From the Front Porch

Episode 532 || June 2025 New Release Rundown

Introduction and Podcast Schedule Update

Annie Jones, the owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia, opens the episode with an important announcement about the podcast's schedule. Due to multiple team members, including herself and Olivia, going on maternity leave, they have pre-recorded several episodes to ensure continuity. Annie explains, "multiple people here are going on maternity leave, and so I am recording a bunch of episodes early so that I can take a little bit of time off" (02:26). She assures listeners that while the "New Release Rundown" will pause until September, the podcast will continue with other engaging content over the summer.

June New Releases Overview

The trio—Annie Jones, Olivia (Operations Manager), and Erin (Online Sales Manager)—delve into their top picks for June’s book releases. Erin facilitates the selection process, making it easy for listeners to browse and purchase the featured books through their website, bookshelfthomasville.com, using the promo code "NewReleasePlease" for a 10% discount.

1. Flashlight by Susan Choi

Overview:
Annie introduces Flashlight as a captivating blend of mystery and historical fiction. The story revolves around Luisa and her father vacationing in Japan, where a mysterious event leads to Luisa being found barely alive and her father missing.

Insights:
Annie praises Susan Choi's storytelling prowess, highlighting the novel's intricate narrative structure that weaves between different timeframes and perspectives. She remarks, "I fully understand Susan Choi's genius" (08:53), appreciating how the book delves into the history of Japan and the dynamics of trauma within a family.

Notable Quote:
"For a mind given to buzzing, anxious distraction, a clear sense of desire was like the edge of a pool, a thing off which she could push" (00:24).

2. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

Overview:
Hal Ebbitt discusses The Ghostwriter, a thrilling tale about Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter who becomes entangled in a dangerous situation when she is hired to write the memoirs of Vincent Taylor, an infamous horror writer with a dark past.

Insights:
Hal emphasizes the book's fast pace and compelling character development, noting, "I loved every second of it... It's all from Olivia's book point of view" (09:16). The narrative explores themes of identity, secrecy, and familial ties, especially as Olivia discovers she is Vincent's daughter.

Notable Quote:
"He's about to lose his house, and he's essentially been blacklisted from the market because he used her voice and called out another writer." (09:50).

3. A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

Overview:
Erin introduces A Family Matter, a dual-timeline novel set in 1980s Britain and 2022, focusing on Dawn and her journey through love, betrayal, and family secrets.

Insights:
The book explores the complexities of sibling relationships and societal expectations, especially concerning same-sex relationships in the 1980s. Annie comments on the historical context, saying, "the author even goes into it in a very interesting author's note at the end about like the legal system in Britain at the time" (17:15).

Notable Quote:
"This book is about like the shelf life of love. Like, how long of a shelf life does love have?" (19:00).

4. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Overview:
Annie presents Atmosphere, a novel centered on Joan Godwin, an astronomer recruited by NASA, balancing high-stakes space missions with personal relationships and character development.

Insights:
The book is praised for its concise storytelling and engaging plot, blending elements of space adventure with romance. Annie notes, "There is a lot of character development... There are also some really lovely familial relationships" (23:35).

Notable Quote:
"This book is really Joan's story to tell. The subtitle I believe in this book is a love story." (24:05).

5. The King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

Overview:
Hal introduces The King of Ashes, a gripping narrative about the Carruthers siblings dealing with their father's coma following a suspicious car accident and their youngest brother Dante's entanglement with a ruthless gang.

Insights:
The novel is highlighted for its intense plot and complex characters, drawing comparisons to classic mafia tales. Hal shares, "If the Godfather had been more like this, I would have loved that movie... it's really well done" (33:04).

Notable Quote:
"Roman's like, I'm going to get in there, make an in with them, and then just kill them all." (31:50).

6. Category Summer by Emily Atami

Overview:
Erin discusses Category Summer, a story of three Japanese sisters reuniting in a small village to support their pop star sister, Ayana, who faces public scandal.

Insights:
The novel delves into family dynamics, societal pressures, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of traditional Japanese culture. Annie expresses excitement about the book’s exploration of sisterly bonds, "If you love family dynamics, especially three sisters. I always love a sister dynamic." (35:35).

Notable Quote:
"It's a Japanese shaved ice dessert... it's like a snow cone summer or something like that." (35:35).

7. Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt

Overview:
Hal discusses his debut novel, Among Friends, which follows lifelong friends Emerson and Amos navigating tensions during Emerson's 50th birthday weekend at a country house.

Insights:
The book is described as a slow burn with simmering intensity, perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and suspense. Hal remarks, "It's a simmering intensity that I really enjoyed... it's a slow burn that kept me turning the page." (33:52).

Notable Quote:
"It's a simmering intensity that I really enjoyed. Again, mostly set over the course of one weekend in the country for Emerson's 50th birthday." (33:52).

8. Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlich

Overview:
Erin covers Poppy Fields, a novel about a controversial treatment center that uses induced comas to alleviate grief, following three individuals on their journey to the center.

Insights:
The story explores ethical dilemmas surrounding grief management and personal healing, interwoven with the characters' backstories and motivations. Erin highlights, "I didn't want three people who are just grieving on a road trip... but that is not what Nikki Erlich did." (48:48).

Notable Quote:
"They are struggling with deep grief of any kind and go to this treatment center where they enter an induced coma to lessen their grief." (48:48).

9. Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Duchess

Overview:
Erin introduces Welcome to Murder Week, a cozy murder mystery set in the Peak District of England, where Cath embarks on an immersive murder mystery experience to cope with her mother's recent passing.

Insights:
The novel combines elements of mystery and personal healing, offering a heartwarming and engaging read. Erin notes, "It's a truly heartwarming book. But it's also the mystery, the murder mystery aspect of it" (51:48).

Notable Quote:
"Cath calls, she can't get a refund for the trip, so she decides, like, what the heck, like, I might as well go." (51:57).

Closing Remarks

Annie encourages listeners to purchase the featured books through their website using the provided promo code and reminds them of the upcoming schedule changes. She also shares her current reading choice, Audition by Katie Kitamura, while Hal and Erin mention their own reads, fostering a sense of community and ongoing engagement with their audience.

Support and Further Information

For more details on the books discussed, including purchasing options and additional recommendations, visit bookshelfthomasville.com. To support the podcast, listeners are encouraged to leave reviews on Apple Podcasts and consider supporting through Patreon for exclusive benefits.

Note: Advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary as per the request.