From The Front Porch

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 With My Little Eye God In Alabama Never Have I Ever 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 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 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 Lie by Amy Tintera Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (Hollow Bones) True Biz by Sara Novic The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel The Night We Lost Him by Lara Dave  Alison: Pillars of the Ea

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 Serpent by 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) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independe

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, 20

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, Ending by John Green Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy The Thoroughbreads by Elin Hildebrand            The Academy   The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett The Three Graces of Peal

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 Words by Rioghnach Robinson ​(October 6th, 2026) ● American Nightmare by Kelly McWilliams  ● See You Next Tuesday by 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 Amateur by Chris Bohjalian ● Gracie Abrams  ● Olivia Rodrigo

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 Object by Laurie Colwin Other titles mentioned in the episode: A Big Storm Knocked It Over by Laurie Colwin Another Marvelous Thing by Laurie Colwin Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin Sandwich by Catherine Newman Heartburn by Nora Ephron Whistler by Ann Patchett Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel Sweet Pea by Kit deWaal (November 3rd, 2026) New Girl in Little Cove by Damhnait Monaghan Lucy Carmichael by Margaret Kennedy Glaciers by Alexis

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 Benj

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 Foursome by Christina Baker Klein Audiobook narrated by Marin Ireland Garden by the Sea by Mercé Rodoreda  The Book of Goose by Yiyum Li The Fervent Whites by De’Shawn Charles Winslow The Dinner by Herman Koch and Little Fires Everywhere by Celese Ng The Land and Its People by David Sedaris Audiobook narrated by David Sedaris  Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker Family of Origin by CJ Hauser and Marrying the Ketchups by Jenni

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 595) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app. Lizzy: The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocence by 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 R

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie is speculating what Rory Gilmore (from WB/CW show Gilmore Girls) might read now, in 2026. If she walked into The Bookshelf, what books would Annie put into her hands? Or what books do we sell that she’s already read and loved? Dysfunctional family lit? Reimaginings of her favorite classics? Books about quirky small towns and their inhabitants? 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 594), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: James by Percival Everett SPQR by Mary Beard Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood  The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri Audition by Katie Kitamura 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 b

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie and Erin share the August 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 584), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie’s books Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (August 6th, 2026) A Tender Age by Chang-Rae Lee (August 11th, 2026) Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias (August 25th, 2026) Erin’s books Etna by Paul Yoon Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty Kitten by Stacey Yu  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 sto

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie wraps up our Summer Readings series! In this series, Annie introduces you to one book you should read this summer by reading an excerpt (with permission from publishers). Today, Annie reads a passage from Andrew Sean Greer’s new book Villa Coco. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off Villa Coco this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 592) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer Less by Andrew Sean Greer A Room with a View by E.M. Forster The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani 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 c

This week on From the Front Porch, our Summer Readings series continues! In this series, Annie introduces you to one book you should read this summer by reading an excerpt (with permission from publishers). Today, Annie reads a passage from Rachel Beanland’s new book The Half Life. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off The Half Life this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 591) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Half Life by Rachael Beanland Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachael Beanland The House Is on Fire by Rachael Beanland The Women by Kristin Hannah Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson 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

This week on From the Front Porch, our Summer Readings series continues! In this series, Annie introduces you to one book you should read this summer by reading an excerpt (with permission from publishers). Today, Annie reads a passage from Jesmyn Ward’s latest book On Witness and Respair. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off On Witness and Respair this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 589) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson 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 transcrip

This week on From the Front Porch, our Summer Readings series is back! In this series, Annie introduces you to one book you should read this summer by reading an excerpt (with permission from publishers). Today, Annie reads a passage from Anna McCallie’s new book Abby Offsides. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off Abby Offsides this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 589) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Abby Offsides by Allie McCallie Conform by Ariel Sullivan Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithful Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell Play It Again by Georgia Clark Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes 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 sto

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter discuss the best books of 2026 (so far)! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 588) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie First five-star read: The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman Most surprising: Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen Least favorite: Man Overboard! By Kathleen Rooney (July 7th, 2026) and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Next on your TBR: June Baby by Shannon Garvey Most anticipated fall release: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (September 29th, 2026), Fair Ones by Lydia Millett (October 6th, 2026) Annie’s Top 10 1. Kin by Tayari Jones 2. Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin 3. Strangers by Belle Burden 4. The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman 5. The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 6. Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox 7. Whistler by Ann Patchett 8. Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer 9. Good People

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats with her mom, Susie, about books for readers with PG-13 tastes. Use code SHOPMOMSELECTS at checkout online and in the store to get 10% off Susie’s favorite books! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 587) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Little Bookshop by the Harbor by Jean Stone The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter Jump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb Discernment by Henry Nouwen Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lende Ordinary Time - the Paperback with new essays by Annie B. Jones Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway More Things in Heaven and Earth by Jeff High Each Shining Hour by Jeff High A Poem to Read Aloud Every Day of the Year Edited by Liz Ison Wisdom from the Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben A Moment of Calm a Soothing Poem for every Day of the Year Edited by Ana Sampson Homecoming Meditations by Jessica Boston Fr

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 586) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie is reading: ● Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox ● Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore ● The Shampoo Effect  by Jenny Jackson (out June 30) Ashley is reading: ● Brawler by Lauren Groff ● Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenburg ● Theo of Golden by Allen Levi ● Kin by Tayari Jones ● Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri ● The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos ● Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Annie is watching: ● Off Campus ● The Dark Wizard Ashley is watching: ● Love Story ● Company Retreat ● Her shark on Fahlo Annie lis

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 585) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Man No One Believed: The Untold Story of the Georgia Church Murders by Joshua Sharpe A Killer Wedding by Joan O'Leary Daikon by Samuel Hawley Running Deep by Tom Clavin James by Percival Everett Bone Valley: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida by Gilbert King Beartown by Fredrik Backman The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmond Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon So Far Gone by Jess Walter Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra All Carry by Gene Wojciechowski The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Sav