From the Front Porch

The Bookshelf Thomasville

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.

  1. 2 days ago

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

    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  ● 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    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 listening to The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires. Ashley is reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. 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, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

  2. 10 Sept

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

    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 M. Smith Heart the Lover by Lily King Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner 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 Dog Stars by Peter Heller. 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, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

  3. 3 Sept

    Episode 597 || New Release Rundown: September

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

  4. 27 Aug

    Episode 596 || Reading Recap: Summer

    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 Jennifer Close Night Objects by Eli Raphael True Biz by Sara Novic Audiobook narrated by Lisa Flanagan & Kaleo Griffith Wasp’s Nest by Kat Stoddard The Amateur by Chris Bohjilihan  Audiobook narrated by Melora Hardin 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 Switzy by Emma Cline (September 8th, 2026). 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...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

  5. 20 Aug

    Episode 595 || Literary Therapy Vol. 28

    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 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 Bloomability by Sharon Creech From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk 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 Tenderness by Rowan Beaird. 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...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

  6. 13 Aug

    Episode 594 || What Would Rory Gilmore Read?

    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 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 Last Days of Vic and Coco (March 2, 2027) by Taylor Jenkins Reid.  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...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

  7. 6 Aug

    Episode 593 || August 2026 New Release Rundown

    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 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 Wasp’s Nest by Kat Stoddard. Erin is listening to Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman. 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...Joseph Shorter IV, Beth, Jammie Treadwell, Kimberly, Gene Queens, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins and Cammy Tidwell.

  8. 30 Jul

    Episode 592 || Summer Readings: Villa Coco

    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 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 Little Friend by Donna Tartt. 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, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Martha, and Wendi Jenkins.

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.

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