Episode Summary: From the Front Porch - Episode 512 || Literary Therapy, Vol. 23

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Host: Annie Jones, Owner of The Bookshelf, Thomasville

Overview

In Episode 512 of From the Front Porch, host Annie Jones delves into the segment titled "Literary Therapy, Vol. 23," where she addresses listener-submitted reading dilemmas. The episode focuses on challenges readers face in maintaining their reading habits, setting achievable goals, and finding books that resonate during different life stages. Through personalized advice and thoughtful recommendations, Annie offers strategies to help listeners overcome their literary obstacles.

Listener Segments

1. Kim's Reading Goal Challenge
   Timestamp: [04:22]
   Dilemma: Kim from Central Illinois shared her struggle with meeting her reading goals in 2024. Although she enjoyed numerous five-star books recommended by Annie, she found herself abandoning subsequent reads that didn't immediately captivate her, fearing they'd never match the quality of her recent favorites.

   Annie's Advice:
   Annie commends Kim for her discerning taste and suggests shifting from numeric reading goals to more flexible reading challenges. She recommends:

   • Reading Challenges: Utilize book bingo cards or create thematic lists to diversify reading without the pressure of numbers.
   • Closing Rituals: After finishing a five-star book, engage in a "closing ceremony" such as jotting down favorite quotes or writing reviews to honor the book and ease the transition to the next read.
   • Genre Rotation: Alternate between different genres to reset expectations and maintain enthusiasm.

   Notable Quote:
   "Quality over quantity... Sometimes you just want to read. It has nothing to do with numeric goals and it just has to do with not being in a reading slump."
   — Annie Jones [10:15]

2. Stephanie's Reading Slump During Pregnancy
   Timestamp: [14:39]
   Dilemma: Stephanie from Richmond, Virginia, is in her second trimester and experiencing a reading slump. The holiday-themed rom-coms she's been reading are losing their appeal post-holidays, and she's seeking recommendations for light, easy, and fun books that align with her love for family dramas and thrillers.

   Annie's Recommendations:

   • Romantic Comedies:
     • Play for Me by Libby Hubsher
     • A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin
     • Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
   • Women's Fiction:
     • Begin Again by Helly Acton
   • Family Fiction:
     • Limelight or Musical Chairs by Amy Papel
   • Nonfiction:
     • The Life Council by Laura Tremain

   Notable Quote:
   "I did read it as an arc... It's deeply thought-provoking, but also wildly funny and definitely dabbled in romance a little bit."
   — Annie Jones [16:20]

3. Kate's Search for Feel-Good Literary Fiction
   Timestamp: [23:31]
   Dilemma: Kate from Wichita, Kansas, a new mother with a seven-month-old, desires literary fiction that avoids distressing themes related to children or parenting. She's seeking under-the-radar, feel-good picks similar to The Wedding People or Logger Queens of Minnesota.

   Annie's Recommendations:

   • Slow Dance by Rainbow Roll
   • The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman
   • If We're Being Honest by Kat Shook
   • You See Us by Bali Kaur Jaswal
   • The Best of Everything by Rhona Jaffe
   • Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lynd

   Notable Quote:
   "These people are so messy, but in the best possible way. It held my attention."
   — Annie Jones [25:45]

4. Lauren's Challenge in Finding a Book for Her Non-Reader Husband
   Timestamp: [34:21]
   Dilemma: Lauren from Hoover, Alabama, seeks a book recommendation for her husband, who isn't inherently a reader. He's enjoyed the Matthew Perry memoir and The Big Bang Theory oral history but feels overwhelmed by the prospect of diving into a lengthy series like Harry Potter.

   Annie's Recommendations:

   • Live from New York: The Complete Oral History of Saturday Night Live by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
   • A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
   • I'll Be There for You by Kelsey Miller Ashley
   • The Office Oral History by Andy Green
   • Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
   • Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

   Notable Quote:
   "Leaning into what they already like... sometimes we don't let kids like what they want to. Let grownups be into what they like."
   — Annie Jones [37:10]

5. Keely's Search for Quick-Read Books Amidst Motherhood
   Timestamp: [40:26]
   Dilemma: Keely from Atlanta, Georgia, a new mother, finds herself in a reading rut since her son's birth. She seeks books that are fast-paced, easy to start, have short chapters, and feature memorable plots to accommodate her busy schedule.

   Annie's Recommendations:

   • The Frozen River by Ariel Lahan
   • All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
   • Kill Show by Daniel Swearin Becker
   • The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
   • The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
   • Leaving by Roxanna Robinson

   Notable Quote:
   "A book that you can easily pick up and put down is helpful."
   — Annie Jones [42:00]

6. Jayla's Concern About Maintaining Reading During Bar Exam Preparation
   Timestamp: [47:53]
   Dilemma: Jayla from Sylacauga, Alabama, is preparing for the February 2025 bar exam and fears that her intensive study schedule will hinder her reading life.

   Annie's Recommendations:

   • It Was an Ugly Couch by Elizabeth Passarella
   • Nobody Will Tell You by Bess Kalb
   • Essay Collections:
     • Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella
     • Congratulations by R. Eric Thomas
   • Audiobooks:
     • From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
     • Taste by Stanley Tucci
     • I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

   Notable Quote:
   "Mixing up how you read the formats in which you read... audiobooks are a great way to give your eyes a rest."
   — Annie Jones [50:15]

7. Becca's Struggle to Reduce Unread Books on Her Shelf
   Timestamp: [54:26]
   Dilemma: Becca from Southern Maryland aimed to end 2024 with fewer unread books on her TBR shelf but struggled to achieve this goal, often opting for new library picks over her existing collection.

   Annie's Strategies:

   • Unread Shelf Project: Designate a specific shelf for unread books and commit to reading books from this collection first.
   • Reward Mechanism: Use library browsing as a reward after completing books from the unread shelf.
   • Maintain a Running List: Keep a digital list of desired reads to avoid impulse acquisitions.
   • TBR Management: Regularly curate and declutter the TBR list by gifting or donating books that no longer interest her.

   Notable Quote:
   "Use 2025 as a fresh start and maybe whittle down your TBR list to the books that you know you're going to make time for."
   — Annie Jones [56:50]

Conclusion

In this episode of From the Front Porch, Annie Jones adeptly addresses diverse reading challenges faced by her listeners, offering tailored advice and thoughtful book recommendations. From adjusting reading goals to managing TBR lists and finding the right genres, Annie's insights aim to inspire and support listeners in cultivating a fulfilling reading life amidst various personal and professional demands.

Notable Quotes from Annie Jones

• "Quality over quantity... Sometimes you just want to read. It has nothing to do with numeric goals and it just has to do with not being in a reading slump."
  — [10:15]

• "Leaning into what they already like... sometimes we don't let kids like what they want to. Let grownups be into what they like."
  — [37:10]

• "A book that you can easily pick up and put down is helpful."
  — [42:00]

• "Mixing up how you read the formats in which you read... audiobooks are a great way to give your eyes a rest."
  — [50:15]

• "Use 2025 as a fresh start and maybe whittle down your TBR list to the books that you know you're going to make time for."
  — [56:50]

Recommended Listening

For more personalized advice and book recommendations, tune into From the Front Porch every Thursday, produced by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. Follow the bookstore's daily activities on Instagram @bookshelftownville and purchase books featured in episodes directly through their website: bookshelfthomasville.com.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 512, capturing the essence of listener interactions and the host's thoughtful recommendations to foster a vibrant reading life.