From the Front Porch

Latest Episodes:

Episode 604 || From the Front Porch Live From Reader Retreat Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a special treat: a recording of our live show from The Bookshelf’s September 2026 Reader Retreat! In this episode, Annie is joined by special guests, author Joshilyn Jackson, and Hunter and engage in a suspense/thriller fantasy draft with help from Ashley. Enjoy!

To purchase books by guest author Joshilyn Jackson, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 604), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Some Joshilyn Jackson titles:

Missing Sister

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 Phares, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Jospeh Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 603 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 29 Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

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 603) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app.

Amy:

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
I Thought It Would Be Better Than This by Jessica N. Turner
Splinters by Leslie Jamison
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle
Awake by Jen Hatmaker
With Teeth by Kristen Arnett
To the End edited by Morty Diamond

Mary Lynn:

Listen for the Lieby Amy Tintera
Small Great Thingsby Jodi Picoult (Hollow Bones)
True Bizby Sara Novic
The Foursomeby Christina Baker Kline
Enormous Wingsby Laurie Frankel
The Night We Lost Himby Lara Dave

Alison:

Pillars of the Earth series by Ken Follett

Circle of Days
Armor of Night
Pachinkoby Min Jin Lee
American Hagwonby Min Jin Lee
Shogunby James Clavell
Lonesome Doveby Larry McMurtry
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
The Shadow of the Windby Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
The Good Earthby Pearl S. Buck

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 Lane Being Laneby John Talty.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 602 || What Would Scully & Mulder Read? Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie is speculating what Scully & Mulder (from Fox show The X-Files) might read now, in 2026. If they walked into The Bookshelf, what books would Annie put into their hands? Or what books do we sell that they’ve already read and loved? (And, it’s no coincidence: These are also the books Annie would put into your hands, if you were looking for spooky season reads.) Here’s what Annie came up with:

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 602), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

The Essex Serpentby Sarah Perry
Children of the Wolf by Abby Geni
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Voyagers by Meg Charlton
Beings by Ilana Masad
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey
Devolution by Max Brooks
In the Woods They Wait by Carrie Lee South
There Used to Be People Here by Kennedy Cole (November 3rd, 2026)

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 Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 601 || New Release Rundown: October Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia share the October 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 601), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie’s books

The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires (October 6th, 2026)
Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry (October 6th, 2026)
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson (October 6th, 2026)

Olivia’s books

Trunk No. 3 by Allie Millington (October 20th, 2026)
Brittle Magic by Kate O’Shaughnessy (Oct. 20th)
The Killing of a Chestnut Tree by Oliver K Langmead (October 27th, 2026)

Erin’s books

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver (October 6th, 2026)
Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (October 13th, 2026)
This is a Door by Daniel Nayeri (October 27th, 2026)

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 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 Children of the Wolf by Abby Geni. Olivia is reading Murmuration
by TJ Klune (November 17th, 2026). Erin is listening to Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li (October 13th, 2026).

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 600 || Reading Recap: September Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in September. You get 10% off your books when you order your the September Reading Recap Bundle, which features a bundle of some of Annie’s favorite books she read this month.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 600), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

September Reading Recap Bundle - $81

The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff

Hollywood, Endingby John Green
- - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrowby Gabrielle Zevin
  - I’m Glad My Mom Diedby Jennette McCurdy
The Thoroughbreadsby Elin Hildebrand
- - The Academy
The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milfordby Nafissa Thompson-Spires
The Calamity Clubby Kathryn Stockett
The Three Graces of Peal Streetby Elizabeth Wellington Rollins
- - Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin
Returns & Exchangesby Kayla Rae Whitaker
The Only Plane in the Skyby Garrett M. Graff
Switzyby Emma Cline

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 Trust Fallby Lynn Painter (September 29th, 2026).

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 599 || Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley: Fall 2026 Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, it's an episode of Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley! Annie is joined by friend, cousin, and former colleague, Ashley Sherlock, to chat about what they’re reading – but also what they’re watching, listening to, and buying.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 599) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie reading:

● Bad Wordsby Rioghnach Robinson (October 6th, 2026)

● American Nightmareby Kelly McWilliams

● See You Next Tuesdayby Kate Staymon-London

Ashley reading:

● The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

● Whistler by Ann Patchett

● The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

● Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Snapson

Annie watching:

● Sterling Point

● Not Suitable for Work

● Ted Lasso

● One Night Only

● The Devil Wears Prada 2

Ashley watching:

● Voicemails for Isabelle

Annie listening to:

● The Amateurby Chris Bohjalian

● Gracie Abrams

● Olivia Rodrigo

● Noah Kahan

Ashley listening to:

● This Music May Contain Hope by Raye

● Monthly playlists

● Feel Good Piano

Annie buying:

● Football decor

Ashley buying:

● Writech pens

● Stickers

● Lunch at The Lost Kitchen

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 The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milfordby Nafissa Thompson-Spires. Ashley is reading Persuasion by Jane Austen.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 598 || Into the Backlist: Shine On, Bright and Dangerous Object Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a new episode of Into the Backlist! Today, Annie changes her focus from new releases to dive into the backlist: the books that came out years ago, the books that didn’t get enough attention, the books you may stumble upon while browsing in an indie bookstore like The Bookshelf.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 598) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Shine On, Bright and Dangerous Objectby Laurie Colwin

Other titles mentioned in the episode:

A Big Storm Knocked It Overby Laurie Colwin
Another Marvelous Thing by Laurie Colwin
Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin
Sandwichby Catherine Newman
Heartburnby Nora Ephron
Whistlerby Ann Patchett
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Musical Chairsby Amy Poeppel
Sweet Peaby Kit deWaal (November 3rd, 2026)
New Girl in Little Coveby Damhnait Monaghan
Lucy Carmichael by Margaret Kennedy
Glaciersby Alexis M. Smith
Heart the Loverby Lily King
Crossing to Safetyby Wallace Stegner

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 The Dog Stars by Peter Heller.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 597 || New Release Rundown: September Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia share the September 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 597), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Annie’s books

Body Language by Meg Howrey
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger
- The Wanderers and They're Going To Love You by Meg Howrey
See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London (Releases September 8th, 2026)
- One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
- Big Fan by Michael Schur and Joe Posnanski, The Hopefuls, Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess
American Nightmare by Kelly McWilliams (Releases September 15th, 2026)
- Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark

Olivia’s books

Under Story by Chloe Benjamin
The Secret to Belonging by Megan E Freeman (Releases September 15th, 2026)
Children of the Wolf by Abby Geni (Releases September 15th, 2026)

Erin’s books

Switzy by Emma Cline (Releases September 8th, 2026)
Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham (Releases September 8th, 2026)
The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker (Releases September 29th, 2026)

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 The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby
Cunningham (Releases September 15th, 2026). Olivia is reading Mars One by Charlotte Robinson. Erin is listening to Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

Episode 596 || Reading Recap: Summer Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved this summer. You get 10% off your books when you order your Summer Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie’s favorite books she read this summer.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 596), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Summer Reading Recap Bundle - $81

Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker
Wasp’s Nest by Kat Stoddard
The Amateur by Chris Bohjilihan

The Foursomeby Christina Baker Klein
- Audiobook narrated by Marin Ireland
Garden by the Seaby Mercé Rodoreda
- The Book of Gooseby Yiyum Li
The Fervent Whitesby De’Shawn Charles Winslow
- The Dinnerby Herman Kochand Little Fires Everywhereby Celese Ng
The Land and Its Peopleby David Sedaris
- Audiobook narrated by David Sedaris
Returns and Exchangesby Kayla Rae Whitaker
- Family of Originby CJ Hauserand Marrying the Ketchupsby Jennifer Close
Night Objectsby Eli Raphael
True Bizby Sara Novic
- Audiobook narrated by Lisa Flanagan & Kaleo Griffith
Wasp’s Nestby Kat Stoddard
The Amateurby Chris Bohjilihan
- Audiobook narrated by Melora Hardin

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 Switzyby Emma Cline (September 8th, 2026).

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

Our Executive Producers are...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

Episode 595 || Literary Therapy Vol. 28 Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 595) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app.

Lizzy:

The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocenceby Edith Wharton
The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
The Group by Mary McCarthy

Kate:

Literary westerns

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzales James
Outlawed by Anna North
God’s Country by Percival Everett
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain
The Plague of Doves and The Round House by Louise Erdrich
Close Range: Wyoming Stories by Annie Prioux
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
The Son by Philipp Meyer
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick Dewitt
The Dying Grass by William T. Vollman
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer

Rachel:

Books about Spain

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafòn
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
The Muse by Jessie Burton
Alberto’s Lost Birthday by Diana Rosie
Homage to Barcelona by Colm Toibin

Ellen:

Fantasy

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
The Bright Sword (Arthurian retelling) by Lev Grossman
Circe by Madeline Miller
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Romantasy:

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer l armentrout
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Lindsay: Literary palate cleansers

Humor/memoir

Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

Kid lit

Bloomabilityby Sharon Creech
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilerby E.L. Konigsburg
The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

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 Tendernessby Rowan Beaird.

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

Our Executive Producers are...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

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