Episodios

  • Episode 542 || From the Archives: Favorite Books of All Time
    Aug 14 2025

    This 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 Strout

    Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

    James by Percival Everett

    Matrix by Lauren Groff

    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 The Eights by Joanna Miller.

    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.

    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
  • Episode 541 || Summer Readings: A Marriage at Sea
    Aug 7 2025

    This 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 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 Eights by Joanna Miller.

    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.

    Más Menos
    12 m
  • Episode 540 || From the Archives: Traveling through Books
    Jul 31 2025

    This 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 Dillard

    The Next Great Jane by KJ Going (unavailable for purchase)

    Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

    Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

    Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

    The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

    Tangerine by Christine Mangan (unavailable for purchase)

    Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

    Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Malloy (unavailable for purchase)

    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 The Names by Florence Knapp.

    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.

    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Episode 539 || Summer Readings: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley
    Jul 24 2025

    This 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.

    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 Secret History of the Rape Kit by Ragan Kennedy.

    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.

    Más Menos
    13 m
  • Episode 538 || From the Archives: Audiobooks with Jordan Jones
    Jul 17 2025
    This 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 Millard, narrated by Paul Michael (Libro.fm link) Taste by Stanley Tucci, narrated by Stanley Tucci (Libro.fm link) Upgrade by Blake Crouch, narrated by Henry Leyva (Libro.fm link) The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson, narrated by Casey Wilson (Libro.fm link) You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar, narrated by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar (Libro.fm link) Jordan's picks: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis (Libro.fm link) The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, narrated by Jeff Woodman (Libro.fm link) Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) Defending Jacob by William Landay, narrated by Grover Gardner (Libro.fm link) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, with multiple narrators (Libro.fm link) Furious Hours by Casey Cep, narrated by Hillary Huber (Libro.fm link) Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, narrated by Daniel Nayeri (Libro.fm link) Death Is But a Dream by Christopher Kerr, narrated by Fred Sanders (Libro.fm link) The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe, narrated by Tom Parks (Libro.fm link) 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 The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner, narrated by Dakota Fanning (Libro.fm link). 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.
    Más Menos
    57 m
  • Episode 537 || Summer Readings: It's a Love Story
    Jul 10 2025

    This 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 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 One Last Summer by Kate Spencer.

    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.

    Más Menos
    15 m
  • Episode 536 || Best Books of the Year (So Far) with Hunter Mclendon
    Jul 3 2025
    This 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 Hartnett 9. Lucky Night by Eliza Kennedy 10. Playworld by Adam Ross Hunter's books: First five-star read: Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett Most surprising: Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino Least favorite: When The Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris Next on your TBR: Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley Hunter's Top Ten (So Far): 1 Audition by Katie Kitamura 2. Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones 3. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett 4. Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez 5. Among Friends by Hal Ebbott 6. The Wilderness by Angela Flourney (releases September 16th) 7. Open Heaven by Sean Hewitt 8. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 9. Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico 10. Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino 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 A Change of Habit by Sister Monica Clare. Hunter is reading The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. 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.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 5 m
  • Episode 535 || What Would Susie Read
    Jun 26 2025

    This 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 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 It's A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Susie is reading Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.

    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.

    Más Menos
    47 m