From the Front Porch

Episode 533 || Shop Dad Recommends

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie is joined by her actual dad and The Bookshelf’s Shop Dad, Chris! Annie and Chris chat about his reading life and some of his favorite books in honor of Father’s Day. These books are perfect for giving to your own dad or anyone who’s been there for you like a dad.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 533) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing

Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor
Bandit Heaven by Tom Clarin
Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones
To the Linksland by Michael Bamberger
John Lewis by David Greenberg
The Barn by Wright Thompson
Munichs by David Peace
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Taking Manhattan by Russell Shorto

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading We Loved to Run by Stephanie Reents.  Shop Dad Chris is reading The Man No One Believed by Joshua Sharpe.  

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 532 || June 2025 New Release Rundown

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the June releases they’re excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order!

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 532) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie's books:

Flashlight  by Susan Choi (6/3)
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (6/3)
Among Friends by Hal Ebbott (6/24)

Olivia's books:

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (6/3)
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby (6/10)
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick (6/17)

Erin's books:

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch (6/3)
Kakigori Summer by Emily Itami (6/10)
Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess (6/10)

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading Audition by Katie Kitamura.  Olivia is reading The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell.  Erin is listening to Audition by Katie Kitamura.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 531 || May 2025 Reading Recap

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in May. You get 10% off your books when you order your May Reading Recap. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie’s favorite books she read that month.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 531), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Annie's May Reading Recap Bundle - $83.00

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley

Adult Summer Reading Postcard Pack

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is listening to A Change of Habit by Sister Monica Clare.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 530 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 24

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 leave us a voicemail here.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 530) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Melinda's voicemail:

Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
Games & Rituals by Katherine Heiny (unavailable to order)
Heating & Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly (unavailable to order)
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lende
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Here for It by R. Eric Thomas
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

Jessica's voicemail:

Tim Johnston
Stuart Turton
Andy Weir
Jeff Vandermeer
Peng Shepherd
Devolution by Max Brooks
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch
The Fold by Peter Clines (unavailable to order)
How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe by Charles Yu
Emily St. John Mandel

Hailey's voicemail:

The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
Brood by Jackie Polzin (unavailable to order)
Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin (unavailable to order)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honore
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet

Talia's voicemail:

Lady MacBeth by Ava Reid

Hide by Kiersten White

Lucy, Undying by Kiersten White

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is listening to Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 529 || Conquer a Classic Sneak Peek

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a special treat for you: a Conquer a Classic sneak peek! Conquer a Classic is the From the Front Porch Patreon’s year-long book club where Annie, Hunter, and our Patreon community tackle a classic novel together month by month.

Our pick for 2025 is the first modern novel: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Today’s episode gives you a sneak peek of our Conquer a Classic bonus episodes on Patreon.

It’s not too late to join us! Here’s how to join our Conquer a Classic book club:

1. Buy your copy of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

2. Buy your downloadable reading guide here.

3. Join Patreon to unlock bonus episodes with Annie and Hunter.

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading Sleep by Honor Jones.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 528: May New Release Rundown

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the May releases they’re excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order!

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 528) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie's books:

Poetry is Not a Luxury by Anonymous (5/6)

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (5/6)

Sleep by Honor Jones (5/13)

Olivia's books:

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks (5/6)

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson (5/13)

The Ascent by Allison Buccola (5/20)

Erin's books:

The Names by Florence Knapp (5/6)

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (5/13)

The Love Haters by Katherine Center (5/20)

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.  Olivia is reading King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby.  Erin is listening to The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 527 || April Reading Recap

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in April. You get 10% off your books when you order your April Reading Recap. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie’s favorite books she read that month.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 527), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst (releases 7/8)

Flashlight by Susan Choi (releases 6/3)
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (releases 5/20)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

April Reading Recap Pairing - $50

Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading Expecting Better by Emily Oster.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 526 || Ordinary Time: Behind the Scenes

This week on From the Front Porch, we’re celebrating the release of Annie B. Jones’ debut book, Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put! Listen to today’s episode for a behind the scenes look at all things Ordinary Time.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 526), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (physical copy)

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (audiobook)

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 525 || Ordinary Time Audiobook Preview

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a treat for you: an Ordinary Time audiobook preview! Annie B. Jones’ debut book, Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put, releases on Tuesday, April 22.

When you preorder a physical copy of Ordinary Time from The Bookshelf, you get the audiobook FREE courtesy of Libro.fm. Preorder a physical copy of Ordinary Time and receive a FREE code for the audiobook here.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 525), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (physical copy, FREE audiobook with purchase)

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (audiobook only)

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Episode 524 || April New Release Rundown

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the April releases they’re excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order!

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 524), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie's books:

Passion Project by London Sperry (4/8)

When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris (4/15)

Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones (4/22)

Olivia's books:

Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake (4/1)
Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan (4/15)
The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner (4/29)

Erin's books:

A Change of Habit by Sister Monica Clare (4/29)
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner (4/29)
The Eights by Joanna Miller (4/15)

From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com. 

A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here.

Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. 

This week, Annie is reading Annie is reading Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.  Olivia is reading Candle Island by Lauren Wolk.  Erin is listening to Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.

We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.