Episode 587 || What Would Susie Read?

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie and Hunter discuss the best books of 2026 (so far)! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 588) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie First five-star read: The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman Most surprising: Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen Least favorite: Man Overboard! By Kathleen Rooney (July 7th, 2026) and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Next on your TBR: June Baby by Shannon Garvey Most anticipated fall release: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (September 29th, 2026), Fair Ones by Lydia Millett (October 6th, 2026) Annie’s Top 10 1. Kin by Tayari Jones 2. Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin 3. Strangers by Belle Burden 4. The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman 5. The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 6. Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox 7. Whistler by Ann Patchett 8. Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer 9. Good People by Patmeena Shaw 10. This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman Hunter’s Top 10 1. Brawler by Lauren Groff 2. Whidbey by Kira Madden 3. Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg 4. Departures by Julian Barnes 5. Kin by Tayari Jones 6. Gunk by Saba Sams 7. My Dear You by Rachel Khong 8. Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novak 9. The Complex by Karan Mahajan 10. Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash 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 Shine On, Bright and Dangerous Object by Laurie Colwin. Hunter is reading Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer. 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...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats with her mom, Susie, about books for readers with PG-13 tastes. Use code SHOPMOMSELECTS at checkout online and in the store to get 10% off Susie’s favorite books! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 587) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Little Bookshop by the Harbor by Jean Stone The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter Jump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb Discernment by Henry Nouwen Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lende Ordinary Time - the Paperback with new essays by Annie B. Jones Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway More Things in Heaven and Earth by Jeff High Each Shining Hour by Jeff High A Poem to Read Aloud Every Day of the Year Edited by Liz Ison Wisdom from the Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben A Moment of Calm a Soothing Poem for every Day of the Year Edited by Ana Sampson Homecoming Meditations by Jessica Boston 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 Foursome by Christina Baker Kline. Shop Mom is reading Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey. 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...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, 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 586) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie is reading: ● Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox ● Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore ● The Shampoo Effect  by Jenny Jackson (out June 30) Ashley is reading: ● Brawler by Lauren Groff ● Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenburg ● Theo of Golden by Allen Levi ● Kin by Tayari Jones ● Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri ● The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos ● Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Annie is watching: ● Off Campus ● The Dark Wizard Ashley is watching: ● Love Story ● Company Retreat ● Her shark on Fahlo Annie listening to: ● The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline ● Mumford & Sons ● Noah Kahan ● Writing music Ashley listening to: ● Porch Light by Noah Kahan ● Begin Again by Mumford and Sons ● Sleepyhead by Young and Sick Annie buying: ● House stuff Ashley buying: ● Cotton Candy grapes 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 Fair Ones (out October 6) by Lydia Millet. Ashley is reading Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox. 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.

This 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 585) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Man No One Believed: The Untold Story of the Georgia Church Murders by Joshua Sharpe A Killer Wedding by Joan O'Leary Daikon by Samuel Hawley Running Deep by Tom Clavin James by Percival Everett Bone Valley: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida by Gilbert King Beartown by Fredrik Backman The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmond Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon So Far Gone by Jess Walter Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra All Carry by Gene Wojciechowski The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union by Daniel Squadron 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 This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page. Shop Dad is reading Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. 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.

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia share the June (and some July) 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 Whistler by Ann Patchett Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (June 9th, 2026) The Fervent Whites by De’Shawn Carles Winslow (June 9th, 2026) JULY PICK: The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (July 14th, 2026) Olivia’s books The Children by Melissa Albert The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Voyagers by Meg Charlton (June 16th, 2026) JULY PICK: The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier & Scott Westerfeld (July 21st, 2026) Erin’s books Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (June 2nd, 2026) Heather by Caitlin Mullen (June 9th, 2026) The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (June 30th, 2026) JULY PICK: Not with a Bang by Temi Oh (July 14th, 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 listening to Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. Olivia is reading The Final Chapter by C.B. Everett. Erin is listening to Heather by Caitlin Mullen. 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.

This 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 bundle. 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 583), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: May Reading Recap Bundle - $71 Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2nd, 2026) Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2nd, 2026) Go Gentle by Maria Semple Anywhere Else by Rachel Knox The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O’Connor Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand 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 listenting to The Other Florida by Gloria Jahoda (unavailable to order). 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.

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 582) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai In Memoriam by Alice Winn Heart the Lover by Lily King Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371 by MK Czerwiec How to Survive a Plague by David France A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara The Farewell Symphony by Edmund White And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts Just Kids by Patti Smith Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder Four Squares by Bobby Finger 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 listenting to Go Gentle by Maria Semple. 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.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie invites you to join our Conquer a Classic book club! It’s not too late. A Year With Flannery is a communal exploration of Georgia author Flannery O’Connor’s short stories (and novels). Listen to learn how to join our From the Front Porch Patreon Conquer a Classic book club (you’ll also find details below). To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 581) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: From the Front Porch Patreon Conquer a Classic 2026 Collection The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor Conquer a Classic 2026 Bundle This bundle includes The Complete Stories The Violent Bear it Away Wise Blood Mystery & Manners: Occasional Prose Now is a great time to join the From the Front Porch Patreon community and our Conquer a Classic Book Club. One perk of being a Patreon member is being a part of our super-popular, year-long Conquer a Classic book club! Each year, Annie and Hunter select a classic book and read it with our Patreon community over the course of the year.  Join our Conquer a Classic book club:  Step 1. Join the Patreon here. You’ll unlock bonus episodes of the podcast where Annie and Hunter discuss Flannery’s works, plus discussion forums with other Conquer a Classic book club members. Step 2. Buy your copy of THE COMPLETE STORIES or your Conquer a Classic bundle here. Your order will include an exclusive reading guide and bookmark.  On Patreon, you can choose from two different tiers to join our Conquer a Classic book club:  For $5/month, you get:  Monthly Conquer a Classic recap episodes with Annie and Hunter for THE COMPLETE STORIES Monthly Porch Visits on Zoom with Annie For $20/month, you get:  Monthly Conquer a Classic recap episodes with Annie and Hunter for THE COMPLETE STORIES Monthly Porch Visits on Zoom with Annie Quarterly book club conversations about O’Connor’s books: WISE BLOOD, THE VIOLENT BEAR IT AWAY, and MYSTERY AND MANNERS Biannual movie recap episodes with Annie and Hunter: FLANNERY (2019) and WILDCAT (2023) 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 A Guide to Open Water Lifesaving by Virginia Eubanks (out August 11). 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.

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s a New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia share 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 580), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's books: Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester (May 5th, 2026) Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick (May 26th, 2026) Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (May 26th, 2026) Olivia's books: Five by Ilona Bannister (May 5th, 2026) Young World by Soman Chainani (May 5th, 2026) Night Objects by Eli Raphael (May 26th, 2026) Erin's books: Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel (May 5th, 2026) The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline (May 12th, 2026) Babylon, South Dakota by Tom Lin (May 26th, 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 Whistler by Ann Patchett. Olivia is reading The Mortons by Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbalestier. Erin is listening to Into the Blue by Emma Brodie 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...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.

This 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 bundle. 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 579), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (releases June 9) Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (releases June 30) Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (releases June 2) Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (releases August 4) The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai Make Nice by Ryan Effgen (releases July 14) Famesick by Lena Dunham The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (releases July 14) Judy Blume by Mark Oppenheimer   April Reading Recap Bundle  - $76 Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney  The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai   Judy Blume by Mark Oppenheimer   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 Monster of a Land by Lauren Hough. 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...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.