From the Front Porch
Books & Literature
About
Welcome to From the Front Porch, a weekly conversational podcast on books, small business, and life in the South, produced by The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia.
Episodes
- Episode 580 || May 2026 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing their anticipated new book releases for May 2026. They share their top picks to help listeners build their "to be read" piles. Listeners can use a discount co…
- Episode 579 || April 2026 Reading Recap
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie recapping the books she read and enjoyed in April. She discusses various titles, some of which are part of an April Reading Recap bundle available for purchase.
- Episode 578 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 27
This episode of From the Front Porch features a "Literary Therapy" session where Annie, the host, addresses listener questions and provides book recommendations. Various books are mentioned during the segment.
- Episode 577 || From the Front Porch Live from Reader Retreat
This episode of From the Front Porch features a live recording from The Bookshelf’s March 2026 Reader Retreat. Annie and Hunter engage in a March Madness debate and play the Newlywed Game, discussing books such as "The Liar's Club" and "A…
- Episode 576 || What Would the March Sisters Read?
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie suggests modern books for the March sisters from Little Women. She provides recommendations tailored for Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, covering various genres and themes.
- Episode 575 || April 2026 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing new book releases from March 2026. They share titles and authors to help listeners find new books for their To Be Read pile.
- Episode 574 || March 2026 Reading Recap
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie recapping the books she read in March. Listeners can find information on how to purchase these books through The Bookshelf.
- Episode 573 || March Madness 2026 with Jordan Jones
Annie is joined by her husband and friend, Jordan, to debate books in a March Madness style competition. They discuss books such as "My Southern Kitchen" by Ivy Odom and "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes.
- Episode 572 || What Would Susie Read?
Annie and her mom, Susie, chat about book recommendations for readers with PG-13 tastes, featuring a list of titles mentioned in the episode. Listeners can find these books at The Bookshelf.
- Episode 571 || March 2026 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing new book releases for March 2026. They share their recommendations to help listeners build their reading lists.
- Episode 570 || February 2026 Reading Recap
Annie from From the Front Porch discusses the books she read in February, including "Kin" by Tayari Jones and "Man Overboard!" by Kathleen Rooney. A February Reading Recap bundle is available, featuring Annie’s favorite books from the mont…
- Episode 569 || Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley: Winter 2026
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie and Ashley share what they are reading, watching, listening to, and purchasing. Annie is reading Kin by Tayari Jones, and Ashley is reading Lit by Mary Karr and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- Episode 568 | The Bookshelf Recommends: 831 Stories
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Caroline, and Kyndall discussing novellas from publisher 831 Stories, with a focus on romance. They recommend specific titles such as "Big Fan," "Set Piece," and "Hardly Strangers."
- Episode 567 || February 2026 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing their anticipated new book releases for February 2026. They share various titles to help listeners with their reading lists.
- Episode 566 || January 2026 Reading Recap
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie discusses the books she read and enjoyed in January. She highlights titles such as "Stone Yard Devotional" by Charlotte Wood and "The Land in Winter" by Andrew Miller.
- Episode 565: Into the Backlist: Walking With Sam
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie dives into backlist books, focusing on titles that may have been overlooked. The discussion includes "Walking With Sam" by Andrew McCarthy.
- Episode 564 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 26
Annie from From the Front Porch hosts a Literary Therapy session, responding to listeners' reading questions and dilemmas. The episode discusses various books, which can be purchased through The Bookshelf.
- Episode 563 || What Would Jane Austen Read?
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie suggests modern books for Jane Austen, honoring her 250th birthday. Recommended titles include "Matrix" by Lauren Groff and "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett, available through The Bookshelf.
- Episode 562 || Unsung Books of 2025
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie discussing unsung books from 2025. She highlights titles such as Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel, Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood, and Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen.
- Episode 561 || Yes, Virginia
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie reading Francis P. Church’s 1897 response to the question, "Is there a Santa Claus?" The episode also delves into the history of the letter.
- Episode 560 || Best Books of the Year
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter share their top ten favorite books of 2025. They also discuss their favorite book picks for July. All discussed books can be purchased through The Bookshelf's website.
- Episode 559 || Staff's Favorite Books of the Year
On this episode of From the Front Porch, the staff of The Bookshelf discuss their favorite books from 2025, including titles like Wild Dark Shore, Life, & Death, & Giants, Water Moon, and Deep Cuts. The episode also mentions ways to purcha…
- Episode 558 || Annie Recommends: Holiday Reads
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie recommends a selection of holiday books. This podcast is a production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore.
- Episode 557 || November Reading Recap
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie recapping the books she read in November. She discusses titles like "Wreck," "The Land of Sweet Forever," and "Don Quixote." Listeners can purchase a bundle of the featured books.
- Episode 556 || Conquer a Classic 2026 Announcement
From the Front Porch announces the 2026 Conquer a Classic book club will focus on the works of Flannery O’Connor. Listeners can join the Patreon community to participate in discussions and access bonus content related to the book club.
- Episode 555 || Annie Recommends: Nonfiction
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie from The Bookshelf curates a selection of her favorite nonfiction reads. The episode highlights books such as "Cherished Belonging" by Gregory Boyle, "Awake" by Jen Hatmaker, and "Bone Valley"…
- Episode 554 || November 2025 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing new book releases for November 2025. They highlight several titles to help listeners build their reading lists.
- Episode 553 || October 2025 Reading Recap
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie discusses the books she read in August. She mentions titles such as "A Guardian and a Thief," "The Irish Goodbye," and "Fake Skating." Listeners can purchase a Reading Recap bundle featuring t…
- Episode 552 || From the Front Porch Live with Amy Poeppel
This episode of From the Front Porch features a live recording from The Bookshelf’s October Reader Retreat. Annie, Hunter, and Ashley are joined by author Amy Poeppel to draft literary and pop culture homes.
- Episode 551 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 25
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie hosts a Literary Therapy session. She addresses listeners' reading questions and dilemmas, discussing numerous book titles.
- Episode 550 || Annie Recommends: Spooky Reads
In this episode of "From the Front Porch," Annie from The Bookshelf recommends a selection of spooky books. She highlights titles such as "Granite Harbor," "Everyone is Lying to You," "Strangers in the Car," "Ring Shout," "Your Favorite Sc…
- Episode 549 || October 2025 New Release Rundown
Annie and Erin from From the Front Porch share their anticipated book releases for October 2025. They highlight several titles and provide a discount code for listeners to purchase or preorder these books from The Bookshelf.
- Episode 548 || September 2025 Reading Recap
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie discusses the books she read and enjoyed in August. She highlights titles such as "Your Favorite Scary Movie," "So Old, So Young," "Life, and Death, and Giants," and "Best Offer Wins."
- Episode 547 || Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley: Autumn
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie and Ashley discussing their current reads, watches, listens, and purchases. They recommend several books, including titles by Elin Hilderbrand and James Islington.
- Episode 546 || Into the Backlist: And the Sea Will Tell
This episode of "From the Front Porch" features Annie discussing Vincent Bugliosi's "And the Sea Will Tell" as part of the "Into the Backlist" series, highlighting books from independent bookstores. She also suggests other titles to read a…
- Episode 545 || September 2025 New Release Rundown
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie and Erin present their September 2025 new release recommendations. They also mention a discount code for book purchases and thank their sponsor, Discover Thomasville, which promotes local attr…
- Episode 544 || August 2025 Reading Recap
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie discusses the books she read and enjoyed in August. She highlights various titles, including "The Names" by Florence Knapp and "Three Days in June" by Anne Tyler.
- Episode 543 || Summer Readings: Poems We Love
On this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie presents a "Summer Readings" segment focusing on poetry. She reads excerpts from different collections, including "A Poem to Read Aloud Every Day of the Year" by Liz Ison and "And Yet: Poems"…
- Episode 542 || From the Archives: Favorite Books of All Time
This archived episode of "From the Front Porch" features Annie discussing her favorite books of all time from 2023. The episode mentions titles such as "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson, "A Place for Us" by Fatima Farheen Mirza, and "To Kill…
- Episode 541 || Summer Readings: A Marriage at Sea
In this "Summer Readings" episode of From the Front Porch, Annie discusses "A Marriage at Sea" by Sophie Elmhirst. She reads an excerpt from the book and provides details on where to purchase it.
- Episode 540 || From the Archives: Traveling through Books
This archived episode of From the Front Porch discusses the theme of traveling through books. The hosts mention several book titles related to this topic.
- Episode 539 || Summer Readings: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie introducing Leila Mottley's new book, The Girls Who Grew Big, as part of their Summer Readings series. Annie reads an excerpt from the book and provides purchasing information.
- Episode 538 || From the Archives: Audiobooks with Jordan Jones
This archived episode of From the Front Porch, originally from 2022, features a discussion about audiobooks with guest Jordan Jones. It includes audiobook recommendations for various titles.
- Episode 537 || Summer Readings: It's a Love Story
In this episode of the Summer Readings series from From the Front Porch, Annie reads an excerpt from Annabel Monaghan's rom-com, It's a Love Story. The episode also mentions where to purchase the featured books and how to support the podca…
- Episode 536 || Best Books of the Year (So Far) with Hunter Mclendon
Annie and Hunter Mclendon share their favorite books of the year so far, including their top ten lists and most anticipated releases. They also mention their first five-star reads and least favorite books.
- Episode 535 || What Would Susie Read
Annie and her mom, Susie, discuss book recommendations for readers with PG-13 tastes. They cover several book titles that are suitable for this audience.
- Episode 534 || Off the Shelf with Annie and Ashley: Summer 2025
Annie and Ashley, formerly Kids' Table, chat about their current reads, as well as what they’re watching, listening to, and buying. Books mentioned include "The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits" by Jennifer Weiner and "Sandwich" by Catherine…
- Episode 533 || Shop Dad Recommends
In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie is joined by her father, Chris, to discuss his reading life and favorite books. The conversation includes book recommendations ideal for Father's Day.
- Episode 532 || June 2025 New Release Rundown
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie, Erin, and Olivia discussing their anticipated new book releases for June 2025. They highlight books from various authors, including Susan Choi, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and S.A. Cosby, to he…
- Episode 531 || May 2025 Reading Recap
This episode of From the Front Porch features Annie recapping the books she read in May. She discusses "The Correspondent," "Sunrise on the Reaping," "The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits," and "Consider Yourself Kissed." Listeners can purch…