From the Front Porch

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats about her nonfiction recommendations for November. These books are perfect for giving to your favorite nonfiction reader this holiday season.

To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 607) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:

Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker

Famesick by Lena Dunham

Catch the Devil by Pamela Colloff

How to Be Less Useful: The Joy of Inefficiency by Priyanka Mattoo

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 Partita by Barbara Kingsolver.

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

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia share the November 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

Madeline McKnight Signs Off by Evan Brooke

The Shared Life of Egan and Lucian by Rose Smith

How to Be Less Useful: The Joy of Inefficiency by Priyanka Mattoo 

No Such Thing as Monday by Sian Hughes (November 10th, 2026) 

The Sleeper by Holly Seddon (November 17th, 2026)

Long Wave by Daisy Johnson (November 24th, 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 American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee. Erin is listening to The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth. 

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

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in October. You get 10% off your books when you order your the October 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:

October Reading Recap Bundle - $74

Children of the Wolf by Abbi Geni

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

The Rally by Carla Vass

Children of the Wolf by Abbi Geni

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson

Lane Being Lane by John Talty

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee

The Rally by Carla Vass

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 Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker.

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

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 Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.

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

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 Earth series by Ken Follett

Circle of Days

Armor of Night

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee

Shogun by James Clavell

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

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 Lane Being Lane by John Talty.

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.

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 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 Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson. 

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.

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)

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)

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver (October 6th, 2026)

Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (October 13th, 2026)

This is a Door by Daniel Nayeri (October 27th, 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 Children of the Wolf by Abby Geni. Olivia is reading Murmuration

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.

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 Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins

Old Lovegood Girls by Gail Godwin

 Returns & Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff

Switzy by Emma Cline

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 Trust Fall by Lynn Painter (September 29th, 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...Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, Gene Queens and Wendi Jenkins.

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.

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.