We don’t do it often, but we are giving two episodes to one conversation: the Great Ann Patchett talking about the Annotated Bel Canto. After we wrap our conversation with her we talk to her bookstore, Parnassus and its manager, Cat Bock. Tune in and find out why we love Ann Patchett so much.
Books mentioned in this week's episode:
Bel Canto: The Annota ... Show More
Jul 2
Kevin Powers and the Art of Writing War
Kevin Powers’ Children of the Wild is a book about Roy and Ennis, two friends on a farm who sign up for WWI, one excited for battle, one a feral child baffled by war. What does war do to friendship? To the minds of men? We talk to Kevin, a veteran of the war in Iraq, about his ab ... Show More
38m 10s
Jun 25
Our Favorites of 2026….So Far
2026 is half over. And Kate turned 50 on June 16th. So in honor of all of this half life, we decided to talk about our favorite books so far of 2026. Tana French, Tayari Jones, Ann Patchett and Allegra Goodman all made the list, but there are so many books we have loved this year ... Show More
38m 59s
Aug 2024
Episode 490 || Literary Therapy Vol. 22
<p>This week on From the Front Porch, it’s time for another Literary Therapy session! Our literary Frasier Crane, Annie, is back to answer more of your reading questions and dilemmas. If you have a question you would like Annie to answer in a future episode, you can <a href='http ... Show More
58m 44s
Oct 2016
Ep 44: Like speed dating, but with authors
Today we meet a indie bookstore owner and kindred bookish spirit, Annie Jones. In this episode, Anne and Annie talk about her wildly unlikely path to bookstore ownership, her love of dysfunctional family literature, and the way meeting an author in person can change the way you e ... Show More
56m 54s
Dec 2019
Ep 213: Art, fear, and discovering great books
Anne chats with reader and children’s book writer Kate DiCamillo about the books that inspired her to dream up stories, the hopeful work of writing for children, and what she learns from readers about her own books. She has so much to share about the value of friendship with othe ... Show More
55m 4s
Jan 2025
Episode 511 || Annie Recommends: Book Club Selections
<p>This week on From the Front Porch, it’s an episode of Annie Recommends! In this series, Annie curates a stack of books in a certain genre or theme for you – just as if you walked into our brick-and-mortar store, The Bookshelf. Sometimes, you just want a good book list. This mo ... Show More
36m 56s
Jan 2025
Episode 512 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 23
<p>This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a Literary Therapy session! Our literary Frasier Crane, Annie, is back to answer more of your reading questions and dilemmas. If you have a question you would like Annie to answer in a future episode, you can <a href='https://www.fromthe ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2023
Ep 409: Stories you can't stop thinking about
Our guest today may be familiar to many of you: Ariel Lawhon was one of Anne's early guests, back in Episode 15, and Anne recently recommended Ariel's new book The Frozen River in Episode 393. Today, Ariel is joining Anne to talk about books and publishing, from Ariel's new relea ... Show More
51m 39s
Jan 2016
Ep 3: Books that "smart" people like, books you truly love, and books that embrace the grey
Today's guest is Jacey Verdicchio from the Around The Table podcast. Anne and Jacey discuss books that make you feel smart / not-so-smart, and the inner battle between reading what you love vs. reading what you feel like you should love. Anne recommends three bittersweet books th ... Show More
29m 13s
Aug 2019
Ep 198: Reading for the FUN of it
Ever since Anne visited today’s guest, Annie F. Downs, on her podcast That Sounds Fun a little while ago to talk about Summer Reading, she's been wanting to talk all things books and reading with Annie on What Should I Read Next. It's finally happening - and the conversation is g ... Show More
48 m