Episode 595 || Literary Therapy Vol. 28

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This week on From the Front Porch, our Summer Readings series continues! 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 Rachel Beanland’s new book The Half Life. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off The Half Life this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 591) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Half Life by Rachael Beanland Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachael Beanland The House Is on Fire by Rachael Beanland The Women by Kristin Hannah Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson 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 Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia. 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.

This week on From the Front Porch, our Summer Readings series continues! 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 Jesmyn Ward’s latest book On Witness and Respair. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off On Witness and Respair this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 589) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson 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 Palm House by Gwendoline Riley. 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, our Summer Readings series is back! 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 Anna McCallie’s new book Abby Offsides. Use code SUMMERREADINGS at checkout to get 10% off Abby Offsides this week. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 589) or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Abby Offsides by Allie McCallie Conform by Ariel Sullivan Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithful Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell Play It Again by Georgia Clark Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes 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 Garden by the Sea by Mercé Rodoreda. 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 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.