From the Front Porch: Episode 509 – Best Books of the Year with Hunter McClendon

Release Date: December 26, 2024
Host: Annie Jones
Guest: Hunter McClendon
Produced by: The Bookshelf Thomasville, Georgia

Introduction

In Episode 509 of From the Front Porch, host Annie Jones welcomes her friend Hunter McClendon to discuss their favorite books of 2024. This episode serves as a year-end reflection on their reading journeys, revisiting mid-year picks and introducing new favorites that defined their literary experiences. The conversation dives deep into diverse genres, personal connections to the books, and the impact these reads had on their lives.

Reflecting on the Year’s Reading Life

• Annie Jones [02:38]: Annie opens the discussion by sharing her struggles with finishing books throughout the year, highlighting the emotional and professional highs and lows she experienced.

• Hunter McClendon [02:38]: Hunter humorously notes that his two favorite books of the year were actually released in the following year, hinting at even bigger reads to come in 2025.

Top 10 Favorite Books of 2024

Annie and Hunter each present their top 10 books, providing insightful commentary on why these selections stood out.

Annie Jones’ Top 10:

1. James by Percival Everett
2. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
3. Even After Everything by Stephanie Duncan Smith
4. The Barn by Wright Thompson
5. Colored Television by Danzy Senna
6. Clear by Carys Davies
7. Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle
8. Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
9. We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons
10. Grief is for People by Sloan Crosley

Hunter McClendon’s Top 10:

1. James by Percival Everett
2. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
3. We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons
4. Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
5. Colored Television by Danzy Senna
6. Ombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez
7. All Fours by Miranda July
8. Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle
9. In Tongues by Thomas Grattan
10. Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Note: Both hosts ranked James by Percival Everett as their number one choice, showcasing its profound impact.

In-Depth Book Discussions

1. James by Percival Everett

• Annie [50:19]: Describes “James” as a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective, highlighting its humor and subversive take on the classic adventure story.

• Hunter [51:54]: Praises Everett’s ability to blend humor with profound themes, emphasizing that “James” is a must-read that reimagines a beloved classic in a fresh, engaging way.

  Annie Jones [50:19]: "I think it's an easy one to hand sell. I think I included it in our holiday gift guide because I was like, this is a great book. And to me, it is the book of the year as far as I'm concerned."

2. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

• Annie [46:42]: Expresses her admiration for Strout’s portrayal of platonic friendships, comparing it to characters from Fleabag but with a unique depth and tenderness.

• Hunter [43:27]: Agrees, noting the book’s ability to delve into complex relationships with warmth and authenticity.

  Annie Jones [46:42]: "It feels like I would know. And I don't know if that's because of my small town life and my small town existence, but she writes about neighbors in a way that I think is deeply moving."

3. Even After Everything by Stephanie Duncan Smith

• Annie [39:07]: Describes this memoir as a poignant exploration of pregnancy loss intertwined with the rhythms of the Christian liturgical calendar, praising its exquisite writing and emotional depth.

• Hunter [43:20]: Confirms Annie’s high recommendation, believing Hunter would appreciate the book’s tender portrayal of human experience.

  Annie Jones [39:07]: "The writing is exquisite. It's the kind of book I wish I had written. I really, really loved it."

4. The Barn by Wright Thompson

• Annie [34:28]: Highlights this nonfiction work as a comprehensive history of the Mississippi Delta and the murder of Emmett Till, commending its accessibility and thorough research.

• Hunter [36:50]: Finds the book intriguing and aligns with his appreciation for deeply researched historical narratives.

  Annie Jones [34:28]: "It is a stunning work of nonfiction. It's extremely well researched while also being very accessible, very readable."

5. Colored Television by Danzy Senna

• Hunter [31:50]: Recounts how this book pulled him out of a reading slump, describing it as a smart and page-turning story about artistic ambition and personal drama.

• Annie [32:17]: Agrees, likening it to other art-centric novels and praising its exploration of jealousy and creation.

  Hunter McClendon [31:50]: "I thought it was such a great combination of smart and page-turning story."

6. Clear by Carys Davies

• Annie [23:06]: Praises the novel’s beautiful writing and its exploration of isolation and human connection on a remote Scottish island.

• Hunter [25:26]: Adds appreciation for the book’s creative narrative structure and character development.

  Annie Jones [23:06]: "It is really creative and thoughtful."

7. Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle

• Hunter [18:30]: Describes this novel as an underappreciated gem with well-written characters and an engaging structure, comparing it to works by Julia Armfield and Megan Abbott.

• Annie [19:40]: Applauds the book’s originality and the seamless integration of themes like girlhood and athleticism.

  Hunter McClendon [18:30]: "It's so well written. I loved the structure of it."

8. Martyr by Kaveh Akbar

• Annie [16:36]: Celebrates this literary fiction piece for its poetic prose and profound exploration of sobriety and loss.

• Hunter [18:15]: Appreciates the portrayal of friendship and complex character motivations within the narrative.

  Annie Jones [16:36]: "It is one of the most well-written books I read this year."

9. We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons

• Hunter [43:35]: Compares this novel to a southern version of Fleabag, lauding its humorous yet profound take on grief and motherhood.

• Annie [44:04]: Echoes Hunter’s sentiments, emphasizing the book’s accessible yet deeply moving narrative.

  Hunter McClendon [43:35]: "She has such a deep understanding of grief in a way that is just very moving and very profound."

10. Grief is for People by Sloan Crosley

• Annie [10:00]: Reflects on this book’s unique focus on the loss of a friend, praising its tender exploration of grief and friendship.

• Hunter [08:22]: Expresses curiosity about incorporating this title into his own reading list, acknowledging its emotional resonance.

  Annie Jones [10:00]: "I do think I will remember their friendship and remember her grief."

Honorable Mentions and Additional Insights

• Annie’s Reflection: Annie shares her mid-year top 10 list from July, noting significant changes and the influence of recency bias on her initial selections.

• Hunter’s Recommendations: Hunter hints at his upcoming favorites for 2025, signaling exciting reads ahead, including titles like Audition and Ordinary Time.

• Personal Connections: Both hosts intertwine their personal experiences and emotional journeys with their reading choices, highlighting how literature serves as a reflection and support system during challenging times.

Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Annie and Hunter express gratitude for the shared literary journey of 2024, anticipating the emergence of new favorites in the coming year. They encourage listeners to explore their selections, emphasizing the transformative power of books in understanding oneself and the world.

• Annie [56:00]: Announces her next read, Play World by Adam Ross, while Hunter mentions diving into The Antidote by Karen Russell, setting the stage for future discussions.

• Parting Words: Annie extends warm wishes for the New Year, expressing hope for peace, kindness, and a year filled with exceptional books.

  Annie Jones [56:00]: "Happy New Year, everyone. May 2025 be peaceful and kind and kind to you. And may it be filled with really good books."

Additional Information

• Support and Engagement: Annie encourages listeners to leave reviews on Apple Podcasts and support the podcast via Patreon, highlighting the benefits of each support tier.

• Podcast Access: All books discussed can be purchased through The Bookshelf’s online store at bookshelfthomasville.com, and full transcripts are available at fromthefrontporchpodcast.com.

• Credits: Special thanks to Studio D Podcast Production and the executive producers who support From the Front Porch.

This episode of From the Front Porch offers a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of the books that shaped Annie and Hunter’s 2024 reading experiences. Through engaging dialogue and personal anecdotes, listeners gain valuable insights into each book’s significance, making this a must-listen for book enthusiasts looking to discover impactful reads for the coming year.