From the Front Porch – Episode 549

October 2025 New Release Rundown

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Annie Jones
Guest: Aaron (The Bookshelf Thomasville’s online sales manager)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Annie and Aaron share their top picks for October 2025’s notable new book releases, ranging from climate fiction to debut poetry, historical nonfiction, and family-focused literary fiction. The conversation blends bookseller insight, personal anecdotes, and vibrant enthusiasm—offering listeners a curated guide to what’s worth reading this month.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Podcast/Bookstore Updates & Olivia’s Return

• Annie updates listeners on Patreon offerings (like the “Conquer a Classic” series) and briefly jokes about 2025 being “a weird year on Patreon because of, you know, babies” [01:49].
• Olivia, a beloved podcast regular, is out this month post-maternity leave but scheduled to return in November [03:09].

  “It's like when those astronauts, you know, when they return to earth, they kind of keep them in like quarantine for a while till they feel ready to go back out. I feel like that's what she's going through right now.” – Aaron [04:00]

2. October 2025 Bookseller Picks

A. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

• Release: October 14
• Summary: Climate fiction set in near-future Calcutta over seven days. Ma, a caregiver running a shelter, seeks a new life in Michigan. After receiving climate refugee passports, they’re stolen by a local teen, Boomba, who discovers Ma may not be as upstanding as she seems.
  • Grapples with moral dilemmas, survival, and blurred lines between hero and thief.
  • Short enough to read in one or two sittings despite heavy themes.
  • Features a striking, autumnal cover, making it visually appealing for display or gifting.

  “She [Majumdar] was called by Kirkus ‘the master of the moral dilemma,’ which was certainly true of A Burning, and I think it's going to be true of this book.” – Annie Jones [05:26] “...the Guardian isn’t quite what she seems and the thief isn’t quite what he seems.” – Annie [07:17]

B. Bog Queen by Anna North

• Release: October 14
• Summary: Genre-bending novel featuring Agnes, a forensic anthropologist called to examine an ancient bog body, and The Druid of Barida in ancient Celtic Europe. The bog itself is a narrative voice, linking timelines and reflecting on humanity.
  • Blends modern investigation with ancient history and myth.
  • For readers who enjoy dual timelines, archaeological intrigue, or “literary cousins to We Keep the Dead Close.”

  “The bog itself is also a character. Like, the bog speaks…the bog gets to observe human behavior and all, think about all the things that have happened during just over thousands of years.” – Aaron [12:49] “If anyone listening reads this book before me, please let me know what you think about it because I’m curious to see how people enjoy that sort of dual pov, that dual timeline.” – Aaron [13:18]

C. Same by Hannah Rosenberg

• Release: October 21
• Summary: Debut poetry collection by popular Instagram poet Hannah Rosenberg (@hannahrowrites). Accessible, contemporary poems often themed around friendship, womanhood, and the beauty in everyday moments.
  • Great as a gift; ideal for fans of Kate Baer, Lindsay Rush, or “Poetry is not a Luxury.”

  “I think this is one you should share with friends and family this holiday season. …I love gifting poetry because I feel like a lot of people are intimidated by poetry on their own. But if…it's just sitting on their nightstand or sitting on their coffee table, pick it up, flip through it, read a poem or two.” – Annie [18:08]

  • Annie shares she uses Rosenberg’s poems for monthly reflection and appreciates poetry’s greater accessibility thanks to social media [19:42].

D. Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution by Amanda Vale

• Release: October 21
• Summary: Expansive yet readable 700+ page historical nonfiction about the Schuyler sisters, bringing fresh perspective to their roles in the founding of America. Pulls from letters/history and resists academic stuffiness.
  • Timely and approachable for Hamilton fans or those curious about women’s influence in the early U.S.

  “It’s showing how their story fits into the whole story of the US as a whole. But I am excited to finish this… it’s so readable… it’s not stuffy. It doesn’t feel academic, although it’s very well researched.” – Aaron [21:53]

  • Annie appreciates that this “deep dive” is written by a woman and focuses on women’s perspectives [24:59].

E. Wreck by Kathryn Newman

• Release: October 28
• Summary: Autumnal follow-up to Newman’s “Sandwich,” following the same family through new challenges, with signature humor and deep emotional resonance. Rocky, the central character, deals with aging parents, adult children, and obsesses over a local accident.
  • Recommended to read “Sandwich” first for full effect, though “Wreck” stands alone.

  “If you want excellent writing but you also want a compelling story about a family, then I think you will really like Wreck. I think you should read Sandwich first.” – Annie [29:24]

  • Discusses the appeal of duologies or linked seasonal novels in creating a “universe” à la Elizabeth Strout [29:47].

F. The Devil is a Southpaw by Brandon Hobson

• Release: October 28
• Summary: Novel-within-a-novel structure, set in a Cherokee Nation youth detention center. Explores injustice, jealousy, Indigenous identity, art, and trauma, with potential autobiographical notes by the author, himself Cherokee.
  • Noteworthy for its original illustrations, possibly by the author.

  “This is a very interesting book. It is a novel within a novel…Based on what I know about the author… it feels like it might be slightly autobiographical fiction, just slightly.” – Aaron [31:17]

  • Annie plugs “Soft as Bones,” a memoir about Indigenous family trauma, for listeners interested in similar themes [34:22].

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Olivia’s Return:

  “I cannot remember if in September reading rundown I promised people the voice of Olivia would be back in October. And I think still want people to panic… She has started back as of this recording part time...she will be back on this podcast in November. So nobody panic.” – Annie [02:59]

• On Book Formats & Industry Frustrations:

  “The deep hold that Amazon has on every aspect of this industry—and the fact that I can read arcs more quickly electronically on an Amazon owned device is infuriating, to be honest.” – Annie [08:05]

• On Poetry & Social Media:

  “I am probably just like everybody else struggling with social media and like how much time I spend there and what my feed is filled with. But one real perk… is…poetry. Thanks to accounts posting, even poetry from long ago or writers posting their current poetry, it’s just right there. Like, you don’t have to go anywhere else for it.” – Annie [19:42]

• On Women’s Role in History:

  “It just shows how much impact women had and still have to this day, I think, on things that were happening in that country, they were able to influence it by influencing the men that were making the decisions.” – Aaron [22:47]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Olivia Update & Patreon Announcements: [02:59–04:32]
• How to find episode books online + Coupon code: [04:11–04:49]
• A Guardian and a Thief (Majumdar): [04:51–09:38]
• Bog Queen (North): [10:09–13:35]
• Dual timeline books & Bookish comparisons: [16:13–16:33]
• Same (Rosenberg): [16:34–19:23]
• Pride and Pleasure (Vale): [20:37–24:59]
• Wreck (Newman): [25:23–31:08]
• The Devil is a Southpaw (Hobson): [31:10–34:22]
• Book by another indigenous author—Soft as Bones: [34:22–35:18]
• Summary/Outro: Where to find books, coupon code, recommended events in Thomasville: [35:40–37:43]

Tone and Style

The conversation is cozy, enthusiastic, and informed by the real-life experiences of independent booksellers in the South. Annie and Aaron offer insight tailored for fellow book lovers (“if you read like Nancy, you might enjoy this book”), provide practical recommendations (use the coupon code, shop local), and openly share their excitement—plus a little irreverent industry commentary (“Publishing is a little bit lacking. It’s behind the times as an industry.” – Annie [23:48]).

Summary Table: October 2025 New Release Picks

| Book Title | Author | Release Date | Genre/Theme | Annie/Aaron’s Take | |------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | A Guardian and a Thief | Megha Majumdar | Oct 14 | Climate fiction, moral dilemmas| “Highly anticipated,” “master of moral dilemma” | | Bog Queen | Anna North | Oct 14 | Dual timeline, myth/archaeology| “Everywhere,” “the bog speaks as character” | | Same | Hannah Rosenberg | Oct 21 | Debut poetry | “Giftable, Instagram-famous, accessible” | | Pride and Pleasure | Amanda Vale | Oct 21 | Nonfiction, history, women | “Readable, feminist, great for Hamilton fans”| | Wreck | Kathryn Newman | Oct 28 | Family fiction, sequel | “Beautiful writing, relatable, funny” | | The Devil is a Southpaw | Brandon Hobson | Oct 28 | Indigenous fiction, coming-of-age | “Novel within a novel, art, justice” |

Recommendation

If you’re looking for October’s standout releases across genres—climate fiction, poetic debuts, insightful historical narratives, and complex literary novels—this episode offers a warm and candid roadmap, directly from the heart of the indie bookstore world.

Tip: Use the code "new releaseplease" for 10% off these titles at bookshelfthomasville.com (search for Episode 549 to view the collection).

For further details or the transcript, visit FromTheFrontPorchPodcast.com.
Follow Annie, Aaron, and The Bookshelf on Instagram: @bookshelftville