Chris and Annie's Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

Episode 233 || Family of Origin Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

Chris and Annie are joined by longtime friend of the show CJ Hauser to talk about her new novel, Family of Origin, available now from Doubleday. They discuss millennials, dysfunctional families, healing from trauma, wacky scientists, baseball, and Anglo-Saxon poetry. By now you've probably seen her viral essay, "The Crane Wife," published at The Paris Review. You can snag your copy of Family of Origin in The Bookshelf's online store. 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 Chris and Annie's Unpopular Opinions, consider supporting us on Patreon here.

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