From the Front Porch Podcast Episode 536: Best Books of the Year (So Far) with Hunter McLendon

Release Date: July 3, 2025
Host/Author: The Bookshelf Thomasville

Welcome to Episode 536 of From the Front Porch, a conversational podcast produced by The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia. In this episode, host Annie Jones is joined by her friend and frequent co-host Hunter McLendon to discuss their favorite books of the year up to mid-2025.

1. Reflecting on the Year’s Reading Habits

Annie and Hunter kick off the conversation by reflecting on their reading habits for the year. They acknowledge how personal lives and emotional states significantly impact their reading experiences.

Annie Jones [03:15]:
"But now that life doesn't necessarily look like that, I think sometimes we just take for granted that our reading lives are definitely affected by what's going on in our personal lives."

Hunter McLendon [02:32]:
"My first month was great. I read like almost 20 books and I loved most of them. And then I was just, I think, this feeling of like you start to get stressed out and then like when you're stressed out, like life is like reading is not as fun."

2. Curating the Top 10 Lists

Annie shares her method of selecting top books by referring to her Instagram following, specifically her five-star reads. She emphasizes the challenge of narrowing down a vast reading list to just ten favorites.

Annie Jones [04:31]:
"I went to my Annie's five star reads Instagram, and I just looked at anything that was five stars or anything I still really had fond feelings for. And I made a list..."

3. Highlights and Surprises

The hosts delve into specific books that stood out to them, both positively and negatively.

• First Five-Star Reads:

  • Hunter: Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
    Hunter McLendon [08:39]:
    "Mine was Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett."

  • Annie: Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
    Annie Jones [08:45]:
    "When your attention is divided, short stories are the answer, my friends. Don't be intimidated by short stories."

• Most Surprising Books:

  • Hunter: Exit Zero by Marie Helene Bertino
    Hunter McLendon [10:09]:
    "There’s this one story about a haunted bag of peaches that has stayed with me and it's like, it's so good."

  • Annie: Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowo
    Annie Jones [10:16]:
    "It's a history of the state of Alabama, but it's told through her perspective as a second-generation immigrant."

• Least Favorite Books:

  • Hunter: When the Harvest Comes by Denny Michelle Norris
    Hunter McLendon [12:05]:
    "I loved the first half, but the second half just kind of made me, like, meh about it."

  • Annie: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
    Annie Jones [13:10]:
    "There were so many song lyrics in this book, Suzanne Collins could write her own lyrics collection."

4. Top 10 Lists

Both Annie and Hunter present their top 10 books of the year so far, providing brief insights and reasons for their selections.

Annie Jones’ Top 10

1. Tilt by Emma Patty
   A post-apocalyptic novel about a pregnant woman navigating survival challenges.

2. Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
   A collection of short stories exploring diverse themes with exceptional craftsmanship.

3. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green
   A thought-provoking exploration of illness and human resilience.

4. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
   A deeply emotional narrative intertwining personal relationships and societal issues.

5. Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
   A heartfelt memoir reflecting on grief and the bureaucratic aftermath of loss.

6. Play World by Adam Ross
   A coming-of-age story set in 1970s New York, reminiscent of "Catcher in the Rye."
   Annie Jones [22:48]:
   "It's about a boy living in New York. He's a child actor in the 1970s."

7. Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt Ebbott
   An intricately constructed novel delving into complex friendships.

8. Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
   Feel-good fiction with depth, featuring quirky and grounded characters.

9. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green
   A journey through illness with poignant insights.

10. Absolute Favorites
    A surprise selection reflecting Annie’s evolving preferences.

Hunter McLendon’s Top 10

1. Audition by Katie Kitamura
   A compelling narrative with unexpected shifts that redefine the story’s perspective.
   Hunter McLendon [61:08]:
   "It reminds me a little of 'Fates and Furies' and how it's not like a twist in a 'Gone Girl' sense, but it is a shift in perspective."

2. Ordinary Time by Annie Jones
   A comforting read filled with wisdom, insight, humor, and compassion.
   Hunter McLendon [58:15]:
   "It's so comforting. It feels like the same comfort I got from Apex's Masterclass videos."

3. Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
   A beautifully written exploration of personal and familial dynamics.

4. Open Heaven by Sean Hewitt
   A tender coming-of-age story narrated by the voice of a beloved character.

5. Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt Ebbott
   An intricately constructed narrative exploring deep friendships.

6. Wilderness by Angela Flourney
   A novel about lasting friendships among a group of black women over 20 years, noted for its non-linear structure and depth.

7. Perfection by Vincenzo Lachenico
   A concise yet profound examination of social media’s impact on personal relationships.

8. Flashlight by Susan Choi
   A multifaceted exploration of generational trauma and historical context.

9. Exit Zero by Marie Helene Bertino
   A magical realist short story collection that delves into human experiences with fantastical elements.

10. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green
    A poignant and insightful look into illness and human resilience.

5. Interactions with Authors and Inspirations

Throughout the episode, Annie and Hunter share personal anecdotes about meeting authors and the possibility of their stories being inspired or influenced by these interactions.

Annie Jones [20:52]:
"One of my very first book events, Jocelyn Jackson came for an event, and we went out to dinner. I made a comment about a hymn, and Jocelyn took that idea for her writing."

Hunter McLendon [19:59]:
"At the National Book Awards, I was in a group of writers, and two of them literally said, 'I'm stealing that.'"

They discuss the delicate balance between sharing creative ideas and the fear of having those ideas appropriated.

6. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Annie and Hunter encourage listeners to explore the books they've discussed and to follow their reading journeys through various platforms.

Annie Jones [65:11]:
"These are our top 10 of the year so far, despite our apprehension at the beginning of the episode. You can find the full lists in our show notes."

They also mention upcoming selections for fall releases and express excitement for the remaining months of the year.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Annie Jones [03:15]:
  "But now that life doesn't necessarily look like that, I think sometimes we just take for granted that our reading lives are definitely affected by what's going on in our personal lives."

• Hunter McLendon [02:32]:
  "My first month was great. I read like almost 20 books and I loved most of them. And then I was just, I think, this feeling of like you start to get stressed out and then like when you're stressed out, like life is like reading is not as fun."

• Annie Jones [04:31]:
  "I went to my Annie's five star reads Instagram, and I just looked at anything that was five stars or anything I still really had fond feelings for. And I made a list..."

• Hunter McLendon [61:08]:
  "It reminds me a little of 'Fates and Furies' and how it's not like a twist in a 'Gone Girl' sense, but it is a shift in perspective."

Conclusion

Episode 536 of From the Front Porch offers a heartfelt and insightful discussion between Annie Jones and Hunter McLendon as they navigate their favorite reads of the year. Their candid conversations about the influence of personal lives on reading habits, coupled with detailed reviews of their top book selections, provide listeners with both recommendations and relatable experiences. Whether you're a fellow book enthusiast or someone looking for your next great read, this episode is a treasure trove of literary insights.

Don't forget to visit bookshelfthomasville.com to purchase any of the books discussed and follow The Bookshelf on Instagram @bookshelf_tville for more updates.