Episode Summary: From the Front Porch | Episode 557 || November Reading Recap

Host: Annie Jones
Date: November 27, 2025
Produced by: The Bookshelf (Thomasville, GA)

Overview

In this episode, Annie Jones, owner of The Bookshelf, shares her November reading recap—a tradition in which she discusses the books she read during the month and reflects on her reading patterns amid the busy holiday retail season. Despite November typically being her "worst reading month," Annie brings a range of titles, from advanced reader copies to highly anticipated releases and seasonal favorites. She offers thoughtful critiques, personal anecdotes, and recommendations for various reader tastes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality of November Reading (03:10)

• Why it's a tough month: Annie acknowledges that November is historically a low reading month for her—busy with store events, decorating for Christmas, and even adjusting to having a new baby.
• Quote:
  “November is just a hard month for me. And I think it is because...this is certainly when things pick up at The Bookshelf...we are cramming a whole lot of events into this last part of the year.” (04:56)

2. "The Midnight Show" by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (05:50)

• Release: April 2026 (ARC)
• Premise: A “Daisy Jones & the Six”-style oral history centered around New York comedians in the ‘70s and ‘80s, modeled after SNL, following the mysterious disappearance of a star named Lillian.
• Comparisons:
  • Daisy Jones & the Six
  • Listen for the Lie
  • “Saturday Night Live” vibes
• Highlights:
  • Enjoyed the oral history format and historically accurate feel.
  • Appreciated the feminist themes, multi-voice storytelling, and look at comedy’s evolution.
• Quote:
  “It is Listen for the Lie meets Daisy Jones and the Six meets Live from New York...very accurate portrayals.” (06:27)
• Potential: High buzz anticipated, direct comp for SNL fans.

3. "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes (10:12)

• Personal Project: Selected for “Conquer a Classic 2025” with co-reader Hunter.
• Experience:
  • Not her favorite, but the process of reading was grounding and spiritually rewarding, especially during personal upheaval.
  • Found the vignette structure repetitive and humor too slapstick for her taste.
  • Enjoyed the cultural references she now understands.
• Quote:
  “I've talked about almost the spiritual nature of it, but especially this year when my life felt in upheaval, it was really nice to...still read Don Quixote and still meet with Hunter.” (11:18)
• Retrospective: Proud to have finished and looks forward to next year’s classic: Flannery O’Connor’s short stories.

4. "Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke (15:05)

• Release: April 7, 2026 (ARC)
• Premise: A “tradwife influencer” wakes up in the 1800s, leading to a suspenseful, unreliable narrative reminiscent of "Gone Girl."
• Industry Buzz:
  • Marketed as the must-read debut of 2026.
  • Expected to be “a Reese Witherspoon pick” and fast-tracked for adaptation (Anne Hathaway rumored).
  • Mixed expectations—“liked” but didn’t “love”; sees it as deeply “of the moment.”
• Quote:
  “I couldn't stop reading. That's what I will say. I could not stop reading.” (22:28)
• Comparisons:
  • “Gone Girl” for narrator style
  • Recent trends of books inspired by social media culture
• Note: Reader experience may differ if familiar with the influencer world.

5. "Rec" by Kathryn Newman (ad break skipped; resumes at 27:20)

• Standalone: Sequel to “Sandwich,” but can be read on its own.
• Themes: Midlife, aging, American healthcare, family dynamics, and marriage.
• Tone: Wry, witty, deeply perceptive about adult relationships and parental responsibilities.
• Food Writing: Particularly praised for evocative food descriptions.
• Quote:
  “I actually think Kathryn Newman is the, perhaps the closest thing we have to a Nora Ephron, to a Laurie Colwyn...the food writing is so good.” (30:15)
• Comparison: If you loved “Sandwich,” you’ll like this; compared favorably to Dani Shapiro’s “Signal Fires.”

6. "How to Survive in the Woods" by Kat Rosenfield (35:35)

• Release: March 10, 2026 (ARC)
• Premise: Emma Sharp, a startup founder recovering from a mental health crisis, hikes the Appalachian Trail with her controlling fiancé and faces life-or-death stakes.
• Mood: Fast-paced, twisty, and “whiplash of plot twists”—not perfect, but highly entertaining.
• Quote:
  “This book took so many twists and turns, I barely could keep them straight. Was it entertaining? Highly.” (37:00)
• Comparison: Reminiscent of "Sleeping with the Enemy" and thrillers like “Night Watch” and “Heartwood.”

7. "The Land of Sweet Forever" by Harper Lee (39:48)

• Work: Posthumously published collection of essays and short stories, introduced by Casey Cep.
• Debate: Ethical complexities of publishing “discovered” works; Annie is conflicted but appreciates their literary historic value.
• Audience: Best for devoted Harper Lee fans, Southern literature aficionados, and those interested in literary process.
• Quote:
  “Readers are complicated. Writers are interesting. Did [the collection] make me laugh out loud? In parts, yes.” (45:36)
• Note: If you aren’t a Harper Lee fan already, you can skip; good supplemental read for classrooms.

8. "Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon" by Matthew Norman (50:32)

• Format: Audiobook
• Premise: Two people grieving late spouses connect over holiday movies, leading to unexpected friendship and healing.
• Praise:
  • Heartfelt, funny, with real emotional depth.
  • Strongly recommended as a standout holiday romance; compared to her “Mount Rushmore” of the genre.
• Quote:
  "I listened to this every chance I got, which has not happened for me with an audiobook in a long time. The narration is great, the storytelling is wonderful... Five stars." (53:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Annie on holiday reading:
  “I've read some real duds...not every holiday romance rom com is created equal.” (50:37)
• On the pressures of influencer culture in fiction:
  “My expectations were way too high. I think some people will love it and at minimum I think we'll hear a lot about it just because it certainly is an of the moment kind of book.” (22:44)
• Literary food writing shoutout:
  “The food writing is so good. And I was reading this book...I picked up on just how many food references there are.” (31:57)
• On the enduring feeling post-classics:
  “Now I see Don Quixote references everywhere. And I love feeling like I'm in on the joke...” (13:13)
• On publishing “lost” works:
  “Should these have been written? Of course...should they have been published? Eh...” (41:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:10 – Reflections on November as a reading month
• 05:50 – "The Midnight Show" by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne
• 10:12 – "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes
• 15:05 – "Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke
• 27:20 – "Rec" by Kathryn Newman
• 35:35 – "How to Survive in the Woods" by Kat Rosenfield
• 39:48 – "The Land of Sweet Forever" by Harper Lee
• 50:32 – "Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon" by Matthew Norman

Final Thoughts

Annie’s reading recap provides more than just book reviews; her thoughtful narration, personal context, and industry insights enrich each recommendation. Whether you're searching for the next big debut, a cozy holiday romance, literary history, or a twisty thriller, Annie’s roundup offers genuine, balanced perspectives for a variety of readers.