Sinopsis
Welcome to "From the Front Porch," a collection of conversations on books, small business, and life in the South. Each week, we share stories from the shop and happenings from our small town in South Georgia, all recorded from the comfort of Annie's front porch settled among the streets of downtown Thomasville. Follow along our adventures in store ownership, and eavesdrop into quirky conversations from our staff's day-to-day behind the counter. We'll introduce you to Thomasville's diverse cast of characters and share our favorite books of the season.
Episodios
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Episode 542 || From the Archives: Favorite Books of All Time
14/08/2025 Duración: 01h03minThis week on From the Front Porch, it’s another episode From the Archives! In this series, we’re sharing some of our favorite past episodes of the show while Annie is on maternity leave. Enjoy today’s episode about Annie’s favorite books of all time from 2023. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 542) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Libro.fm Bookshelf storefront Gilead by Marilynne Robinson A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee The Mothers by Brit Bennett The Road by Cormac McCarthy Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner Little Women by Louisa May Alcott An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott (unavailable to purchase) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Updated mentions since the podcast originally aired: Olive, Again by Elizabeth
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Episode 541 || Summer Readings: A Marriage at Sea
07/08/2025 Duración: 11minThis week on From the Front Porch, we have another episode of Summer Readings! 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 Sophie Elmhirst’s book A Marriage at Sea. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off A Marriage at Sea. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 541) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst 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 so
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Episode 540 || From the Archives: Traveling through Books
31/07/2025 Duración: 46minThis week on From the Front Porch, it’s another episode From the Archives! In this series, we’re sharing some of our favorite past episodes of the show while Annie is on maternity leave. Enjoy today’s episode about traveling through books. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 540) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Link to The Bookshelf's Libro.fm storefront Morgan Page's Substack, In Residence Morgan Page's podcast, That's The Spirit 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows Ordinary People by Diana Evans (unavailable for purchase) L’Appart by David Leibovitz (unavailable for purchase) The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard Morais The Vacationers by Emma Straub Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (unavailable for purchase) My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dill
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Episode 539 || Summer Readings: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley
24/07/2025 Duración: 13minThis week on From the Front Porch, we have another episode of Summer Readings! 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 Leila Mottley’s new book The Girls Who Grew Big. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off The Girls Who Grew Big and Nightcrawling this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 539) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley 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.
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Episode 538 || From the Archives: Audiobooks with Jordan Jones
17/07/2025 Duración: 57minThis week on From the Front Porch, it’s another episode From the Archives! In this series, we’re sharing some of our favorite past episodes of the show while Annie is on maternity leave. Enjoy today’s episode from 2022 all about audiobooks with beloved guest and Annie’s husband, Jordan Jones, just in time for road trip season. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 538) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's picks: Anna K by Jenny Lee, narrated by Jenna Ushkowitz (Libro.fm link) Falling by TJ Newman, narrated by Steven Weber (Libro.fm link) Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman, narrated by Kristen Sieh (Libro.fm link) Going There by Katie Couric, narrated by Katie Couric (Libro.fm link) How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, narrated by Kimberly Wetherell and Rossmery Almonte (Libro.fm link) Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett, narrated by Katie Schorr (Libro.fm link) River of the Gods by Candice
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Episode 537 || Summer Readings: It's a Love Story
10/07/2025 Duración: 14minThis week on From the Front Porch, we have a new episode series: Summer Readings! 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 the delightful Annabel Monaghan’s new rom-com It’s a Love Story. Use code SUMMERREADINGS to get 10% off It's a Love Story and all of Annabel's backlist titles this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 537) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: It's A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan 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
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Episode 536 || Best Books of the Year (So Far) with Hunter Mclendon
03/07/2025 Duración: 01h04minThis week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter discuss the best books of 2025 (so far)! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 536) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's books: First five-star read: Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld Most surprising: Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowo (releases August 5th) Least favorite: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins Next on your TBR: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley, The Names by Florence Knapp Most anticipated fall release: Same by Hannah Rosenberg (releases October 21st), Heart the Lover by Lily King (releases October 7th) Annie's Top Ten (So Far): 1. Tilt by Emma Pattee 2. Flashlight by Susan Choi 3. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 4. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li 5. Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld 6. Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks 7. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green 8. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie
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Episode 535 || What Would Susie Read
26/06/2025 Duración: 47minThis week on From the Front Porch, Annie is chatting with her mom, Susie, about books for readers with PG-13 tastes. You get 10% off the Susie-approved reads mentioned in this episode when you use code SHOPMOMSELECTS at checkout online and in-store! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 535), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care by Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker (unavailable to order) Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey The Correspondent by Virginia Evans One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino 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
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Episode 534 || Off the Shelf with Annie and Ashley: Summer 2025
19/06/2025 Duración: 54minThis week on From the Front Porch, it's an episode of Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley, formerly known as Kids' Table! It's the same banter and book talk you love with a fresh new name. 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 534) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's books: The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner Nine Lives by Dan Baum (unavailable to order) Ashley's books: Sandwich by Catherine Newman Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green The Wedding People by Alison Espach 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 purc
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Episode 533 || Shop Dad Recommends
12/06/2025 Duración: 48minThis 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
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Episode 532 || June 2025 New Release Rundown
05/06/2025 Duración: 54minThis 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 hap
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Episode 531 || May 2025 Reading Recap
29/05/2025 Duración: 29minThis 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
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Episode 530 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 24
22/05/2025 Duración: 51minThis 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 Ligh
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Episode 529 || Conquer a Classic Sneak Peek
15/05/2025 Duración: 01h01minThis 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: Buy your copy of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Buy your downloadable reading guide here. 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
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Episode 528: May New Release Rundown
08/05/2025 Duración: 46minThis 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 dai
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Episode 527 || April Reading Recap
01/05/2025 Duración: 28minThis 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
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Episode 526 || Ordinary Time: Behind the Scenes
24/04/2025 Duración: 46minThis 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
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Episode 525 || Ordinary Time Audiobook Preview
17/04/2025 Duración: 44minThis 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 epi
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Episode 524 || April New Release Rundown
10/04/2025 Duración: 54minThis 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
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Episode 523 || March Reading Recap
03/04/2025 Duración: 45minThis week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in March. You get 10% off your books when you order your March 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 523), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (releases June 3rd) Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson The Tell by Amy Griffin When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris (releases April 15th) Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Annie's March Reading Recap Bundle - $75 Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow