Episode 603 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 29

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) Olivia’s books 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) Erin’s books 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 by TJ Klune (November 17th, 2026). Erin is listening to Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li (October 13th, 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, 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.

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.