From the Front Porch – Episode 562

Unsung Books of 2025
Host: Annie Jones (owner, The Bookshelf Thomasville)
Release Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

To ring in the new year, Annie Jones turns her attention backward, reflecting on notable 2025 releases that didn’t make the usual “Best Of” lists or simply didn’t get enough airtime on the podcast. Annie clarifies: these aren't always five-star rave reads or universal bestsellers—some were lauded by critics or even award-nominated, but all left Annie wishing she’d talked more about them. She offers personal context for how each title got missed and why it stands out, covering a range of genres and tones along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why "Unsung"? [~02:30–06:45]

• Not all favorite books get the spotlight due to timing (such as late-year releases), missed advance copies, or simply flying under Annie’s radar.
  • “If I don’t get an early copy, I might have a hard time getting to it. … By the time it releases, I’ve moved on to another season of reading.” — Annie [04:30]

2. Detailed Reviews & Insights on Each “Unsung” Title

Lightbreakers by Asia Gable [06:45–22:30]

• Anticipated but overlooked due to no advanced copy and a dense publisher blurb.
• Persuaded by Hunter McClendon’s passion; ended up loving it.
• Premise: Blends science fiction, dysfunctional family drama, the art world, and marriage.
  • Main characters: Maya (artist), Noah (physicist), Eileen (Noah’s ex-wife).
  • Set in Marfa, Texas around a secretive time travel project.
• Themes: Marriage, grief, nostalgia, consequences of looking back.
• “What she is doing here is honestly remarkable.” — Annie [11:35]
• Warning: Deals with child death in a nuanced, emotionally tough way.
• Comparisons: Blake Crouch, Zoshiel González for mix of relationship and speculative elements; Lauren Groff, Wallace Stegner for nuanced marital dynamics.
• Audiobook praised: “The audiobook is fantastic.” [09:37]
• “I don't know why…this one hasn’t been more places. … She has created something really outstanding.” — Annie [13:42]
• Annie: One of her favorite reads of 2025, only missed her top ten because of timing.

Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood [22:30–33:33]

• Critically recognized, even Booker-shortlisted, but Annie hadn’t picked it up until late.
• Premise: Unnamed Australian narrator takes a personal retreat at a convent after a personal/professional fallout.
• Resonated with Annie because of her own convent retreat experience:
  • “I took a personal retreat to a convent back in 2024, so I was immediately intrigued by this premise.” [27:50]
• Describes book as “Matrix by Lauren Groff meets Millennial Nuns and Memorial Days” for its blend of convent life, sisterhood, nature writing, and introspection.
• Quiet, atmospheric, with subtle plot development; especially suited for winter reading.
  • “A book will find you when it’s meant to.” — Annie [32:31]

Before I Forget by Tori Henwood Hoen [33:34–42:15]

• Late-year (December) releases rarely get their due; Annie made it a subscription pick to highlight it.
• Premise: Cricket (late 20s/30s) deals with her father’s early-onset Alzheimer’s at their family lake house in the Adirondacks.
  • Mix of father-daughter relationship, healing, and grappling with adulthood.
• "It's like a Hallmark movie without a Christmas theme and, like, a little deeper." [39:56]
• Comp titles: Carly Fortune (same locale, vibe), Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.
• Described as both whimsical and genuinely affecting, especially the relationship dynamics.

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Motley [42:16–48:30]

• June release, potentially overlooked due to Annie’s “baby hibernation.”
• Premise: Follows teenage mothers in Florida Panhandle; told through multiple voices.
• Praised for authentic Southern/Floridian dialogue and atmosphere.
  • “So often I feel like people are writing about Florida who have either never been there or they've never lived there. … I read it and thought [the author] had to be [from there].” [44:53]
• Explores coming of age, motherhood, and community with empathy.
• Suitable for summer reading but recommended anytime.

So Far Gone by Jess Walter [48:31–52:53]

• Another June release; Annie highlights its broader appeal.
• Premise: Rhys, estranged from family, is suddenly tasked with caring for his grandchildren and embarks on a road trip across the Pacific Northwest.
• “So Far Gone is like The Road to Tender Hearts’ darker cousin.” [50:02]
• Humor, suspense, and family reconciliation themes.
• Comp titles: Road to Tender Hearts, S.A. Cosby (“less violent”).
• “My dad would probably love this book. I loved this book.” [51:13]

Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt [52:54–57:37]

• June title Annie didn’t pick for book subscription but felt deserved more attention.
• Premise: Two long-time male friends and families reunite for a birthday weekend at a country house. Tense, slow-building, character-driven.
• “The friendship to me seems immediately like the defining relationship rather than the men’s marriages. … You, as the reader, immediately know, okay, this is not a book about marriage, this is a book about friendship.” [55:19]
• Comparable to The Paper Palace and The Dinner for its suspense and setting.
• Annie: “I wish I owned a copy ... the cover is so striking.” [57:01]

Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky [57:38–end]

• A quirky, surreal, short novel perfect in its brevity.
• Premise: A disastrous first date is interrupted by a hot air balloon crash, leading to chaos and bizarre character dynamics (lots of “J” names on purpose).
• “If you are a plot-driven reader, do not read this. It is not for you. But if you are familiar with Marcy Dermansky’s work ... you’ll like this.” [59:30]
• Laughed throughout; celebrates the delightfully weird.
  • “Not a lot of people are doing weird. … Not enough people did weird in 2025.” [01:00:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why books get missed:
  “When you’re bookselling, you are, in my mind, reading so much on a timeline.” — Annie [04:16]

• On trusting a buzzed-about novel:
  “Hunter discussed this one on our best books of 2025 … finally I was like, okay, I gotta read this book. I love Asia Gable. What am I doing?” — Annie [09:23]

• On handling heavy content:
  “I have read some heavy books this year... there was a moment where I was like, well, is Asia Gable an artist? ... Because of the detail with which she was drawing these characters ... The way she writes about these is fascinating to me.” [13:02]

• On winter reading:
  “As much as I wish I had read it last winter ... the good news for you is it is a great winter book. We’re smack dab in the middle of winter right now.” — Annie [32:10]

• On quirky fiction:
  “If you need a quirky, short, weird book with interesting characters, then I think you should pick up Hot Air by Marci Dermansky." [01:00:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–06:45: Introduction & criteria for "unsung" books
• 06:45–22:30: Lightbreakers by Asia Gable
• 22:30–33:33: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
• 33:34–42:15: Before I Forget by Tori Henwood Hoen
• 42:16–48:30: The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Motley
• 48:31–52:53: So Far Gone by Jess Walter
• 52:54–57:37: Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt
• 57:38–End: Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky & final list recap

Annie’s “Unsung Books of 2025” List

1. Lightbreakers by Asia Gable
2. Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
3. Before I Forget by Tori Henwood Hoen
4. The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Motley
5. So Far Gone by Jess Walter
6. Among Friends by Hal Ebbitt
7. Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky

Closing & Call to Action

• All books can be found at Bookshelf Thomasville’s website (search for episode 562).
• Annie encourages listeners to share their own unsung picks (@Bookshelftville on Instagram).
• Next up: Annie’s current reading (The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller).

Tone: Warm, conversational, candid, with a Southern bookseller’s blend of literary enthusiasm, gentle realism, and personal storytelling.