The Friendly City Books Podcast
by Friendly City Books
Since 2020, Friendly City Books has served as an independent bookstore and gathering space for book lovers in our hometown of Columbus, Mississippi. Here at Friendly City Books we read every genre, from romance to horror and everything in between, and so do our customers. We can’t stop professing our undying love of books to anyone who will listen. And now, through our podcasts, we hope to connect our local community with readers and authors around the world. Our team of enthusiastic book sellers and customers will be hosting book discussions, author interviews, and offering up some really awesome recommendations. We can’t wait to share our favorite books with you. Thank you for supporting Friendly City Books by listening to our podcast. Shop with us in store and online through bookshop.org, libro.fm, and friendlycitybooks.com/shop. Happy reading!
Episodes
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Author Interview - Kate Fagan
Devan talks with Kate Fagan about her debut fiction novel The Three Lives of Cate Kay! - Kate Fagan is an Emmy-award winning journalist and the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of WHAT MADE MADDY RUN, which was a semi-finalist for the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting. Her first…
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Author Interview - Beth Kander
Beth Kander joins Emily in the FCB studio to celebrate her debut novel, I Made It Out of Clay, a darkly funny Jewish holiday romance. - Beth Kander is a USA Today best-selling writer with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. She is the author of the novel I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY and several...
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Author Interview - Boyce Upholt
Patrick Dean talks with Boyce Upholt, author of The Great River: The making and Unmaking of the Mississippi, his debut book. - Boyce Upholt is a journalist and essayist whose writing has appeared in the Atlantic, National Geographic, the Oxford American, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among other...
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Author Interview - Minrose Gwin
Emily talks with Minrose Gwin, author of Beautiful Dreamers, her fourth novel and ninth book. - A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Minrose has been a writer all of her working life, starting out as a newspaper and wire service reporter and working in Mobile, Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville. She…
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Author Interview - Brom
American gothic author and artist Brom joins Rachel in the FCB Studio to discuss his newest book, Evil in Me - available now! - Over the past few decades, acclaimed dark fantasy artist Brom has lent his distinctive vision to all facets of the creative industries, from novels and games to comics…
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Author Interview - Dale Gray
Caroline talks with Dale Gray, author of South of Somewhere and creator of The Daley Plate! Don’t miss Dale Gray at the Possumtown Book Fest in Columbus, MS on August 24th! - Dale Gray was born in South Africa. After graduating from Stellenbosch University, she moved to South Korea to teach…
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Author Interview - Ace Atkins
Thomas Easterling sits down with NYT Bestselling author, Ace Atkins to discuss his thrilling new book, Don’t Let the Devil Ride. Don’t miss Ace Atkins at the Possumtown Book Fest in Columbus, MS on August 24th! - Ace Atkins is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who started his...
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Author Interview - Rob Renzetti Returns
Author and animator-extraordinaire Rob Renzetti joins Rachel again to discuss his newest middle-grade novel, The Twisted Tower of Endless Torment! This is the second time Rob Renzetti has joined us, Listen to the first episode we did with Rob Renzetti last year! Rob Renzetti is a multi-talented...
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Hot Possum Horror - Make it Gay! Edition
Rachel and Lauren celebrate Hot Possum Horror's return with a crossover episode of HPH and Make It Gay! Tune in to discover their favorite Queer Horror books! - List of recommendations to come! - Thank you for supporting Friendly City Books by listening to our podcast. Shop with us in store and...
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Make it Gay! - Mississippi
Make It Gay! is a series that celebrates queer stories and authors in different genres. This week Lauren is joined by University of Mississippi's Pip Gordon to explore Mississippi's queer literary legacy. - Philip "Pip" Gordon was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up just north of Faulkner's...
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Author Interview - Vaishnavi Patel
Debut author Vaishnavi Patel joins Aislinn in the FCB studio to celebrate her captivating new novel, Goddess of the River! ICYMI - Goddess of the River will be The Muses Book Club's July Pick at Friendly City Books! - Vaishnavi Patel is a lawyer focusing on constitutional law and civil rights.…
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Author Interview - O.O. Sangoyomi
Debut author O.O. Sangoyomi joins Caroline in the FCB studio to discuss her captivating new novel, Masquerade! And big news - O.O. Sangoyomi will be at the 2024 Mississippi Book Festival, and Masquerade will be The Muses Book Club's August Pick at Friendly City Books! - O.O. Sangoyomi is a…
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Author Interview - Joselyn Takacs
Joselyn Takacs joins Emily in the FCB studio to celebrate her debut novel, Pearce Oysters, a family drama set during the 2010 BP Oil Spill. - Joselyn Takacs holds a PhD in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Fiction from Johns Hopkins…
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Make it Gay! - Historical Fiction
Caroline and Lauren are celebrating Pride Month with a countdown of their favorite lgtbq+ historical fiction novels! - Make It Gay! is a series that celebrates queer stories and authors in different genres. Don't forget to check out our previous episodes on YA, Fantasy, Romance, and Poetry! -...
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Author Interview - Maggie Hagerman
Author Margaret Hagerman sits down with Emily to discuss her new book - Children of a Troubled Time Growing Up with Racism in Trump's America. - Margaret A. Hagerman is Associate Professor of Sociology and Faculty Affiliate in African American Studies and Gender Studies at Mississippi State...
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Author Interview - Katherine Center
Caroline sits down with NYT Bestselling romance author, Katherine Center to discuss her new book, The Rom-commers - a must-read for any romantic comedy lover! - BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of over half a dozen...
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Author Interview - Jess Everlee
Author Jess Everlee joins Lauren in the FCB Studio to celebrate her delightful new romance novel, A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence! - Jess Everlee writes decadent romance from the Northeast Ohio split-level she shares with her small family of furballs and fellow humans. She holds a B.A. from…
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Author Interview - Joanna Pearson
Author Joanna Pearson sits down with Emily to discuss her debut novel - Bright and Tender Dark. - Joanna Pearson is the author of two short story collections and a book of poetry. Her stories have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and many other...
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Author Interview - Ellen Ann Fentress
Emily sits down with Mississippi author and journalist Ellen Ann Fentress to discuss her memoir Steps We Take: A Memoir of Southern Reckoning. - Ellen Ann Fentress is the author of: *The Steps We Take: A Memoir of Southern Reckoning (bookshop.org) Ellen Ann Fentress is a veteran writer for the…
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Author Interview - Clay McLeod Chapman
Rachel sits down with one of her favorite horror authors EVER, Clay McLeod Chapman, to discuss his books and experience as an author in the horror genre. - Clay McLeod Chapman is the author of many novels, including: *What Kind of Mother (bookshop.org)(libro.fm) *Ghost Eaters...
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Friendly City Bestsellers - January - April 2024
Friendly City Bestsellers is a quarterly deep dive into FCB's bestsellers and customer favorites. - FCB’s Always Bestsellers How to Read - Thomas Richardson (friendlycitybooks.com) Stretch Like Scarlet - Emily Liner, Illustrated by John Clark IV (friendlycitybooks.com) - January - April 2024 Best...
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Author Interview - Hannah Murphy Winter and Billie Winter
Lauren talks with Billie Winter and Hannah Murphy Winter about their stunning new book, Queer Power Couples: On Love and Possibility. Available now! - Hannah Murphy Winter (she/they) is a journalist who writes about queerness and policies that impact LGBTQ+ lives. Her work frequently appears in...
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Author Interview - Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Mississippi author, Aimee Nezhukumatathil joins Randi in the FCB studio to celebrate her new book, Bite by Bite! Don't miss Aimee IN COLUMBUS, MS this Saturday, May 11th! - Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of the New York Times best-selling illustrated collection of nature essays, WORLD OF...
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Savor: Poems for the Tongue
Introducing our newest book from Friendly City Books - Savor: Poems for the Tongue! Join Emily as she talks with editors Brennan Breeland and Stan Galloway about all things Savor - from its inception to the final product! - SAVOR: Poems for the Tongue is a feast of words, a banquet laid out…
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Maasholes - The Finale
We made it through all of ACOTAR and Crescent City, and our Maasholes journey has come to a close... for now! Randi and Caroline reunite one last time to look back on this adventure through the Maas-verse, and discuss Crescent City 3 and their predictions for the future of the SJM universe.…
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Author Interview - Tracie McMillan
Author and journalist, Tracie McMillan joins Emily to discuss her new book, The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America. - Raised in rural Michigan, Detroit- and Brooklyn-based writer Tracie McMillan has written for publications including the New York Times; Washington...
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Make it Gay! - Poetry
National Poetry Month is here! C.T. Salazar joins Lauren to celebrate some of their favorite queer poets and poetry collections! Make It Gay! is a series that celebrates queer stories and authors in different genres. Don't forget to check out our previous episodes on YA, Fantasy, and Romance! -...
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Author Interview - Joseph Thompson
Carter sits down with MSU professor of History Dr. Joseph Thompson about his new book, Cold War Country: How Nashville's Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism. Don't miss Joseph Thompson in Columbus, MS on April 2nd! - Dr. Joseph M. Thompson is an assistant professor...
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Author Interview - Kate Medley
Emily sits down with photojournalist Kate Medley about her new book, Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South. Don't miss Kate Medley in Columbus, MS on April 4th! - Kate Medley (she/her) is a North Carolina-based visual journalist and filmmaker documenting the...
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Author Interview - Anya Liftig
Author and performance artist, Anya Liftig joins Emily in the FCB studio to discuss her memoir, Holler Rat. - Anya Liftig is an author and performance artist who has had her creative work exhibited at Tate Modern and MoMA, and she has curated events at The Kitchen, the Center for Performance...
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Make It Gay! - Romance
Make It Gay! is a podcast series that celebrates queer authors and stories in different genres. This week, Lauren is joined by Jodi from Blue Cypress Books to explore all things queer romance! - Thank you for supporting Friendly City Books by listening to our podcast. Shop with us in store and...
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Author Interview - June Gervais
Author and friend of FCB, June Gervais joins Rachel to discuss her debut novel, Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair! - June Gervais grew up on the south shore of Long Island and earned her MFA in Writing and Literature at Bennington College. Her many jobs have included shelving library books and...
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FCB TBR - Spring 2024
Our To Be Read stacks just keep getting bigger! There are so many fantastic books coming out this Spring - here are the ones we can't wait to read: Emily's TBR - Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (bookshop.org)(libro.fm) Circle Back by Adam Clay (bookshop.org) The White Bonus by Tracie…
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Author Interview - Gerry Wilson
Mississippi author, Gerry Wilson joins Emily to discuss her new book, That Pinson Girl. Join Gerry, in conversation with Ellen Ann Fentress, at the Columbus Lowndes Public Library on March 11th at noon! - A seventh generation Mississippian, Gerry Wilson grew up in the red clay hills of the north....
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Maasholes 10.5 - Crescent City 3: House of Flame and Shadow *Part 2*
In true SJM style, we've saved the best for last. Caroline and Aislinn's breakdown of Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow continues with Part 2 of our CCHOFAS episode! - This is a huge Maasholes episode... which feels fitting for such a huge book! So we're breaking it up into two parts. THIS...
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Maasholes 10 - Crescent City 3: House of Flame and Shadow *Part 1*
It's finally here! Caroline and Aislinn breakdown Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow - including their favorite moments, big reveals, and so much lore! - This is a huge Maasholes episode... which feels fitting for such a huge book! So we're breaking it up into two parts. THIS EPISODE IS…
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Make It Gay! - Fantasy
Make It Gay! is a series that celebrates queer stories and authors in different genres. This week Lauren, Caroline, and Aaron are sharing some of their go-to recommendations in their favorite genre - fantasy! - Cozy Fantasy Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree (bookshop.org) (libro.fm) Bookshops...
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Author Interview - Grace Elizabeth Hale
Grace Elizabeth Hale joins Hillary in the FCB studio to discuss her latest nonfiction book, In the Pines: A Lynching, A Lie, A Reckoning. Don't miss Dr. Hale in conversation with Ralph Eubanks on Saturday, Feb. 24th @ 2pm at the Columbus Arts Council! - Dr. Grace Elizabeth Hale is the…
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Author Interview - Linda Williams Jackson
Mississippi children's author and friend of Friendly City Books, Linda Williams Jackson joins Emily to talk about her career as a children's author. Plus! Advice for anyone looking to self-publish a book of their own! - Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta in the teeny-tiny town of Rosedale ,...
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Author Interview - Jumata Emill
Southern author and journalist Jumata Emill joins Emily to discuss his murderous new YA novel, Wander in the Dark. Plus! Some sage tips for celebrating Mardi Gras in style! - Jumata Emill is a journalist who has covered crime and local politics in Mississippi and parts of Louisiana. He earned his...
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Maasholes 9 - Crescent City: House of Theories and Chaos
We're just days away from the worldwide premiere of Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow! Caroline, Randi, and Emily O. join forces to discuss their predictions for the future of Crescent City and the Sarah J. Maas universe. Plus! More chaotic fan theories! - Heads up! This episode contains...
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Maasholes 8 - Crescent City 2: House of Sky and Breath
Emily O. is back for more fun and Maashole mayhem as she and Caroline breakdown everything you need to know about Crescent City: House of Sky and Breath. - Heads up! This episode contains spoilers for Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath. Also - in the episode...
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Make It Gay! - YA
Lauren is kicking off a new FCB podcast series - Make It Gay! Make It Gay! is a series that celebrates queer stories and authors in different genres. First up, we're talking about YA - a genre with incredible representation and great stories for adults and young adult readers alike! - Fantasy &...
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Friendly City Bestsellers - 2023
Emily and Caroline count down Friendly City Books's bestselling titles of 2023. Plus! A look at exciting things to come in 2024! - FCB’s Always Bestsellers How to Read - Thomas Richardson (friendlycitybooks.com) Stretch Like Scarlet - Emily Liner, Illustrated by John Clark IV...
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Hot Possum Horror - Holiday Horror
Happy Holidays! Rachel and her dad, Randy, are celebrating the holiday season by sharing some of their favorite holiday horror books and movies! - Rachel's Holiday Horror Book Recommendations: Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom (bookshop.org) (libro.fm) NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (bookshop.org) (libro.fm) A...
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FCB Holiday Gift Recs 2023
Let our booksellers help you find the perfect bookish gifts for your friends and loved ones! Lauren, Emily, Caroline, and Rachel share their favorite gift recommendations for the holiday season! - Caroline's Recommendations - Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (bookshop.org) (libro.fm) Fourth Wing by...
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A Very Merry FCB Christmas with Landon of @landontalks
Mississippi natives Landon Bryant of @landontalks and Bookseller Grace share their favorite Southern holiday traditions and the unique joys of celebrating Christmas in Mississippi. - Landon Bryant is a social media personality who celebrates Mississippi by exploring the culture and atmosphere of...
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Maasholes 7 - Crescent City 1: House of Earth and Blood
We're in the home stretch! And Crescent City is just as good as we hoped. If you're an SJM fan but you haven't read Crescent City yet, what are you waiting for?!?! There's still plenty of time to read the first two books before the third comes out! - Heads up! This episode contains spoilers for...
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Author Interview - Helen Ellis
Southern humorist and author, Helen Ellis joins Hillary in the FCB studio to discuss life, love, and her newest book, Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions from a Happy Marriage - Helen Ellis is the author of Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light, Southern Lady Code, American...
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Hot Possum Horror - Horror Classics
Time for some horror herstory! Rachel and Lauren share their appreciation for legendary horror classic authors Mary Shelley and Shirley Jackson, and for their profound impact on the horror genre. - Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote…
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About this show
Since 2020, Friendly City Books has served as an independent bookstore and gathering space for book lovers in our hometown of Columbus, Mississippi. Here at Friendly City Books we read every genre, from romance to horror and everything in between, and so do our customers. We can’t stop professing our undying love of books to anyone who will listen. And now, through our podcasts, we hope to connect our local community with readers and authors around the world. Our team of enthusiastic book sellers and customers will be hosting book discussions, author interviews, and offering up some really awesome recommendations. We can’t wait to share our favorite books with you. Thank you for supporting Friendly City Books by listening to our podcast. Shop with us in store and online through bookshop.org, libro.fm, and friendlycitybooks.com/shop. Happy reading!
Hosted by
Friendly City Books